Chapter 81

Chapter 81

After what felt like an eternity, Charles slowly released her, his forehead resting against hers, his breath somewhat rapid, his eyes bloodshot.

Seeing her dazed eyes, Charles remembered Paul's advice to always ask for consent. He instinctively asked, "Is this okay?"

Patricia, her mind foggy from the kiss, looked at his face so close to hers. Almost as if possessed, she nodded slightly and closed her eyes, bringing her lips to his.

Charles bit gently on Patricia's thin lips, lifting her onto his lap, his hands encircling her waist. After days of restraint, he could no longer hold back his feelings for her.

The room's temperature rose sharply, while outside, the snow fell thick and fast.

Large snowflakes hit the glass windows of the underground bar, creating a blurry haze of moisture.

—

Inside a bar, the warm yellow lights cast a soft glow on Adeline Martinez's slightly pale face. 

She sat at the bar, watching her daughter Isabel play with toys nearby, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"Alicia, I'm thinking of going back home," she said, resting her head on her hand and looking at Alicia Myles behind the bar.

"Are you serious about going back?" Alicia pushed a hot cocoa towards Isabel, looking at Adeline in disbelief, her eyes full of concern. "You've been in Regal City for five years, finally getting a foothold. Why go back now?"

Adeline looked down at Isabel sipping her drink, a bitter smile forming on her lips. "Today, on Sunflower Lane, I heard people speaking our language. It made me homesick."

Her fingers trembled slightly. "Besides, Isabel is about to start school. We can't stay in Regal City forever. It's always felt too foreign to us."

"Foreign?" Alicia glared at her, frustrated. "You came to Regal City out of necessity. If Charles had cared, he would have brought you back long ago. He's probably married with kids by now."

"Don't say that!" Adeline quickly interrupted, her eyes darting around nervously. "Don't talk about this in front of the child."

Isabel looked up, her eyes resembling someone else's, and tilted her head. "Mommy, are we going to find Daddy?"

Adeline's heart felt like it had been hit by a lead ball, her throat tightening. "No, we're going back to our own home."

Isabel looked at her, confused, then at Alicia.

Adeline forced a smile, wiping the milk from Isabel's mouth. "Mommy is taking Isabel back home to start school, okay?"

Isabel blinked, not understanding the hidden meaning in the adults' conversation.

Alicia, seeing Adeline's determined look, softened her tone. "Adeline, stop fooling yourself." 

"Five years ago, you left to escape Charles. Now you want to go back just because you saw someone who looked like him on the street? Are you really going to give up everything in Regal City and run back?"

"He might not be waiting for you."

Adeline bit her lip hard, her grip on the cup tightening, her heart pounding.

Today, she had taken Isabel to the clinic for a shot. Through the glass, she saw a tall, familiar figure across the street. 

Even from a distance, she recognized Charles instantly.

She couldn't be mistaken.

After five years, seeing him again, she couldn't let go of this chance.

She wanted to run to him, but in a blink, Charles disappeared, leaving her standing there, helpless.

She wanted to go back home and try her luck.

"It's just a coincidence," Adeline avoided her friend's gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "I've been abroad for a long time. I want to visit family."

"Family? What family do you have back home? Charles? After all these years, he..."

"Enough!" Adeline raised her voice, drawing the attention of nearby patrons.

She took a deep breath, calming her emotions. "Alicia, I'm just going back to visit family. It has nothing to do with him."

Alicia looked at her red-rimmed eyes and sighed. "If you were really over him, you wouldn't have freaked out when you saw the news about him coming to Regal City."

Adeline fell silent. 

She had been thrilled to see Charles on the news, thinking he was finally coming to find her. But after she messaged him, there was no response. 

She knew his number; she couldn't have been wrong.

When she called, he had blocked her.

"He didn't even answer your call. He might have forgotten you."

"No, he wouldn't forget me," Adeline said firmly. "What we had, no one else can understand."

The bar door opened, a gust of wind and snow blowing in, causing the wind chimes to jingle.

Adeline instinctively looked up, meeting the gaze of a man at the door. Her heart stopped.

Paul, stepping into the bar, turned pale at the sight of Adeline. He hadn't expected to see her here.

The air seemed to freeze. Adeline could hear her own heartbeat, loud and fast.

She quickly pulled Isabel into her arms, pressing her face against Isabel's soft hair, trying to hide her distress.

Paul hurriedly turned to leave, thinking, 'I need to get out of here!'

Adeline's back was drenched in cold sweat. She grabbed her coat from the chair, her voice trembling. "Isabel, we need to go."

Alicia, not understanding her sudden urgency, tried to stop her. "It's snowing heavily outside. Why leave now?"

Adeline bit her lip, not speaking, and rushed out of the bar with Isabel.

—

The next morning, in the hotel room, Charles leaned against the doorframe, watching the woman in front of him get ready.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you?" His voice was husky from sleep. "I'm feeling much better."

"You were coughing all night," Patricia adjusted her necklace in the mirror. "You should rest. It's just a Fashion Week show. I'll be back soon."

Charles's eyes lingered on the red mark on her neck before he looked away. "I'll pick you up when it's over."

Patricia nodded, taking out earrings for him to choose. Charles picked her favorite and clumsily helped her put them on.

He kissed her cheek, looking at her in the mirror. "Be safe. Call me when you're done. I'll come get you."

He squeezed her hand, reluctant to let her go. "I'll come get you."

Patricia smiled at his reluctance and nodded.

"Let's go. I'll walk you downstairs." Charles grabbed her handbag, holding her close as they walked out, not wanting to part too soon.

As they opened the door, Paul stood there with a coffee, about to ring the bell. Seeing Patricia, he almost spilled the coffee.

He quickly lowered his head. "Mrs. Anderson."

"Paul, you're here early," Patricia didn't notice his discomfort and turned to Charles. "You must have work to do. You can leave me here."

"Yes, Mr. Anderson, there's an urgent document that needs your attention." Paul, sweating, kept his head down, unable to meet Patricia's eyes. He had to tell Charles that matter in person.

Charles didn't suspect anything, saying goodbye to Patricia and letting Paul into the room.

In the hotel suite, Paul watched Charles, who was resting on the sofa, and quietly reported, "Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson has left for the fashion week show with Mr. Scott."

Charles didn't open his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temple. "Got it."

His voice was heavy with exhaustion. He had a fever of 102°F last night, and his head still ached.

"Should I call a doctor?" Paul asked, worried about his pale face.

"No need." Charles opened his eyes, bloodshot. "Bring me the Summit Group acquisition files. And… what were you going to report?"

Paul hesitated, then nodded. "Last night, I saw Mr. Martinez at the bar."

Charles, who had been resting, suddenly opened his eyes wide, standing up quickly, his gaze intense.

"Who did you say you saw?"