Chapter 15
Fabian led Chesca into the hotel suite, swiping the keycard to open the door.
This was their first time staying in a hotel together.
The room was dark, heightening all their senses. Before Chesca could react, she found
herself pressed against the hard door, Fabian’s lips claiming hers in a demanding kiss. The faint scent of his aftershave mingled with fresh tobacco, invading her senses through his
relentless kiss.
His intensity made her legs tremble–she could barely stand.
They stumbled toward the sofa. Fabian shed his overcoat, then Chesca’s stockings were gone too. Her bare legs brushed against his tailored black suit pants, trembling slightly with
tension.
His hands cupped her face as he demanded. “Say you don’t have feelings for Zeno.”
Chesca said nothing.
=
She didn’t have feelings for Zeno, but she refused to pledge loyalty to Fabian when he was openly seeing someone else. Why should she explain away something that didn’t exist, especially when she was divorcing him?
So she provoked him on purpose.
She mimicked his usual expression and gently touched his sharp cheekbones, whispering hoarsely, “Who knows… maybe I do.”
Fabian stared at her with a venomous gaze.
Then he lifted her up in his/arms.
Their strength gap was obvious–she couldn’t break free from his grasp. She turned her face away and said flatly, “Fabian, when did you become so classless? You’ve got so many
Chapter 15
women outside willing to sleep with you. Why force me? I won’t spend the night with you.”
“Force you?”
“Chesca, I fucked my wife with ‘forced‘?”
Fabian stopped.
He stared intently at her face, watching beads of sweat form on her fair skin. Then he
cupped her face again, kissing her deeply while asking between kisses. “Chesca, don’t you
have physical needs anymore?”
Chesca closed her eyes gently. “I can satisfy them elsewhere.”
She really was something!
That did it. Fabian lost interest completely.
He pulled back and slumped on the sofa, lighting a cigarette. Chesca smoothed down her rumpled dress, preparing to leave.
He blocked her with one arm. “I need to talk to you.”
Chesca still tried to leave.
Fabian grabbed her hand hard, pulling her back onto the couch. Her soft body was wrapped in his arms before she could react, and he covered her mouth tightly.
He deliberately let her struggle for air before releasing her, finally snorting. “I should just
suffocate you.”
Chesca leaned against the sofa back, breathing heavily. “I can’t die before getting my
money,”
Fabian’s voice was cold, “Stop dreaming about divorce.”
Chapter 15
Chesca smiled faintly. After their intense struggle, her eyes held a languid quality that was genuinely attractive. As for Fabian’s words–she’d listen but not believe them. It was all
calculation.
The night was still.
Fabian looked across at the floor–to–ceiling windows reflecting their desolate figures as he spoke softly. “The Yolo deal isn’t finalized yet. I can’t afford a divorce right now. And after four years… Chesca, not even a bit of attachment?”
“None.”
Chesca left no room for compromise.
She leaned back on the sofa, her voice slightly raspy. “The humiliation I suffered that day
I’ll never forget. Fabian, you shouldn’t either. Every time you think about it, you should
realize we’re finished. Any attempt to salvage this is just pathetic.”
Fabian looked at her.
“Then let’s talk money and business.”
“Chesca, I can agree to a divorce, but not now–in two years.”
“That twenty percent of Leshine you want? That’s too much. I’ll give you ten. I’ll transfer
five percent now to show good faith. The other five, on the day we sign. You know what 10
percent is worth–at least $3 billion. Even with a lawsuit, you couldn’t get this much, given our prenuptial agreement.”
Chesca of course understood.
So she didn’t refuse outright–who would turn down money?
But she wasn’t a fool either. Fabian’s promises didn’t come for free, and his money was never easy to get. She smiled faintly. “So what do I need to do to earn that kind of promise?”
Fabian looked at her, speaking bluntly. “Cooperate on the Yolo deal. And sleep with me.”
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“Fabian Elkedonia!”
“I’m a man, Chesca. I have physical needs.”
She didn’t give him a straight yes. Just calmly said, “I’ll think about it.”
Fabian took a document from his pocket and handed it to Chesca. “This is the agreement. You can have a lawyer review the details. If you have other conditions, we can negotiate further.”
“Chesca, maybe there’s no love between us. But at the very least… we’re family.”
“Think it over carefully.”
Chesca agreed to consider it, but she still refused to stay the night.
Fabian didn’t try to keep her.
He had other business to attend to tonight.
When Chesca went downstairs, the city was quiet, most neon lights extinguished, with only a few stars visible. As she opened her car door, she caught something in the corner of her eye that made her pause.
A couple was arguing–The woman tried to stop the man from leaving, clinging to him in desperation.
Chesca recognized them–Zebulon and his girlfriend Eloise Orlando.
Eloise was the PR director at Leshine, normally a proud and capable woman. But now, she was reduced to begging him not to walk away. Clearly, they were having relationship problems.
But when s
a man’s ready to leave, there’s no stopping him.
In the scuffle, Zebulon accidentally pushed Eloise to the ground. Wearing a winter dress
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Chapter 15
and high heels, her leg scraped against the concrete, tearing away a patch of skin. Blood immediately began flowing.
Zebulon seemed stunned for a moment.
But he didn’t stay to help. Instead, after a brief glance, he simply got into his car and left. The black Cullinan roared to life and disappeared down the road.
Eloise cursed loudly. “Zebulon Elkedonia, you asshole!” As she continued shouting, her eyes reddened and she remained sitting on the cold ground, dazed.
Chesca had witnessed everything.
Zebulon’s womanizing ways were no surprise to her. No matter how beautiful or capable Eloise was, he would never be faithful to just one woman. He was probably off to see
Mistress No.2.
The Elkedonia men were truly cut from the same cloth.
A
After a moment’s thought, Chesca approached Eloise, sighing softly. “Let me take you to the hospital. At least get it cleaned up. You don’t want to risk an infection.”
Eloise looked up, surprised to see Chesca.
“Ms. Lavirins…”
“Don’t call me that anymore. I won’t be returning to Leshine.”
Chesca spoke softly as she helped Eloise into her car and drove toward the hospital.
As a woman herself, Chesca understood Eloise’s situation.
Three years together, and Eloise still hadn’t secured her place in the Elkedonia family. Despite Eloise’s capabilities, Zebulon needed a strategic marriage alliance. Their relationship was destined to end in heartbreak.
Chapter 15
During the drive, Eloise silently wept.
In Eloise, she saw a version of herself from the past.
Risking everything, consumed by passionate love.
Chesca’s voice was slightly husky in the darkness. “Marrying into the Elkedonia family isn’t what it seems. Without true love, no amount of wealth can bring joy.”
Eloise was startled: Was Mrs. Elkedonia… unhappy too?
♡ (2)
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