Chapter 123 The Mistress Revealed
After taking with Charles, I decided to shoulder some of Linda’s duties. They were manageable and offered valuable experience.
Olven my pregnancy, was careful not to overt myself, so I didn’t take on all of her workload.
With these additional responsibilities, myschedule filled quickly, and time flew by. Two days later, James announced he had secured a new place to live.
Before departing, James regarded me earnestly and said, “If you’re comfortable, I could pay rent and stay here a bit longer wouldn’t be ideal for you to be alone during your pregnancy without someone around to take care of you.”
“James, don’t worry. I’m handling things fine. Besides, your new place is close by, right? If I need anything, I’ll reach out to you without hesitation,” I responded
His concem touched me, but hoped he would eventually let go of me. I was already pregnant, and understood he might not be comfortable with the idea of becoming a fatherto my child.
James sighed in response but didn’t create any trouble for me as he left, carrying only atem simple bags
1 had to admit that having someone else around made the apartment feel liver. Now that James was gone, the quiet emptiness of the room only amplified my sense of loneliness.
it wasn’t so much that I missed him specifically. It was the pregnancy hormones. They intensified all my emotions, terning each feeling, whether joy or sadness, into something overwhelming composed myself, took a shower, and went to bed thad work to concentrate on and a life to lead
Fortunately, I didn’tencounter Rowan over the next few days. I wasn’t sure if he had tumed to home country or was staying with Ashley
As the weekend approached, our besiness development department circulated a very listing various entertainment activities Each employer was asked to vote for their preferred option. The activity with the most votes would become our weekend team–building event
To my surprise, our department head invited Linda to join us. It was a fitting, development department and had maintained positive relationships with everyone.
sidering she had been one of the original members of our branch’s business
Ashley walked closely beside Linda, greeting me with her usual polite tone whenever our paths crossed, “Ivory”
Her voice grated on me, so chose to remain silent.
“brory, you don’t have to be so distant with her. She’s actually quite nice.” Linda defended Alley. Her defence de curious glances from our colleagues, highlighting my negative attitude toward Ashley.
key as a replacement for her late sister, Sophie.
I was taken aback by how quickly Lindabad bonded with Ashley Linda probably saw Ashley
Ashley bit her lip and reassured Unda, “It’s alright, Linda Ivory might just be worn out from work and feeling down. I get it”
Linda seemed comment with Ashley’s brief display of empathy, though Touldn’t quite grasp by.
After joining in a few activities at the villa party organied by the business development department, I slipped away in a terrace for a moment of solitude,
Linda quietly materialized bind me as if out of thin air. “Do you truly despise Ashley that much?
“Are we supposed to be inseparable pals? Tshot back, findingher question absurd.
“Back then, Sophie loathed you just as intensely.” Linda brought up Sophie again.“In the end, she gave up her lite Ashley reminds me of her, though she’s gender. Sometimes 1 wonder if things would’ve been different had Sophie been more like Ashley.”
That explained why Linda seemed so contented earlier.
“Quit bringing this up to me. I’ve already told you, I had no invent with Sophie. I don’t even know her,” I sad, sinking into the recliner and staring at the nearby scenery I continued, “You should tell Ashley she’s simply taking over Sophie’s position and explain how important Sophie was to Rowan
Linda frowned disapprovingly at my detector. She spoke coldly, “I mentioned she reminds me of my late sister, but I won’t burden her with Sophie and Rowan’s past. I’m not as wicked as you are.”
“Me, wicked?” I was genuinely baffled “Am I to accept the baseless actions simply because of someone I’ve never even mat? should know jump in the river as penance for learning about Sophie’s firs?”
Lindaled at me with spite.
Frustrated, rose to my feet and poised at her. Linda Clark, sten closely. I’m not the one who caused the rift between Sophie and Roman, but Ashley was the mistress who Interfered in my relationship with Rowan.
*Spare the tocking fairy tale of true love! if you see Ashley as your new Sophie, then go ahead and look after her. I’m even willing to divorce Rowan and let Ashley take my place. That’s the most generous offer can make Don’t push me into doing something she’s not ready to handle!”
As I finished speaking, I noticed Ashley and several collegues from the business development department standing at the terrace door with drinks in hand, frozen in surprise. Ashley’s face was a mix of shock, hurt, and embarrassment, her tears deliberately exposing her vidnerability.
they appeared completely word.
All my colleagues had heard me. While we usually conversed in Lumish, they understood Etherian as well Now, Ashley abruptly tuned and dashed away, Conored, Linda woted to follow her but first tumed to me with a question. “Do you really have to do that? You and Rowan both divorced now! What’s the point of singing her out?
With that, Linds hurried after Ashley.
ly, “You see that? Ashley snatches my ex–husband, and I’m expected to be thankful. Otherwise, I’m painted as
Espered, took a drink from a colleague’s hand, and mocked casually, awicked person. How ridiculous.”
Mycolleagues‘ mactions were completely diverse. I wondered what those few male colleagues, obviously charmed by Ashley’s appearance, were contemplating. Frasially strolled away, unconcerned about hulling officechatter. After all, Ashley ended up looking worse, not me.
Themenwapped upon a
se note the so the friction between Ashley mul myself. After leaving the villa, I made a beeline lot my can, eager to retum here
Chapter 123 The Mistress Revealed
Just then, Rowan’s vehicle pulled up nearby. He emerged from the car, his expression unreadable. Surprisingly, he hadn’t departed the country. He must have been with Ashley this whole time.
Linda walked by me, holding Ashley’s hand, and paused before Rowan. Their conversation was out of my earshot, and soon after, Ashley began to dab at her tears
Life was full of surprises. Linda had long held a grudge against Rowan. Could she be considering a reconciliation with Rowan because of Ashley?
Linda’s concerned expression was that of an older sister entrusting a beloved younger sibling to someone else’s cate
As Rowan listened, his eyes suddenly locked onto mine. I cursed my perfect eyesight, which allowed me to read his shifting emotions so clearly even from such a distance.
His face shifted from disinterest to annoyance, then softened into empathy, which weighed heavily on me
I slid into my car, ignoring them completely, and drove off without a backward glance.
When I got home, my phone rang. I was anticipating Rowan’s call to defend his “innocent girlfriend, but to my surprise, Ivan’s name appeared on the screen instead.
I picked up the phone, and Ivan’s voice came through: “Benjamin’s been trying to reach you. Did you block him?”
“Yeah, I did. Why’s he reaching out to me? Lasked, sinking into the couch and closing my eyes to get some rest
I blocked Benjamin when I went abroad. At first, I had sought emotional support through him, but I realized it wouldn’t be right to entangle him in a misguided relationship at his young age. So, I ended up blocking all his contacts.
Chapter No Feelings for Ashley
“abcrl to jest disappear after using him like that? Despite han’s woods, his smule Ingered in his tane
I couldn’t detect any hintothin fading me cruel from what hend
“It’s part,” band with a sigh rast, rebed on him for motional support that as we got closer, is he was mily a good person Fouldn’t keep using him Blocking him was
“Well, that’s certainly one way to show you’ve got a conscience,” Ivan temarked, antused by my words. Then, he asked, “What should tell him if he asks about you
pid Benjamin actually po to bvan’s hospital to ask about me? I was surprised by how much becared about me.
Feeling even more gudby, I hesitated for a moment before replying. “Jest inform him that after my dworce from Rowan, I relocated overseas for work. I won’t be back for at least two wear. He can reach out to your work–rep
Htook a moment bets asking. “He’ll come to me for work–relead sues is he in the medical field?
“He’s not but you can help him with other work–related challenges, right? Dr. York, doctors like you are known for compassion lease, show him some kindness”
My attempt to pult–trip him left him speechless. He was likely pondering how his compassionate natime as a doctor could translate into helping someone with their career
elis, think of it as doing meat. If you help him, consider it a debt owe you.” Thantly added. I didn’t plan on leaving that debe unpaid.
“And how de vou plan to repes me? han fullrasked.
suggested. Reflecting on the day’s events, 1 reconsidered and added, “Then again, maybe not. Dr. York, Ashley can be quite buchy, Choosing can hune lasting consequences. I’d advise eating Rowan take that risk.”
“What if 1 help you out with Ashley the WT
Ivan’s beam laughter echoed through the phone. He seemed genuinely amused
Ilent, encertar whether he was mocking me. Ivan were to fall for Ashley, I would intervene again. I would step back and respect his choices, no matter the outcome.
“Them, I’ve abonos wondered. Who told you had a thing for Ashley? And why are you so convinced I’d be into her?‘ asked.
“Didn’t you have feelings for her?” I questioned
Deep down, I smised something was off about van in this time. Yet, another part of me held onto the belief that he would eventually develop feelings for Ashler, although it micht bucjami later than in my past life
“I don’t have beelings for her, han stated.
I was shocked “Remember when you mentioned being drawn to someone you could pursue because of her situation? Wasn’t that Ashley?
İvan stone numed serious all of a sudden “Why does it have to be Ashley? Why couldn’t it be you?
My mind went blank as it a lighting bolt had just track inside my head was momentarily shinned What on earth did wants?
“situatein “he was entering to was because no divorce with Rowan hadn’t been finalizedback then?
Buddenir. I recalled jeant’s woods. She had mentioned that he was belong inilyard. At the time, it contined me, but Theld onto the belief that everything would
(of my previou be, with han endly dracking Imlings for Ashley.
Brompletely reshape the storyline of relationships atter myrbath‘ torrent of questions flooded my mind, indring me speechless.
“Surprised” han laughed. “I was just giring an example, Ashley un’t the only woman around Why should be fixated on her? There are plenty of women whose situations would
My heart drained. I breathed asichorzelet and replied, “Yau surprised me.
Tet, beneath my besperise, Trouldn’t shake the feeling that we had sewed my unease and found his words to res are me
Ashley going forward She’s herself, and I’m me. I’m not interested in her,” Iwa sad with a sigh.
Thân some trouble. At the same time, Tabo understood that this supposed amniscience had its limitations. Many drials were Land avoid projecting futer expectations on him in the present
“Alright. I’en sorry I misunderstood you” Tadsch
at make nice you take care of yourself and keep an eye on your diet,” Ivas advised.
for a bit, Thung up Right after tha i message hom the hospital came upon my phone.
in was for my upcoming pratal appointment. After checking the date, Indard almost a month had passed since my checkup Time had slipped away without me even anting
The
checkup procedure was
i was distinct from what it was like in my home country began a calize this compared to what je had told me about.
Around two mendia into my pregnancy, Funderwent blood tests for Down syndrome screening and discovered the baby’s gender. It was a girl. My next appointment was
scheduled for a detailed ultrasound scan.
Ish of let, knowing it was a girl I’d been worried sick about having a boylike that jerk van would have delen mei
“Sweetheart, you’ve got to toughen up and take after me, your mom!“ Imunmured, pretly rubbing my abdunum. I was naturally slender and way in the early stages of pregnancy, so my abdomen esined that mough that on one would suspect I was expecting whmidersand up.
The doctor also mentioned my health condition and emphasized the need to carebelly sanch my nutrition intakes great my body from becoming too trall, which could malnutrition for the baby.
With that in mind, I humed to the kitchen to perper a simple yet nourishing dinner for mysell.
I had just finished dinner when Jean’s video call came in. She was at the Lowson residence, lounging on the couch like a queen while Chester fed her nuts.
Jean pushed Chester’s hand away and tumed to me. “Ing, did you hear? Roman’s jumped onto that Stomland project.”
“When did that happen?” I asked.