Chapter 11 Completely Disinterested
Alaric's face darkened at the sound of the voice.
"Is there anyone you're attracted to, Dominic?"
Cordelia's voice was calm. "It's definitely not you."
With that, she turned and left the master bedroom. "I'm sleeping in the guest room."
As soon as she stepped out, Alaric grabbed her shoulder from behind.
His broad hand was warm, and Cordelia stopped in her tracks. Her heartbeat quickened, and she felt an uncomfortable, prickly pain in her chest.
"You!"
His voice was low and slightly angry, but before he could say more, his phone vibrated.
Cordelia turned to him. He picked up the phone from the counter, then stepped onto the balcony.
A moment later, she heard his voice from outside.
"Okay, I'll be there soon."
His tone was gentle, probably talking to Janet.
Janet was having surgery tomorrow; of course, she needed him by her side tonight.
Cordelia smiled bitterly. When Alaric came back from the balcony, she asked, "Ms. Martin needs you?"
Alaric put away his phone and gave her a blank look without answering.
Cordelia's smile faded a bit. She added softly, "Ms. Martin is probably feeling anxious tonight. You should comfort her. A patient's mood can greatly affect their recovery."
Alaric's eyes grew colder. "You're quite generous."
Cordelia smiled indifferently. "Isn't that what men like? A generous wife?"
Alaric's face remained cold, his deep eyes filled with suppressed anger as he walked to the closet.
Cordelia pursed her lips and went to the guest room.
Not long after, Evelyn called. "Alaric just bought the land the Stone family had in the west suburbs for a high price. With his help, the land they couldn't sell before is almost all sold now."
Cordelia responded softly.
He really loved Janet. To ensure nothing went wrong with the surgery, he helped the Stone Group.
With the Stone Group's debt crisis temporarily resolved, Evelyn continued talking about their plans to leave the real estate industry and start fresh. Cordelia listened quietly.
Evelyn, noticing the lack of response, lost interest. "Never mind, you wouldn't understand."
"Now that the Stone Group's crisis is over, you should proceed with the divorce. After all these years, even a dog would have developed feelings. Don't keep suffering."
Cordelia didn't respond.
Evelyn hung up.
Cordelia sighed and heard footsteps outside. She walked out of the guest room and saw Alaric stepping into the elevator. As the doors closed, she smiled slightly and said softly, "Mr. Hughes, don't worry. We've been married for a while. I'll do my best with Ms. Martin's surgery tomorrow. I won't let you lose your chance at having children."
The elevator doors closed, and Alaric's expression remained unchanged.
Soon, she heard the sound of a car engine starting and driving away.
Cordelia sighed.
Alaric probably wouldn't be back tonight. She needed a familiar sleeping environment, so she returned to the master bedroom.
Enchanted Valley Resort.
This was Bruce Howard's go-to spot, a hangout for their childhood crew.
Bruce had just gotten back to town and set up a poker game. They were one player short, so Alaric had to join.
Seeing him walk in, Bruce leaned back in his chair.
"Getting busy at home? Took you long enough."
Alaric raised an eyebrow but didn't respond.
Sebastian Vale, sitting nearby, chuckled. "He's almost divorced. No action happening there."
Alaric sat down, expressionless, and picked up his cards.
Jack Wilson glanced at Alaric and casually mentioned, "I heard Evelyn's hunting for a top divorce lawyer. You in the loop?"
Alaric focused on his cards and nodded. "Yeah, I know."
He seemed indifferent, but Bruce couldn't help but warn him, "Cordelia's sweet and gentle, but her sister's a shark. You didn't sign a prenup. Watch out they don't clean you out."
Cordelia sweet and gentle?
He didn't know his wife had that side.
Alaric played a card and looked at Bruce nonchalantly. "Everyone saw how Evelyn treated you."
Bruce was speechless.
Damn! Could they still have fun?
Late at night.
Cordelia turned over, her arm casually reaching out and feeling warmth. She paused, unsure, and touched it again, only to have her hand grabbed by a broad palm.
"Go to sleep!"
The man's voice was hoarse and low. Cordelia's eyes flew open to see Alaric had returned and was lying beside her.
"When did you get here?"
Her guarded and distant eyes made Alaric's face darken.
"What, I can't come back?"
Cordelia said nothing.
Alaric's face grew colder. He pulled her into his arms, his eyes filled with possessive intensity.
"Now that Dominic's back, I can't even sleep in the same bed as you?"
Cordelia remained silent.
Upon seeing this, Alaric's face turned grim.
After the poker game, Bruce had insisted Alaric stay for a drink. Bruce had been deeply hurt by Evelyn, and after a few drinks, they talked a lot about the sisters.
Bruce's comment, "It's normal for you and Cordelia to divorce now that Dominic's back," had stuck with him.
He couldn't help but remember when he and Cordelia first got married, he had asked why she married him.
What had she said?
"Because you look like my type."
So Cordelia had chosen him as a stand-in for Dominic?
Anger flared in Alaric's heart.
He remembered how Cordelia had looked so happy talking to Dominic outside the hospital, her face lit up with joy.
His face cold, he leaned in and kissed Cordelia fiercely.
Cordelia smelled the faint scent of alcohol and turned her head to avoid his kiss. "You've been drinking?"
Alaric frowned, displeased but replied calmly, "Yeah, just a drink."
Cordelia pursed her lips and looked at him with a calm gaze. "Alcohol makes people excited. Are you sure you don't need to cool down? Ms. Martin might be upset if she knew."
Alaric was silent.
He pulled his hand back and let her go, his interest gone.