Chapter99
Geoffrey bundled her into the car and signaled the driver to depart.
Rain fell late into the night, carrying a wintry bite through the
darkness.
Shivering in her thin clothes, Maureen huddled away from the chill until Geoffrey pulled her firmly against his warmth.
Summer hadn’t even ended–why was she so sensitive to cold?
Resting her head against his solid shoulder, the delayed effects of alcohol merged with rising resentment. “Geoffrey,” she murmured, “I suddenly remembered our wedding day.”
Ilis arms stiffened around her.
Iler whisper filled the space: “Other brides were carried out of the car. Only I walked out alone.”
A bitter tightness seized his chest. “You remember such details remarkably well.”
Maureen remained eerily calm, her eyes reflecting nothing but self- mockery.
“Maybe people only remember the bad in others…”
Geoffrey unconsciously tightened his grip around her arm.
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“You’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk. I’m perfectly sober.”
Maureen tilted her head to gaze at Geoffrey’s sharp jawline. “You’re an exceptional man, but not a good husband. I hope someday you’ll let go of your prejudice against me and set me free. Maybe then we could be friends.”
Friends?
Just two months ago, she’d been flirting with him. Now drunk, she wanted to be friends?
Guess liquor really loosens the tongue.
Geoffrey’s throat tightened inexplicably, remembering her confession back in university days.
IIc’d said they could be friends.
But she’d snapped: “Love is selfish. It’s possession. If you won’t be my boyfriend, I won’t settle for friendship!”
“If you can’t be mine, I’d rather pretend you’re dead.”
Geoffrey’s chest grew heavier. Staring into the pitch–black night outside the car window, the corners of his eyes reddened without warning.
“You want us to be friends?”
He lowered his voice.
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Maureen nodded. “Mm.”
“As long as you’re willing to let Steven and me go, willing to let bygones be bygones.”
Geoffrey tightened his arms around her: “Impossible.”
She was right before–how could people who’d been married ever be just friends?
If she insisted on leaving, it would only happen over his dead body!
Maureen’s eyes dimmed completely as she gave a bitter smile. “If I’d known you held grudges like this, I should’ve asked for a divorce when we got married.”
If I’d known–again!
Geoffrey remembered all those times she’d said she regretted marrying him. Frost settled over his expression.
He didn’t respond.
The car raced through the night, silence thickening inside.
Maureen felt dizzy, her cheeks flushed.
Geoffrey thought she’d caught his cold and reached to check her temperature, but she flinched away before his fingers touched her forehead.
His hand hung frozen mid–air before he ignored her resistance and pressed his palm firmly against her skin. No fever.
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“Enjoy drinking so much?”
He asked knowingly.
Maureen ignored the jab. “When can I see Steven?
He scares easily. I’m worried he’ll be terrified alone in this unfamiliar place.”
“That depends on your behavior.”
Geoffrey stated.
Maureen looked lost. “What kind of behavior?”
Geoffrey reached out again. Maureen didn’t dodge, watching his hand land on her check.
She couldn’t help asking, “Geoffrey, I don’t understand.”
“What?”
“Have you fallen for me?”
Maureen enunciated each word clearly.
If he cared, why wouldn’t let her touch him?
Geoffrey’s hand froze, then swiftly withdrew from Maureen’s face.
He resumed his usual indifference.
“Of course not.”
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Maureen realized Katherine had been overthinking earlier. A man this prideful could never fall for someone like her.
No wonder he kept rejecting her advances despite her efforts.
She smiled calmly. “Good. If you suddenly developed feelings, I wouldn’t know how to handle it. Better you never care for me.”
She meant every word. Just imagine-
Loving someone over a decade who never returned your affection, who hurt you deeply.
Then one day, they claim they’ve fallen for you.
What would you do?
Forgive and restart the relationship? Or choose differently?
Geoffrey couldn’t grasp her meaning.
“What about you?”
He stared directly at Maureen. “Do you still have feelings for me?”
Maureen met his gaze and shook her head.
Just as Geoffrey’s expression hardened, she added, “I don’t know.”
“But what I know is, now on nights without you, I can fall asleep easily too…”
Her words were so casually spoken, yet each pierced Geoffrey’s heart
like needles.
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In the dark moving car, under dim interior lights, Maureen didn’t see Geoffrey’s reddened eyes.
Geoffrey turned toward the window, equally unaware of his own change.
After drinking, Maureen became talkative again.
Not caring whether Geoffrey listened, she continued on her own:
“I know the thorn in your heart is betrayal. Now our Ramirez Family has fallen, getting the punishment we deserve.”
“If, I mean if, I return the money and projects promised by the Sutton and Ramirez Families, could you let bygones be bygones?”
Geoffrey’s throat felt clogged with cotton.
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