Chapter 8X
The next morning, after a sleepless night, he picked up his phone and made a call.
“Do you remember the tulip tree you helped me transplant ten years ago?” His voice was rough, drained of warmth. “Can you go to that park and find one that’s been growing for ten years?”
His friend caught the subtle shift in his tone and hesitated before asking, “What happened?“”
He let out a breath, his expression distant. His fingers curled around the phone as if grounding himself.”
“Natalie… it seems like she doesn’t want me anymore.”
By the time the tulip tree stood in its rightful place again, Charles took a step back, staring at it with quiet satisfaction.
He spent the afternoon carving a wooden plaque, his hands steady as he etched the words:
“In commemoration of Charles and Natalie’s twentieth year together.”
His friend sighed but said nothing before turning to leave.
Later, Eleanor called. Charles glanced at the screen before silencing it. When the calls persisted, he simply turned off his phone. After hanging the plaque, he tidied up the courtyard, his movements slow but deliberate. Once everything was in order, he made a call to a lawyer to discuss custody rights.
He recalled Natalie once saying she could accept the child. That thought lingered, stirring something deep within him.§
By the time the day’s busyness faded into silence, the courtyard stood neat and undisturbed.
Charles sat alone at the dining table, his gaze unfocused, his mind drifting back to her.
Two days. It had only been two days, yet she filled every corner of his thoughts.
Restless, he pulled up yesterday’s surveillance footage. His chest tightened as he watched her leave, no luggage, no hesitation. Just a small bag in hand.
She would come back. She had to.
He just needed to use this time wisely, to set things right, to make sure that when she returned, she wouldn’t have a reason to be angry anymore.
“Damn!”
Charles kicked over the dining table, sending plates and cups crashing to the floor. His fury didn’t stop there; his palm cracked against his own cheek, one slap after another, as if punishing himself.
When Eleanor entered with Orion after punching in the password, she was greeted by the sight of Charles slumped on the floor, drowning in despair.
Her eyelid twitched. She rushed forward to support him, though the weight of her pregnancy made her movements slow. Her belly had already begun to show.
“Charles, what’s wrong? I heard Sister Natalie left?”
Though her words carried concern, the corners of her lips betrayed her, lifting ever so slightly.
Charles caught it immediately. His gaze darkened.
“She left. That makes you happy, doesn’t it?”
Eleanor studied his face carefully, ensuring his attitude toward her remained unchanged before daring to reveal the truth in her heart. “Of course, I’m happy!“>
She softened her expression, mimicking Natalie’s gentle smile.
“Charles, this means Orion, and I can finally stand beside you openly.“S
She sighed, then lowered her voice, a hint of grievance slipping in.
“As for Sister Natalie… if she wants to leave, then let her. Otherwise, what if next time she forces Orion to eat something else? She has never given birth; how could she possibly understand the pain a mother feels for her child?”
Her eyes welled up, shimmering with unshed tears.§
But before a single tear could fall, a strong hand clamped around her throat.
Charles’s face remained emotionless, but his eyes were ice–cold, void of mercy.§
“Eleanor, I told you, don’t even think about replacing Natalie!“}
His grip tightened, cutting off her breath and nearly choking her unconscious.
In the end, he flung her aside like she was nothing, her body hitting the ground with a thud. Coughing violently, she struggled for air, but he spared her not even a glance. Instead, he seized her by the arm and dragged her out of the courtyard.
Orion stood frozen outside, utterly lost.
Charles looked at him, a dull ache forming in his temples. For the first time, the sight of this child grated on his nerves.
If only he were Natalie’s child instead…!
His lips pressed into a tight line, emotions churning.
Without hesitation, he arranged for a nanny to handle Orion’s daily care and school matters. Then, he called a lawyer. Eleanor had to pay for everything.
