Maureen met his gaze impassively. “Surely Mr. Sutton doesn’t think anyone enjoys remembering when they acted like a desperate suitor?”
Geoffrey stiffened, his food suddenly losing all appeal.
“No one wants to live without dignity forever.”
“Now I believe only those who treat me well deserve my affection.”
“Are you referring to Gareth?”
Geoffrey clenched his chopsticks.
One year engaged. Three years married.
Yet it all paled against some childhood playmate?
Maureen set down her bowl.
“I’m full.”
“Don’t forget your medication, Mr. Sutton.”
Her final words carried pointed emphasis.
Geoffrey had no appetite left; he was already full of anger from her.
Why hadn’t he noticed before how sharp–tongued Maureen was?
Outside, the sky darkened, heavy and oppressive. A thunderclap
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echoed, lightning splitting the gloom.
Maureen checked her phone–eight in the evening.
This was usually when she called Zoe and checked on Jacob.
A tall figure blocked her light. Geoffrey had appeared behind her without warning.
“What are you looking at?”
Maureen snapped her phone shut, turning to face him.
His expression had softened slightly, but his eyes remained piercing.
“Finished eating? Can I leave now?”
“In such a hurry–did Gareth contact you?”
Geoffrey’s tone was deliberate, measured.
Maureen sensed an edge in his words: “What do you mean?”
Why did he keep bringing up Gareth today?
Right then, Maureen’s phone rang.
A glance confirmed it was Gareth calling.
Her pulse quickened.
But Geoffrey remained unnervingly calm.
“You get five minutes. Hang up and come straight back.”
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Maureen darted outside with her phone, scanning for people and cameras before answering.
“Hello?”
Maureen, Ethan was taken by Geoffrey’s men.”
Gareth’s words exploded like a thunderclap in Maureen’s ears. She finally understood what Geoffrey had meant earlier.
“What do you mean?
How could Ethan be taken by Geoffrey?”
“When did he discover Ethan?”
“Does he know Ethan’s true identity?”
“Wait–Jacob! What about Jacob now?”
Her composure shattered completely..
This was too sudden. She never imagined Geoffrey would uncover Ethan so quickly.
“Don’t panic yet. I’ll handle things here and return immediately.”
“You must stay calm. Geoffrey likely doesn’t know Ethan’s background. Even if he did, the child is his–he’d never harm his own flesh and blood. Don’t be afraid.”
Yet Maureen couldn’t steady her trembling.
Heavy raindrops splattered against her face as she stood outside.
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Her hands still shook when she ended the call.
Maureen remained in the downpour until the cold rain numbed her panic.
She walked back to the villa.
Geoffrey stood tall and slender nearby, swirling a glass of wine in his slender fingers.
“Didn’t I say five minutes?”
His gaze swept over her drenched form, taking in her hollow–eyed expression.
Gareth told her about the child.
Geoffrey downed his drink in one gulp, carelessly set the glass aside, then grabbed a towel and walked over to Maureen.
“Too dumb to get out of the rain?
How did you even survive abroad these years?”
His eyes darkened as he spoke, wiping her hair with the towel.
Even he couldn’t believe his own actions.
Yet here he was, doing exactly that,
Maureen’s face was pale, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. “Where did you take my child?”
Geoffrey’s thin lips parted. “Somewhere safe.”
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Maureen broke down completely, her eyes reddening. “Give him back to me!”
Geoffrey’s hand stilled.
“Before I do, I have a question.”
His throat tightened, the corners of his eyes flushing red. “Is Ethan really yours and Gareth’s child?”
Ethan?
Maureen froze in disbelief.
Before she could process it, Geoffrey continued, “Forget it. Don’t answer.”
He leaned close to her ear, his devilishly handsome face radiating coldness.
“Remember who I am now?
Ms. Ramirez.”
Maureen remained silent.
Geoffrey threw the towel to the floor, grabbed her wrist with his large hand, and pulled her toward the stairs.
“What are you doing?”
Panic seized Maureen.
Arriving at her old bedroom, Geoffrey pushed the door open with his
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free hand.
The first thing that met the eyes was a conspicuous black–and–white photograph and a cremation urn.
“Amusing?”
Geoffrey’s eyes reddened, each word deliberate. “Did Gareth teach you this?”
Outside, rain poured relentlessly. The drumming echoed in Maureen’s ears, dampness clinging to her skin.
She dropped the pretense of amnesia. “I just wanted to leave the past behind. Start anew.”
Geoffrey laughed bitterly, tightening his grip on her wrist as he closed in.
“Leaving the past behind meant faking your death?”
“Did you ever consider how I’d feel?”
His other hand brushed her cheek, feeling her tremble.
“Afraid of me?”
Maureen bit her lip until the taste of blood flooded her mouth. “Geoffrey, I beg you–give my child back.”
“He isn’t yours. He’s Gareth’s son. Please, return him to us.”
Hearing Maureen declare the child wasn’t his-
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Something snapped in Geoffrey’s mind. “If I recall, you got with him barely a month after we decided to divorce?”