Chapter 152 Chapter 152
She was on her period, physically fragile. What if her stomach pain returned because of the emotional stress he had caused her?
Guilt began to eat away at him.
Had he been too cruel? Since they got married, he had never raised his voice to her. Today, he not only yelled at her, but questioned her character and loyalty.
She was delicate. Could she handle so much pressure?
The more he thought about it, the more anxiety consumed him. His heart physically ached when he remembered her curled up in bed, sobbing.
He regretted it. Deeply.
He regretted losing control, letting jealousy dictate his words. They had known each other for a short time; it wasn't her fault that memories of ten years with Edward still lingered. It was unreasonable to demand that she erase a decade of her life overnight.
What he should have done was love her even more. He should have been patient, replacing old memories with new and better ones, until Edward was just a forgotten ghost. Instead, he pushed her away.
His stupidity could cost him dearly. What if she really gave up? What if she decided that divorce was the only way out?
The fear of losing her was the trigger.
Nicholas stood up abruptly. He needed to see her. Now.
He strode toward the office door. He had just put his hand on the doorknob when his cell phone vibrated in his pocket.
He stopped and looked at the screen.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw the name flash on the display: “My Wife.”
...
In the bedroom, the silence was deafening.
Caroline, after her enlightening conversation with Tania, realized her mistake. She had been insensitive.
After reflecting and deleting the text several times, she finally mustered the courage to send an apology message to Nicholas.
As soon as she tapped the “Send” button, regret and anxiety took over. She held her phone with sweaty, trembling fingers, staring at the screen as if her life depended on it.
Nicholas was certainly still furious.
Would he forgive her? He had always been generous, but... today's fight was different. It was the first time she had seen his dark and violent side.
Time dragged on.
A minute passed.
He didn't reply.
Panic began to grow in Caroline's chest. She checked her phone every five seconds.
Had he seen it yet?
He said he was going to work. Maybe he was in an important meeting? Or maybe... he had seen it, but was so angry that he decided to ignore her?
The doubt was torture.
Should I send another message? she thought, biting her lip. But if he's ignoring me on purpose, sending another one will only make him think I'm annoying.
Caroline felt like she was going crazy. In those few minutes of waiting, her mind created a thousand scenarios, each worse than the last. One moment she thought he was busy; the next, she was sure he was printing the divorce papers.
She couldn't take it anymore. The uncertainty was unbearable.
Determined, she took a deep breath.
She was going to call. She needed to hear his voice, even if it was just him yelling at her. Anything was better than that icy silence.
Her fingers trembled as she searched for the call icon.
Just as she was about to press the green button, a sound from the hallway made her jump.
Click.
The doorknob turned.
Caroline raised her head abruptly, her eyes wide and her heart in her mouth.
The door opened, and a tall, imposing figure entered the room.
“Nicholas...” Caroline's eyes widened in disbelief.
Nicholas walked toward her with long, urgent strides, the cell phone still clenched in his hand.
Before Caroline could formulate the question, “Did you see my message?”, she was enveloped in a wave of warmth and strength.
Nicholas pulled her abruptly into his arms. Her face collided with his sturdy, firm chest, and the familiar scent of sandalwood and musk enveloped her, instantly calming the panic in her heart.
He hugged her tightly, as if he wanted to melt her into his own body.
“My love, it's not your fault.” His voice sounded above her head, hoarse and choked. “You did nothing wrong. I'm the one who should be on my knees apologizing.”
He buried his face in her neck, breathing deeply.
“It's all my fault. I said horrible things in a moment of blindness. I shouldn't have hurt you like that.”
“Nicholas...”
“I'm sorry, my love. Please forgive me.” He held her even tighter, vulnerability seeping through his powerful facade. “A man overcome by jealousy loses his rationality and becomes a monster.”
He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his expression raw and honest.
“I'm jealous of Edward. I admit it. I know you're my wife now, I know he shouldn't be a threat... But I can't control it.”
In that moment, the great CEO Nicholas Wolf opened his heart completely.
“The idea that he met you ten years before I did... that he was able to accompany you, watch you grow up, be by your side in moments that I missed...” He closed his eyes, clenching his jaw. “I find it hard not to go crazy over that. I wish I had been there. I wish I had been the only one.”
He couldn't be magnanimous. Not when it came to her.
If he didn't have deep feelings, he wouldn't care. But he cared desperately.
Caroline remained leaning against his chest, listening to the uneven beats of that heart that seemed so strong, but now revealed itself to be so insecure because of her.
Hearing his explanation was like a balm for her wounded soul.
He didn't say “I love you” with all the letters, but the confession of his jealousy was the clearest proof she could have.
As Tania had said: He was only so upset and angry because he cared so much about her.
And if that was the case... then the harsh words before weren't hatred, they were fear of losing her.
“I'm sorry.” Caroline lifted her face, her eyes moist, trying not to choke on her emotions. “Nicholas, I'm sorry too.” I was wrong. I said those things to hurt you on purpose. I'll never say that again. Don't be angry anymore, okay?“
”I'm not angry anymore." Nicholas shook his head immediately.
He looked down and held her delicate face with both hands, his thumbs gently caressing her eyelids, swollen from crying.
“How could I stay mad at you for long? Actually... I was already on my way when you sent me that message.”
“What?” Caroline blinked, surprised.
“My love, just thinking that you might be here alone, crying and upset... my heart physically ached.”
How could he possibly leave her alone?