Chapter 17
“I haven’t decided yet,” Chesca pulled away from his grasp.
“Then decide now,” Fabian’s voice was firm.
Chesca’s tone turned cold. “Is that a threat or a bribe? Don’t treat me like an idiot, Fabian.”
Before Fabian could respond, the elder’s voice called out from inside the study. “If you two want to show off your love, go somewhere else. Don’t torture this lonely old man with it.”
A long silence followed…
Fabian looked down at Chesca, then took her hand and led her toward his car. “I’ll take you
to meet Uncle Luke.
Once in the car, Chesca noticed that it was the black Maybach–the car they had driven during their first two years of marriage, when they were inseparable and had too many unforgettable memories.
Chesca smiled faintly–Fabian would truly stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
She fastened her seatbelt, her voice light. “Thanks for handling my grandmother’s situation. But I won’t change my mind about us.”
Fabian turned to look at her.
He wore a deep gray shirt beneath a lightweight black cashmere coat. With his height and striking features, he effortlessly emanated the aura of an untouchable god even in casual
clothing.
After studying her for a while, Fabian stepped on the gas. “Relax. I’m just fulfilling my filial
duty.”
Chesca fell silent and remained silent as they drove to Dr. Luke’s house.
Chapter
Nestled in the hills by the water, it was a perfect place to retire.
As Fabian parked, Luke Cotter came out personally to greet them. “Just yesterday my wife was complaining that we haven’t seen you in ages, Fabian. You never bring your wife to visit anymore.”
Fabian stepped out and embraced him. “Well, here I am now, Uncle Luke.”
After their hug, Fabian introduced Chesca. “This is Uncle Luke, a top surgeon. Auntie’s stir–fried dishes are also amazing, so don’t hesitate to ask for extra rice.”
Chesca stood beside Fabian, greeting him with a respectful, “Hello, Uncle Luke.”
Luke smiled approvingly. “You two really seem happy together.”
He had seen Chesca once at their wedding, remembering only a pretty young woman. Later, hearing the elder Elkedonia speak of her, he learned of her remarkable capabilities. No wonder she could keep Fabian in check.
Looking at her now, she had matured quite a bit.
Both Luke and his wife took an immediate liking to Chesca. Mrs. Cotter emerged from the house and whisked Chesca away to show off her flowers and fish.
In the garden, Chesca was particularly drawn to a tree bearing a small wooden plaque with Luke’s calligraphy: “Under the Oak.”
Noticing Chesca’s fascination, Mrs. Cotter smiled. “Luke enjoys writing and painting in his
time.”
Chesca traced the elegant characters with her fingertips, offering genuine praise. “Uncle Luke’s writing is beautiful.”
Mrs. Cotter beamed. “I’ll send you some paintings later. He’ll be thrilled someone appreciates his work. He appears so serious, but secretly, he’s actually quite vain.”
Chesca found herself geríuinely fond of Mrs. Cotter as well.
Chapter
Before dinner, Luke reviewed the medical records for Chesca’s grandmother and assured her that the issue wasn’t serious. And roughly scheduled the operation.
With this weight lifted, Chesca couldn’t help but raise her glass to toast him during the meal.
Fabian stopped her.
Taking the wineglass from her, he leaned in close. “You’ll need to drive us back. I rarely get to drink with Uncle Luke, so I’d like to have a few more glasses.”
Luke admired their youthful affection.
As the wine flowed, a slight flush spread across Fabian’s chiseled features, lending his usually severe expression a rare hint of warmth.
Even Chesca found herself blushing at the light teasing from their hosts. Under the table, Fabian quietly squeezed her fingers.
Chesca raised her eyes…
She was caught off guard, and her heart followed suit.
གཚད་ཆ་་རྒྱན་སྣང་སའི་མཚོ་
In four years of marriage, this was perhaps their most relaxed outing no obligatory socializing, no political maneuvering, just the peaceful contentment after withdrawing from the busy world.
After a few more drinks, Fabian couldn’t leave. Luke helped him to a room to rest.
Fabian lay down on the bed for a short nap, with only his black cashmere coat covering him.
Chesca removed her jacket and settled on the window seat with a book, quietly waiting for him to wake.
The silence was soothing.
At some point, Fabian stirred.
Chapter 17
Perhaps bothered by the bright sunlight, he raised a hand to shield his eyes. then caught sight of Chesca by the window through his fingers.
In the early winter, she wore a pale pink dress beneath her coat, exuding a mature and feminine charm. Her long hair was casually braided, highlighting the delicate features of her face.
In that moment, it struck him–Chesca was truly beautiful.
Fabian watched her silently for a long time before speaking in a low voice. “Get me some
water.”
Chesca set down her book and looked up.
“Awake?”
Without any pretense of pride, she rose from the window seat and poured him a glass of lukewarm water. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she handed it to him and said coolly, “You’ve been asleep for two hours. It’s almost four now.”
“In a hurry? Got a date?”
Fabian took the glass but set it on the nightstand. Before Chesca could react, he pulled her against his chest, pressing her close through the thin cashmere coat.
His body was hard and burning hot. Cheşca squirm uncomfortably, “Let go of me.”
With her soft curves against him, Fabian had no intention of releasing her.
He nuzzled her ear, his voice husky with the sensual rasp that came with post–drinking intimacy. “Have you thought about our arrangement? Hmm?”
Chesca didn’t want to discuss it, but Fabian was relentless.
He kissed her repeatedly, his face flushed, chin slightly raised, exuding raw sexuality as his hands roamed her slender waist, demanding an immedjate answer.
Chesca genuinely feared he might push things further.
Forced to rest against his shoulder, their bodies pressed together, she knew she couldn’t
repay Dr. Cotter’s kindness without returning to Fabian’s side.
However, from now on, their relationship would be purely transactional–no emotional entanglements.
When she finally spoke, her voice trembled slightly. “I’ll cooperate with the Yolo Export project, but I won’t return to Leshine. Also, I want to retain my personal spacel want to live on my own whenever I choose, and I don’t want to have sex with you. Fabian, you can’t force me.”
She also demanded $50 million from their joint accounts to start her own business.
Fabian agreed but added, “At least once a week. A man kept waiting too long might end up in the hospital.”
Chesca smiled faintly. She realized that without love, discussing these matters with Fabian no longer caused her pain. She could even tease him softly. “Veronica isn’t satisfying you?”
Fabian gripped the nape of her neck, pulling her into a deep kiss. His voice was muffled
against her lips. “I’ve never slept with her.”
Chesca maintained her gentle smile–At this point in their marriage, she didn’t cared
anymore?
She met his kiss, her expression enticing. “Then it must be true love. How enviable, Fabian.”
Fabian broke the kiss to look down at her, his dark eyes hiding an unreadable emotion.
As dusk approached.
A black car slowly rolled over the dusty road and came to a stop at the hospital’s entrance.
Chesca unfastened her seatbelt and said quietly, “I’ll go in alone to check on her. I’ll be out
in ten minutes:”
Fabian placed his hand over hers. “She is my family too.”
Chagner 17
Chesca smiled faintly. “I just want to have a quick word with her.”
Though her voice was soft, it carried an unmistakable firmness. Fabian, not wanting to cause further strain between them, didn’t press the issue. He remained in the car, watching Chesca enter the building.
The hospital room was quiet.
Her grandmother was asleep, with Amy keeping watch.
Seeing Chesca arrive, Amy quickly stood up with her face brightening. “Dr. Wood just
visited. He said a renowned surgeon named Dr. Cotter personally called about your
grandmother’s condition. He told us not to worry anymore–we’re in the best hands now.”
Chesca nodded,
She sat by the bed, gently stroking her grandmother’s silver hair.
Nearby, Amy’s expression gradually became uneasy. “Miss Lavirins, did you… ask
Mr.Elkedonia for help?”
Chesca looked up at her with a slight nod. “Don’t tell Grandma. I don’t want her to worry
about me.”
Amy’s face showed understanding, but as an employee, she knew better than to interfere in her employer’s personal affairs.
She simply wiped her hands on her apron. “Miss Lavirins, let me get you some water and maybe a little soup to soothe your throat.”
Chesca nodded gratefully.
Soon, Amy returned with the soup and handed it to Chesca.
Chesca took a small sip, finding it sweet and refreshing. She looked up at Amy and said softly, “This is wonderful. Too bad I can’t have it every day.”
Amy caught her meaning immediately: Miss Lavirins was returning to the Elkedonia
Nice Try My Ex But The Heiress Doesn’t Do Rewinds.
Chungrier 17
household and the divorce wasn’t happening anytime soon.
Chesca sat for a while before leaving.
Walking down the long corridor, through a window pane, she saw the twilight darkening outside. For a moment, she thought she heard someone call her name. “Chesca.”
Turning toward the voice, she saw Zeno standing by the window, watching her quietly.
Since his confession at the birthday party, they hadn’t seen each other. Now, Chesca didn’t
know how to face him…
After a long pause, she moved past him without a word.
Zeno made no attempt to stop her. He silently watched as she returned back to Fabian’s
side…
Fabian stepped out of the car and gently embraced Chesca.
His kiss fell with a possessiveness that was unmistakable, a man staking his claim.
