Chapter 5
That paper, every word on it–Fabian read it over and over until his eyes burned.
Suddenly, he understood Chesca’s pain, her tears.
Suddenly, he understood why that night in the parking garage, she had screamed at him. “Fabian, why won’t you give me even five minutes? Are you still the Fabian I once knew?”
His Chesca couldn’t have children anymore!
He didn’t love Chesca. But she was important to him. Chesca had been by his side for four years, accompanying him through the hell, witnessing his rise to the pinnacle of power.
They had once talked about having two children–one boy, one girl.
Fabian slowly sat down on the edge of the bed.
The ever–composed, ever–powerful CEO looked… defeated.
He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag. His hollow cheeks accentuated a uniquely masculine allure!
At the bedroom door, Ella reported cautiously. “Taylor is here, sir.”
Fabian didn’t respond.
Taylor had rushed over from completely stunned.
Mr. Elkedonia had gospital. Seeing the shattered glass everywhere, she was
Bot dumped!
consu
But Taylor was the consummate professional, She swallowed her surprise and got straight to ask what the next steps/would be.
Pale blue smoke swirled around Fabian’s face, “Keep this quiet for now. No matter what,
Chapter 5
the public cannot know that Chesca has left me.”
Taylor nodded in agreement.
Looking at his boss, Taylor suddenly didn’t understand–everyone said the Elkedonias‘ marriage was just business, so why did Fabian look as devastated as if he just got his balls.
cut off?
Did Mr. Elkedonia truly not love his wife?
Chesca moved into an apartment.
It wasn’t particularly large–about 1300 square feet–but the location and decor were top–notch. Floor–to–ceiling windows revealed half the city’s nightscape.
The next day, she visited her grandmother.
Her grandmother knew nothing about her troubles with Fabian and cheerfully asked if she was doing well. Not wanting to worry the elderly woman, Chesca smiled gently. “Yes!
Fabian treats me very well.”
Without marriage, life still had to go on. Chesca decided to return to painting, which she
had loved since childhood.
For an entire week, she barely left her apartment, lost in the canvas.
She experienced a contentment she’d never known before. She even bought a puppy–not an expensive breed, but white and adorable. Chesca loved it and named it Snow.
That weekend, Chesca attended an art exhibition.
Among hundreds of famous paintings, Chesca was most drawn to a floral piece called “Twin Souls.” Just as she was about to ask the price, she saw the signature–Draxion Arnault!
Veronica’s father.
Chesca’s enthusiasm instantly dampened. Just then, a soft feminine voice beside her said. “You like this piece too?”
Chesca turned to see an elegant woman dressed impeccably with two personal assistants at her side–clearly the matriarch of a prominent family.
The woman smiled at Chesca. “My married name is Richmond.”
Chesca suddenly remembered–this was none other than Mrs. Richmond, wife of the Yolo Export Corporation’s chairman. Mr. Richmond had been doing business in the South, so Chesca had only met his wife once before.
Seeing Chesca’s recognition, Mrs. Richmond smiled warmly. “I spotted you as soon as I arrived. You’re Fabian’s wife, aren’t you?”
The Richmonds in the South, the Elkedonias in the North.
Mrs. Richmond deliberately used Fabian’s first name, highlighting the intimacy between the families. Clearly, Mr. Richmond was very interested in partnering with Leshine.
+
الله الله الله ان الله الله الله الله الله الله الله الله الله الله الله الله الله الله
Chesca wasn’t interested in business matters, but she and Mrs. Richmond hit it off immediately. Setting business aside, they discussed art and techniques with such enthusiasm.
Eventually, Mrs. Richmond extended an invitation. “Shall we continue this over coffee?”
Chesca smiled. “Gladly.”
In the bright café, Mrs. Richmond gently stirred her coffee with a silver spoon, smiling as she remarked casually. “Draxion Arnault’s work is remarkable… but the man himself? Better not to buy his work.”
Chesca smiled softly.
As they
in meed
chatting, she noticed Mrs. Richmond’s expression turn wistful, as if lost
Chapter 5
One of her assistants Clara Reed consoled her gently. “Ma’am, let’s not dwell on sad things. Mr. Richmond worries about you.”
Mrs. Richmond gave Chesca an apologetic smile. “Forgive me, Mrs. Elkedonia. I didn’t mean
to ruin the mood. It’s just… something I’ve never quite moved past.”
“When I was young, I fell for a wrong man. I had his child, but then I was drugged by someone who had it in for me. When I woke up, my five–year–old daughter was gone. Thankfully, I later met my husband, and together we’ve searched every city in the country, but we’ve never found my poor little girl.”
As she spoke, Mrs. Richmond’s beautiful eyes filled with tears.
She remembered her daughter had a small, faint reddish birthmark on her waist.
If she ever saw that birthmark, she would recognize her daughter immediately.
Being an orphan herself, Chesca sympathized deeply with the pain of losing a child and gently took her hand in comfort.
Mrs. Richmond felt better and grew closer to Chesca. “I don’t know why I told you all that. Maybe because you feel… familiar to me. Please don’t think I’m rambling, Mrs. Elkedonia.”
Chesca replied softly. “Not at all! I truly believe you and your daughter share a deep bond and will meet again someday.”
Mrs. Richmond smiled through her tears. “Thank you for your kind words!”
The mood lightened,
They exchanged business cards, and before parting, Mrs. Richmond offered an invitation.
“My husband is hosting a party at our villa soon. You must come. I know you’re career–minded, so I’ll introduce you to some useful contacts.”
Not wanting to disappoint/her, Chesca accepted the card and agreed,
As they parted, Mrs. Richmond stood beside her Rolls–Royce, reluctant to let Chesca go. She
Chapter 5
hadn’t felt this way in a long time–talking with Fabian’s wife today felt like being with her little girl again.
Clara gently reminded her of the time.
Only then did Mrs. Richmond let go. “We’ll talk again soon.”
Chesca stood watching the car drive away, thinking that Mr. Richmond must truly love his wife, providing her with every material comfort and emotional support, and even choosing
not to have more children for her sake.
For a moment, Chesca was lost in thought.
At nine in the evening, Chesca finished her final brushstroke and stretched.
Snow wagged his tail excitedly beside her.
Chesca put out dog food for him, adding a small piece of chicken as a treat.
As Snowball happily chomped away, Chesca headed to her bedroom, grabbing a fresh robe.
The weather had been humid, and the ones hanging on the balcony still felt damp.
Sighing, she turned to her closet, looking for something loose and comfortable to wear
instead.
In the bright light, her slender white fingers slid across the clothes, finally landing on a
black shirt.
It was Fabian’s shirt.
Somehow it had been packed with her luggage by mistake.
Chesca hesitated, then pulled it out anyway–Fabian would never know.
Ten minutes later, after her shower, Chesca slipped on the men’s shirt. She pulled her wet
21:33
Nien Try My By Hut Thu Hoivunes Down”t Do Kowinila
hair back, reaching for the hairdryer.
Ding–dong.
The doorbell rang.
Thinking it was Anne, Chesca opened the door without hesitation.
The next second, she froze.
Fabian stood in the doorway, his tall, lean figure blocking most of the light. Chesca couldn’t make out his expression or understand why he’d come at this late hour.
For the past week, they hadn’t been in contact–not a single call!
She was sure Fabian had received the court summons by now, so what was he doing here?
Fabian stared intently at his wife.
Chesca wore nothing but his black shirt, barely covering what needed to be covered.
Looking lower, the thin fabric hardly concealed anything, with the hem revealing a glimpse of her pale thighs…
(2)
