Chapter 14
From the corner of the room, Fabian leaned forward to crush out his cigarette.
His profile was perfect, his fingers long and elegant–enough to draw eyes. He stood up, his tall frame moving toward them. One hand settled lightly on Chesca’s shoulder.
“Time to go home.”
The room fell silent.
No one expected Fabian to be such a poor sport. Wasn’t he supposed to not care about Chesca?
Besides, Zeno was a man with boundaries–just a few ambiguous words hardly amounted to poaching Fabian’s treasure. Why such an overreaction?
He didn’t even react like this to her, that woman from back then.
Amazing what a marriage certificate does!
Everyone assumed that with Fabian making this concession, Chesca would obediently follow him home, slipping into the role of the perfect wife again, wisely turning a blind eye to Fabian’s indiscretions.
Surprisingly, Chesca wasn’t playing along.
She gently brushed Fabian’s hand away, her voice soft and smooth. “It’s my friend’s birthday, and the night’s not over. If you want to leave, go ahead yourself.”
Fabian’s dark eyes deepéned ominously.
The room grew even quieter as everyone recognized the warning signs of Fabian’s anger.
Though they were all childhood friends, Fabian occupied a different status. Leshine dominated New York’s business landscape.
Nice Tru Mr D DaFL
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And Fabian himself, despite his refined appearance, was known for his ruthless methods.
No one dare offend him.
And yet–tonight was full of surprises.
Zeno Cortez leaned back on the couch, casually spinning the King card between his fingers, smiling faintly. “Come on, Fabian. Just play with us.”
Fabian looked at Zeno.
The gold pen Chesca had given him was conspicuously pinned to his suit pocket, glaringly obvious–practically a declaration of war against her lawful husband.
Was Zeno out of his mind? With so many business interests between them, Zeno shouldn’t
be setting his sights on Chesca.
Fabian’s lips curved in a cold smile. “Married people have other activities to attend to.”
He looked down at Chesca. “Let’s go.”
Chesca knew that if she didn’t leave with Fabian now, he might cause a scene she’d never forget. She stood up, prepared to leave, though her heart remained unmoved.
This brand of dominance? That only worked on naive girls.
She, Chesca, was a free woman now–the wise never fall into love’s trap.
In the next moment, Fabian grabbed Chesca’s hand, his possessiveness so intense even a blind person could feel it.
Everyone in the room was stunned…
Chesca felt embarrassed. “Fabian, you don’t need to do this.”
But Fabian gripped her hand even tighter.
As the couple made their way to the door in this half–willing manner, Zeno’s detached voice came from behind. “As a divorce attorney, I’ve always wanted to ask Chesca why she wants
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to divorce Fabian.”
Silence permeated every corner of the room.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Zeno’s expression was serious, as if presiding over a solemn court judgment of a couple’s future, rather than at his lavish birthday celebration.
Everyone thought Zeno had lost his mind.
But no one knew that Zeno had followed Chesca that day.
He had seen her curled up by her grandmother’s hospital bed. He had seen her go to that manor. He had seen her emerge devastated with faint marks on her face. He had also witnessed a proud woman at her most vulnerable.
He hadn’t approached, fearing he might strip away her last shred of dignity.
He had considered many factors.
In the end, he still asked Lillian to invite her to the party.
He knew Fabian might show up. Knew it,could go south fast. But these concerns paled against the image of Chesca’s desolate figure…
That day marked the first time Zeno wanted to embrace a woman,
-Not out of desire.
But just to hold her, wipe away her tears, kiss her trembling lips.
In the midst of silence, Zeno asked again. “Why do you want a divorce?”
At the doorway, Fabian turned with Chesca, looking at his former friend with ice–cold “Zeno Cortez, do you even know what the hell you’re doing? If not, go get your head checked.”
eyes.
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Zeno slowly stood up.
“I know exactly what I’m doing. I’ve always known.”
“And if you knew half as much, you’d realize Chesca doesn’t love you anymore. Maybe you can hold her back for a year, maybe two. But you’ll never keep her forever.”
Fabian let out a cold snort. “She’s still my wife.”
Zeno said nothing.
Off to the side, Lillian tugged at his sleeve and whispered cautiously. “Bro, you like Chesca?”
Zeno gave a quiet “yeah.”
Immediately after, the glass in Lillian’s hand fell and shattered.
In the narrow elevator, only Fabian and Chesca remained.
Chesca yanked her hand away from Fabian, her voice cold. “No one’s watching now, Fabian. You can drop the loving husband act.”
The next second, she was forcefully pinned against the cold elevator wall.
Her soon–to–be ex–husband ran his hands all over her, from top to bottom. Fabian had never been this wild or crude before. He was examining her like personal property, his
actions even carrying an undertone of humiliation.
His tall body trapped her, his face inches from hers, his straight nose pressed hard against
hers.
“Since when did you and Zeno get so close?”
“What’s it to you?”
Fabian’s dark eyes bore into her, as if trying to memorize every inch of her skin. After a
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long pause, he let out a cold laugh. “Let me remind you, Zeno is our divorce attorney. His job is to leave you penniless. And that’s the guy you wanna hang around with?”
This was the real Fabian, his true self–cutting straight to the point.
Chesca leaned against the elevator wall and laughed softly.
She laughed until tears came. “Isn’t that what YOU told him to do? Fabian, aren’t you the one who wants me penniless, Fabian?”
Chesca tilted her head teasingly. “Actually, I don’t even care! Think about it–I’ve built up
quite a network over the years. Even if I leave with nothing. I’m pretty sure there are plenty of men out there who wouldn’t mind taking over Fabian Elkedonia’s ex–wife. Whether as a
second wife or a mistress.”
Fabian was completely enraged.
He ran a trembling finger across her cheek, his voice hoarse. “You think I’d let you sleep
with another man? Chesca Lavirins, don’t even dream about it in this lifetime.”
Chesca spat out three words. “YOU ARE INSANE!”
Fabian, thoroughly provoked, gave her an icy look before pressing the button for the 32nd floor. Chesca didn’t notice until the elevator doors opened and Fabian dragged her out.
The hotel receptionist smiled at them. “Good evening, sir. Would you like to book a room?”
Fabian kept a tight grip on her wrist while pulling out his wallet with the other hand. “Get my card yourself. Get us your best suite.”
Chesca couldn’t take it anymore. “Fabian, you’ve lost your damn mind.”
Fabian’s eyes were deep and penetrating. “What do you think, Mrs. Elkedonia?”
The front desk girl fumbled as she handed the wallet back, hands trembling slightly. She recognized him–Fabian Elkedonia, CEO of Leshine.
And the woman beside him… must be his wife.
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Married for four years and still booking hotel suites together–what a loving couple they
were!
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