Chapter 58
Caroline tucked away her phone and drained the last of her melted ice water, the coolness washing away the final traces of suffocating discomfort.
She picked up her purse and rose from her seat, her sharp black pantsuit cutting cleanly through the buzzing crowd without a backward glance.
Arthur's gaze followed her disappearing silhouette, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. She left so decisively—not quite what he had expected.
"Arthur, Professor Cook wants to discuss the follow-up collaboration..." Heidi's sultry voice reclaimed his attention.
He shifted his focus back to the table, lifting his glass as his expression returned to its customary indifference. "Very well."
In the empty hallway outside the banquet hall, the air conditioning dispersed the lingering scents of perfume and alcohol from Caroline's skin. Her heels struck the polished floor with steady, clear echoes as she walked toward the elevator.
Her phone vibrated in her palm—a reply from Layla. A simple [Okay] followed by a tiny smiley emoji.
She stared at that emoji, her fingertip lingering on the cold screen for a moment before darkening it and stepping into the waiting elevator.
The metal doors closed slowly, reflecting her unruffled face as the numbers ticked downward.
That sea within her, dormant for years, seemed to be stirring with new tides, rising silently yet powerfully.
Before leaving the laboratory, Caroline texted Nina at Windsor Villa: [Nina, I'm coming home tonight.]
Pushing open the heavy carved door, the air inside felt colder than she remembered. Nina greeted her with slightly reddened eyes. "Mrs. Windsor, you're back."
Caroline nodded and headed straight for the children's room. "Are the children asleep?"
"The girl is asleep, but the boy..." Nina's voice caught.
Caroline froze, her heart sinking. She quickened her pace and pushed open the door to the children's room, where only a dim night light illuminated the space.
Layla slept deeply in her small bed while Logan curled beneath his blanket, his small face flushed, his breathing rapid and hot.
Caroline crossed to his bedside in a few steps, pressing her hand to her son's forehead only to recoil at the scorching temperature.
"Why is Logan still feverish? Didn't he see a doctor yesterday?"
"He only had a slight fever this afternoon. He took medicine and it seemed to break. Then tonight it suddenly came back worse than before," Nina explained from the doorway, her voice anxious. "I called Mr. Windsor several times, but he never answered..."
Caroline remained silent as she pulled back the covers and efficiently assessed her child's condition. She retrieved the family medicine box from the drawer beneath the wardrobe—fever medication, thermometer, cooling patches.
After tearing open a cooling patch and carefully placing it on Logan's sweaty forehead, she sat by the bed, dampening a washcloth with cool water to gently wipe her son's neck and palms.
Nina brought in some warm water and asked quietly, "Mrs. Windsor, should we try calling Mr. Windsor again? Or call the family doctor?"
"No need," Caroline's voice remained steady. "If he doesn't want to answer, it doesn't matter how many times we call. A doctor would only recommend what I'm already doing. I can handle this."
She took the water glass and used a cotton swab to moisten her son's cracked lips. "Nina, you should rest. I'll take care of this."
Nina hesitated, then sighed softly and gently closed the door behind her.
Caroline turned off the overhead light, leaving only the small night lamp. She sat on the carpet beside the bed, her back against the edge.
Every half hour, she checked Logan's temperature, changed the cloth, and offered a few drops of water.
Outside the window, the sky gradually shifted from deep black to gray, then to light. The hallway remained silent. Arthur hadn't returned. No messages from him appeared on her phone.
---
Just after six in the morning, a slight turning of the lock sounded at the door. Arthur entered, carrying a chill from outside.
He removed his suit jacket, tossing it carelessly on the sofa arm, and loosened his tie, his face showing traces of fatigue.
Caroline had just risen from the bedside, stretching her numb legs when a sweet, cloying gardenia scent drifted toward her—Heidi's signature perfume. The scent was strong, as if it had clung to him all night. Her throat tightened.
Arthur seemed to notice her only then, his gaze sweeping over her wrinkled clothes and exhausted face.
He avoided her eyes, his tone casual. "The company had an emergency international meeting last night. It ran late, so I just dozed in the lounge."
Caroline said nothing. She walked to the table and poured a glass of warm water, the coolness of the glass seeping through her fingertips.
Something in her chest felt as if pricked by a tiny needle—not painful, just a numb coldness. He couldn't even be bothered with pretenses anymore. Staying out all night was becoming the norm.
She carried the water glass back to the bed and gently helped her groggy son sit up. "Logan, drink some water."
Logan's fever had broken. He took a few sips from her hand, his eyes opening to slits. Seeing Caroline, he turned his small head away, refusing the glass. His voice was raspy from illness and clearly resistant.
"I don't want any more water. I want to go to school." He paused, then added quietly, "But I don't want Mommy to take me."
Caroline's hand froze in midair, still holding the glass. She stared at the back of her son's head, her mouth opening but no sound emerging.
The bedroom door pushed open and Layla ran in wearing her pajamas, her face excited. "Mommy! Is Daddy home? Daddy said he'll take us to school today!"
Logan immediately turned his head, his eyes brightening. "Really? Daddy's taking us?"
"Yes, yes! Daddy promised!"
Both children instantly forgot about illness and awkwardness, excitedly discussing which car their father would drive and whether he might stop for the newly released toys.
They completely failed to notice Caroline standing frozen by the bed, water glass in hand.
After getting the children ready and finishing breakfast, there was still some time before school started. Their neighbor Libbie came over with her daughter Rena, looking apologetic.
"Caroline, I'm so sorry, but I have an emergency. Could you possibly take Rena to school with you?"
Caroline nodded. "Of course, no problem."
Just as they approached the school gates, she spotted Arthur's black sedan parked at the curb, hazard lights blinking. The passenger window was halfway down.
Heidi leaned in, carefully adjusting Layla's red scarf in the back seat, her smile radiating tenderness. Arthur watched her from the driver's seat, his lips curving in a rare display of softness.
Logan rolled down his window on the other side, his small head poking out as he waved impatiently at Heidi. "Ms. White, hurry up! We'll be late!"