Sylvia couldn't quite figure out what he meant by that.
But before she could ask, Rupert hurriedly picked up his phone.
On the other end, Reese's gentle voice drifted through.
"When are you coming home? I'm waiting for you."
"I'll be right there."
Rupert didn't even realize it, but as soon as he answered, his tone softened and he instinctively let go of Sylvia's
hand.
Sylvia rubbed her wrist, eyes lowered, and quietly slipped out of the car while he was distracted.
By the tRupert hung up, Sylvia was long gone.
He glanced at Orson. "When did she leave?"
Orson gave a helpless shrug. "While you were on the phone."
"Did she say anything?"
"N-no, Ms. Lloyd didn't say a word." Orson's voice trailed off.
Rupert leaned back in his seat, letting the darkness swallow him. He lit a cigarette
in silence, the smoke curling around him like a ghost in the mist.
"Let's go. And tomorrow-ordera bouquet of flowers."
His voice was rough, tight.
Back at Soho Bay.
As soon as he stepped inside, the warm scent of dinner hit him.
Then, out of nowhere, someone rushed over and threw their arms around him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIt was Reese.
"You're so late! Didn't you say your office was close by? | made you schicken noodle soup—con, have it
before it gets cold."
Rupert gently untangled himself, keeping his distance. He gave a noncommittal "Yeah," and brushed past her.
Reese caught the strong smell of smoke on him and frowned a little. "Rough day at work?"
"No."
His face was all cold, making it clear he didn't want to talk about it.
Reese sat down quietly, her eyes glued to him with longing. He was
glue eyet she felt like she could
never really reach him. s
Rupert drank half a bowl! of soup and said quietly, "You should go to bed. I'll clean
up."
To Reese, it sounded sweet-but when she looked up, she realized he hadn't
even glanced her way, as if she wasn't even there.
Her mind flashed back to what Kay had
"He's a man, Reese. Het
younan
Don't tellhe's not
interested in you at all!" Content Belongs to s
Was she really that unattractive?
As Rupert turned toward the kitchen, Reese stood up, wrapped her arms around him from behind, and held on
tight.
"Is it my leg? | can wear the prosthesis-Rupert, please..." Her voice broke with desperation.
"Reese, don't say things like that. None of this is your fault."
The words were meant to comfort but coming from him, they sounded as flat as if he were talking to
strangers
For a child-notthon
he was supposed to love. s
But that wasn't what she needed.
With trembling hands, she slid them under his shirt and tugged at his belt,
summoning every ounce of courage she had left.
Rupert immediately caught her hands, his grip cold and firm.
"Don't," he said, his voice sharp a warning.
"No! | want this! I'm a woman, Rupert. | just want my fiancé to be gentle with me,
is that too much?"
She pressed her cheek to his back, her voice choked with tears.
Rupert slowly released her hands, which felt like a silent agreement.
Her eyes burned as hope finally flickered to life.
But just as she fumbled nervously with his shirt buttons, Rupert brushed her hands away.
"Reese, | need to talk to you."
"About what?"
Her hands froze midair, her face drained of color, every word costing her everything she had left.
Seeing her distress, Rupert helped
her to the couch. raked deep’ m
| Ee \ ’ .
bregth, i getyou a glass of water.
Reese watched his retreating back,
tears streaming SCs” face. She
shegdigemifa & was going to
say. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Her chest tightened, pain ripping through her. She collapsed onto the floor, unable to breathe.
When Rupert cback with the
water, Reese was aigeqdy sprawled
op the dare hier Foe ghostly pale
i ) 5