Chapter 18
8 PM, Chesca and Fabian returned to Orlanda Castle.
After many days away, everything felt different.
The household staff, who had always been fond of Chesca, lined up in the foyer to welcome her home, all of them visibly delighted.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Elkedonia!”
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Elkedonia, for making up!”
“Will you be dining together tonight? The kitchen is all set up.
Though Chesca smiled, fatigue showed in her eyes.
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Fabian gently placed his arm around his wife, playing the attentive husband. “Mrs. Elkedonia needs to rest first. We’ll have dinner in an hour.”
Once the staff dispersed, Fabian looked down at Chesca and said gently, “You’ve had a long day. How about a shower
Chesca nodded briefly, her attitude remaining cool.
Normally Fabian wasn’t known for his patience, but tonight, he kept his temper in check tonight.
Upstairs, in the master bedroom.
ابایی
Chesca surveyed her surroundings.
Everything she had destroyed had been repaired. At the bedside, a new wedding photo had
been placed–showing Chesca smiling sweetly at the camera.
Chapter 18
Only the painting couldn’t be restored. In its place hung “Empty Autumn Lane.”
Chesca gazed at it for a long while.
Her fingertips traced familiar places–blank walls now adorned with new paintings, empty cabinets filled with new clothes and jewelry.
But what about her heart?
That place inside her that once belonged to Fabian was now hollow, impossible to fill again.
Under the brilliant lights, Chesca’s eyes glistened.
At some point, Fabian entered the room. He embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder with his voice thick with desire. “Sex, okay? Just once, please. It’s been a long
time.”
Without waiting for her agreement, he kissed her neck, attempting to ignite her desire.
Chesca pushed aside her melancholy and offered token resistance. “Didn’t you tell the staff
to serve dinner soon?”
=
The man behind her chuckled softly. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder. The staff are all experienced–they won’t disturb us.”
Chesca stopped resisting.
She knew perfectly well that walking back through the doors of Orlanda Castle meant haveing sex couldn’t be avoided.
Tonight, she’d simply consider it a transaction.
Yet when she was laid upon the soft bed, tears still rolled from the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t forget how their previous lovemaking had always been about Fabian trying to plant his seed in her womb/That experience that had never been pleasant.
Fabian leaned over her.
Chapter 18
He kissed away her tears, asking in a gentle voice, “Why are you crying?”
“Don’t ask,” Chesca’s voice trembled.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Fabian’s neck, forbidding further questions. She even
raised herself to reach his lips, kissing his jaw…
Fabian’s eyes flared with desire, never before feeling such a stir in his chest.
Just as Fabian was about to stuck into her–his phone rang.
From his black coat at the foot of the disheveled bed, his phone vibrated and chimed…
Fabian was on the verge of losing himself in the moment, but the caller persisted
relentlessly, demanding attention that couldn’t be ignored.
Chesca pushed Fabian away, catching her breath. “Just answer it.”
C
Fabian still wanted to continue…
Chesca turned away, her voice low and
eathy. “Take the call, or we’ll never have peace
tonight. Don’t worry, Fabian. I came back for the money, not for romance.”
Fabian’s throat tightened as he stared at her bare back.
But in the end, he walked out of the villa into the night.
Darkness fell heavily outside.
On the luxurious bed, Chesca lay with disheveled clothes, silently listening to the footsteps disappearing down the stairs,
The footsteps faded, signaling Fabian’s departure.
He hadn’t changed at all.
Chapter 18
Nut now that she stopped loving him, the pain that once tore her heart apart barely affected her…
At the door came a servant’s knock. “Ma’am, Mr. Elkedonia said he won’t be dining at home. Should we serve dinner now?”
Chesca closed her eyes gently. “In half an hour, please.”
Outside the villa, the winter night was bone–chilling.
Inside the black Bentley, however, it was warm as spring. Before starting the engine, Fabian couldn’t help but touch his neck, feeling an unexpected lingering sensation.
It had been a long time since Chesca had embraced him so willingly.
He lowered his eyelids, his long lashes casting shadows on his sharp cheekbones, trembling slightly with an emotion he couldn’t quite define.
Half an hour later, Fabian’s car pulled up outside a luxury apartment building.
Veronica had finally moved out of that villa and now lived in this 2,800–square–foot
apartment.
Her days were filled with shopping, spa appointments, and the occasional check–in at Leshine, living the classic mistress lifestyle.
Taylor was already waiting.
As soon as Fabian’s car stopped, she opened the door for her boss. Stepping out, Fabian frowned slightly. “What’s she throwing a tantrum about now?”
Taylor gave a helpless smile, “You’ve been ignoring her calls, sir. She’s refusing to eat, wrecking things left and right. Even Mr. and Mrs, Arnault can’t calm her down.”
Fabian paused mid–step. “And the doctors? No IVs? Or forced feeding?”
Chapter 18
Taylor couldn’t help but wonder–She’d worked for Fabian for years, yet still couldn’t
understand what he wnats to get from Veronica.
He didn’t seem particularly fond of her. So why did he keep indulging her?
But she was on his payroll. Asking questions wasn’t in her job description.
As they talked, they entered Veronica’s apartment. Draxion and Mrs. Arnault were already there, trying to convince their daughter to stop being so dramatic before she truly angered
Fabian.
When the door opened and Fabian walked in, Veronica immediately rushed toward him, trying to burrow into his arms…
Fabian stepped aside, avoiding her.
He walked to the sofa and sat down, smoothing his immaculate trousers as he spoke with cool detachment. “We had an agreement. I provide you with a comfortable life, and you provide… Why are you backing out now?”
Veronica’s face turned pale.
She stared at the aristocratic man before her, her lips trembling as she whispered, “She’s
back in that house, isn’t she?”
“Yes.”
Fabian’s voice grew even colder. “She’s Mrs. Elkedonia. It’s normal for her to return home. What right do you have to question that?”
Veronica paled.
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Draxion stepped forward to smooth things over. “Veronica’s just confused right now. She’ll understand soon enough that you’re married, Fabian. We’ll make sure she behaves properly.”
Draxion had connections with the Elkedonia family. And he was also Fabian’s elder,
Chapter 18
Fabian’s expression softened slightly, conceding to Draxion’s intervention. He turned to instruct the chef to prepare some food to help Veronica regain her strength.
Veronica blurted out, “Fabian, eat with me.”
Fabian didn’t respond. Instead, he pulled a cigarette case from his coat pocket, shook out a cigarette, and lit it. With his long legs crossed, he inhaled leisurely…
Watching from the side, Draxion understood perfectly.
Since arriving, Fabian hadn’t removed his coat—a clear sign he didn’t intend to stay long.
Now he was smoking indoors, indicating he no longer cared much about Veronica’s health.
Indeed, no matter how clingy Veronica became, Fabian’s attitude remained distant.
Draxion could see it clearly now–his heart wasn’t here, but his wife at home dominated.
As soon as Veronica finished eating, Fabian extinguished his cigarette and left.
Once he was gone, Veronica burst into tears. “He’s with that whore, I know it! She must have found some way to manipulate him. Fabian doesn’t even like her.”
“Enough!” Draxion barked.
Mrs. Arnault took offense, snapping at her husband, “Veronica’s not wrong! If it weren’t for what happened back then… would Chesca have married into the Elkedonia family and
become Mrs. Elkedonia?”
Draxion emphasized to his wife and daughter. “She’s his legal wife. You two better start respecting that before things get worse.
Veronica’s face showed defiance. “I’ll make Mrs. Richmond favor me! If I lead the Yolo Export project, Fabian will definitely change his mind about me.”
Mrs. Arnault praised her daughter’s ambition.
Draxion, however, looked troubled.
The mention of Mrs. Richmond invariably made him think of his daughter whom he’d never met. He’d heard the child had a faint birthmark somewhere on her body.
By his calculations, she would be 26 years old now.
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