Anderson returned to Templeton Villa. He parked his car and returned to his own place immediately. He opened the door to the master bedroom and saw Talia doing some cleaning. Under normal circumstances, she was gentle and delicate, able to maintain a handle over both household matters and otherwise. He closed the door. She could tell something was wrong by reading his expression. His hand was clutching a scarf, too. She couldn’t help but take a step back.“You haven’t been home for two whole days, Anderson. You didn’t even care about your son’s well-being… And now you’re going to start acting like a madman the moment you come back?”She said that, but she was just trying to put on a brave face.Smacking her stuff out of her hand, he proceeded to slap her so hard that she fell on the bed. Talia leaned on the bed and was unable to get back up for a long time. There was a loud ringing in her ears. Then, she saw a document being flung at the side of her feet before she heard his
Archibald said in a blank expression, “You only have your wishful thinking to blame for what happened to Gwynn!”Anderson laughed maniacally. “Wishful thinking? Is it wrong to love someone? All I did was fall in love. I couldn’t hold my feelings back, and I admired and adored her. “You couldn’t accept it and booted her out of the family. Then, you made me marry someone I don’t love. Sometimes, I had to take a pill just so I could have sex with Talia. Otherwise, I can’t even get it up for the occasion.”“Do you have any idea what you’re saying, Anderson?” Tears flowed down Marisol’s cheeks. All of them knew about what really went down four years ago. However, it had always been a secret within his heart. Never once did he say it out loud for everyone to hear. However, that was what he was doing right now. He must’ve gone out of his mind!Anderson’s gaze rested on his mother and grew soft a little. All he could think to say was, “I’m sorry, Mom! I’m sick and tired of living my l
The crystal chandelier in the villa radiated brilliantly as a young couple’s bodies intertwined with each other in an erotic way.They didn’t stop to catch a break until after they did it for a long time.Anderson leaned back on the couch. His fair skin was covered with sweat. The hair on his forehead drooped and blocked out his eyes, but there were clearly tears in them. The young lady was a virgin. So, he had derived a pleasure he never knew existed after the deed. However, a sense of sorrow rose within his chest. After all, he couldn’t be with the lady he really loved. He might’ve satiated his lust with this young lady, but it only made him feel hollower on the inside. Putting a cigarette between his lips, he lit it and smoked it leisurely. She sat next to him and tended to his needs. Lowering his gaze, he stared at her wordlessly for a brief moment. Then, he asked in a husky voice, “What’s your name? Why are you doing this?”The young lady said softly, “I’m Ayanna Franci
Noah’s smile grew faint. Reaching out, he wiped the side mirror and said nonchalantly, “I don’t care if you tell on me. I’ll just break two more of your fingers if that happens.”At the next moment, Charlie’s forehead was covered with sweat. …After Charlie left, Noah drove to Gwynn’s apartment. He hadn't come here for two straight days, but she didn’t even give him a call. It looked like he really didn’t have a place in her heart. He parked his car, leaned over, and took Anderson’s obscene pictures with him. Then, he went upstairs and swiped the door card before going into her apartment. The sky was dark. The lights in the bedroom cast down a warm, yellow glow on the kids, who were already sleeping. Gwynn was sitting on the couch by the window with a tablet in her hands.She was picking out paintings for her gallery. The young painters she got lately were showing some promise. She had high hopes for them.Noah stole his way into the room. Raising her eyes, she regarded
Evening rolled on. Gwynn went away to pick Lorian up after school. She got him and was about to get in the car when she heard a familiar voice. “I need a minute with you, Ms. Gwynn.”Turning her head sideways, she saw Saul, who was Archibald’s assistant.He was dressed in a traditional outfit and looked all sophisticated. Standing next to him were a couple of men dressed in black. Obviously, they were Archibald’s bodyguards.They greeted her too. “Hi, Ms. Gwynn.”She knew they didn’t come in peace. Smiling dryly, she responded, “Greetings.”Saul spoke respectfully and courteously. “You haven’t stepped foot into the Templeton villa ever since you returned to Brookesville. With that in mind, Mr. Archibald misses you very much! He’s plain out of options and requests your presence at his office.”He might’ve used the word ‘request,’ but she knew clearly that she didn’t have a choice this time. She’d have to see the old man at his office. Otherwise, the bodyguards would’ve coerced h
Archibald understood Gwynn’s subtexts. Sneering, he said, “If Anderson isn’t innocent and guilt-free, then I’ve got to be downright wicked and ruthless, as far as you’re concerned! I had no choice but to send you overseas four years ago. I used to think that you’d understand my decision.“Now, you’re finally back. You might not have stepped foot into the family villa, but Anderson and Talia’s marriage is all but broken. He never comes home either. Things have become so bad that Marisol fell ill because of it.”She asked, “Shouldn’t you be talking to Anderson, then?”He was about to respond to her when Phoebe came in with the tea. The assistant put down a cup of tea before Gwynn and said, “Enjoy your tea, Ms. Gwynn.”Gwynn merely nodded in response. She didn’t even take one sip of it.Archibald noticed this. Then, he gave himself a moment to suppress his emotions and proceeded to tell her the reason he wanted to meet with her. To be more accurate, he was declaring his decision to
Noah and Gwynn walked out of the building. An orange hue blanketed over the entire city outside. The setting sun was the only thing holding heaven and Earth together. Behind them, they could hear the sound of someone smashing stuff. It was probably Archibald losing his temper. She stopped in her tracks. Turning his head sideways, he looked at her and asked softly, “Are you having second thoughts? Did you regret making that decision?”Raising her head, she looked at the evening light and chuckled dryly, “I’m just thinking that he’s old. He shouldn’t be having a fit this intense.”Back then, Archibald overheard Anderson’s confession of love for her. If only he hadn’t gotten furious and let her turn his grandson down, then everything would’ve been different today.Reminiscing the past had always made her feel dispirited. At the next moment, she looked at Noah and said, “Let’s go!”Later, both of them got into the car. She was buckling up when she asked, “How did you know I was
Gwynn leaned on him and felt her heart pounding faster. Noah spent the night in her apartment. He slept in the guest room and didn’t try anything funny. All he did was give her a kiss after he gave the kids a good night kiss before he slept. Naturally, he pinned her on the white pillow and kissed her intensely. …The next day, Noah was needed at work. Kim came over to help with the move. Actually, Gwynn didn’t have much stuff to move anyway. After all, she hadn’t been back for long. Moreover, she could just buy anything she needed afterward.It was three in the afternoon when a couple of black limousines pulled into the villa. Gladys took a group of servants and waited for their arrival for a long time now. The moment she saw Gwynn and Lorian get out of the car, tears welled up in her eyes. She stepped forward and called out to her, “Ms. Gwynn.”She was gripped with such a strong emotion. It was the same for Gwynn too. She held the old servant’s hands and said, “I really