Chapter 31
On her way home from work, Leanne’s mind replayed the icy stare Curtis had given her that morning. She debated whether to apologize. After all, her words had been sharp.
But then, she remembered the deeper cuts he’d made, never once offering an apology for his stinging remarks.
“Forget it. It’s all gone. Apologize.” She thought inside.
With only a month left, she didn’t want to leave a legacy of awkwardness and silent
battles.
In matters of the heart, the one who loved more was often the one to compromise.
In the end, Leanne’s internal struggle was for naught. By eight o’clock, Curtis was still a no-show.
Recently, Laura had toned down her efforts, halving the portions, leaving Leanne to dine. alone in a spread fit for a dinner party, making her wonder why she was scrimping more than a hired help.
However, Laura was proactive, having witnessed the sparks flying between Leanne and Curtis the night before. Something might have happened if Leanne hadn’t received the abrupt call from the hospital.
Later, Jake had called to say Leanne had caught a cold, and Curtis had rushed to the hospital with a warm coat early in the morning.
While Laura couldn’t grasp the couple’s hot-and-cold relationship, she knew spats and make-up were part of married life.
Unaware of the hospital argument, she offered, “Shall I ring Mr. Curtis to see if he’ll be
home for dinner?”
With Leanne’s approval, Laura eagerly dialed the number. But her smile faded with the news. Curtis wouldn’t be returning that evening.
Leanne wasn’t surprised, merely continuing her meal. “If he’s not coming, let him be.”
Ever more adept at slipping locks, the cat appeared from nowhere, leaping onto Leanne’s lap, purring for attention.
Leanne couldn’t resist.
Since Curtis was out and the cat had been cooped up for days, she allowed it some freedom.
She stroked the cat as she ate, picking at the dishes Laura had prepared, like steaks and fried fish, half of which she didn’t care for.
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Chapter 31
Alpine Elegance was a restaurant with old-world charm, designed by a master architect to resemble a classical garden, complete with small bridges and a flowing stream, offering a
scenic view at every step.
But deep into autumn, even the evergreen trees showed signs of desolation.
Dressed in a traditional dress, the restaurant manager stood gracefully at the table, her movements elegant as she served drinks to the guests.
The restaurant manager shivered when Curtis entered, bringing a gust of cold air.
Another hostess in a traditional dress helped Curtis off with his coat as he casually took a seat. The restaurant manager presented him with a glass of wine.
“What do you need from me?” Curtis inquired.
Savoring his wine, Maddox replied casually, “Can’t I dine with you without an agenda?”
Already irritated from the day’s events, Curtis had little patience, even for his father. “Spit it out. I’m not in the mood.”
“When you’re in a foul mood, you must deal with it yourself,” Maddox retorted. “The world doesn’t revolve around your bad days.”
Curtis scoffed, “True enough, coming from my father.”
Maddox cut to the chase. “What’s your take on the merger between ElitePinnacle and VentureVista Securities?”
Vector Vista Bank was the bedrock of the Richardson Group, holding trillions in assets, primarily in savings, loans, and payment settlements.
Its investment arm, VentureVista Securities, enjoyed the solid background and resources accumulated by the Richardson Group over nearly a century, with Vector Vista Bank as its financial fortress, an inexhaustible treasury.
But despite its backing, VentureVista Securities lagged behind ElitePinnacle, the brainchild of Curtis.
Since Curtis’ return, Maddox had considered merging ElitePinnacle with VentureVista
Securities.
Chapter 32
Curtis casually lifted his glass, replying, “That shabby little stall of an outfit, VentureVista Securities, thinks it can merge with my prestigious ElitePinnacle? It’s like a poor boy marrying a golden daughter. Dream on.”
Maddox had never heard of a business merger compared to marriage and was momentarily speechless. “VentureVista is backed by VectorVista Bank. A merger with your ElitePinnacle is hardly a step down for them.”
Curtis raised an eyebrow. “You think I need your money?”
The look on Curtis’ face was practically begging for a punch.
Just as Maddox was about to respond, Curtis clicked his tongue. “Never mind. You do have deep pockets.”
Maddox was at a loss for words.
He hardly lost his temper.
-Despite its shortcomings, VentureVista Securities was Vector Vista Bank’s investment arm
and the Richardson family’s property.
“A merger is not out of the question,” Curtis said leisurely, sipping his wine. “Have your good-for-nothing VentureVista Securities become part of my ElitePinnacle.”
He meant he wanted VectorVista’s resources, but VentureVista would have to take on the ElitePinnacle name.
Maddox had been thinking about incorporating ElitePinnacle into the Richardson Group, but his ambitious and greedy son wanted to get something for nothing.
What should have been a straightforward merger turned into a giveaway. After a lifetime in business, Maddox had never been on the losing end like this, and his blood pressure
was rising.
“You’re playing a clever game,” he remarked.
Curtis gave a sly grin. “You’re the one who schooled me in that, right?”
There was nothing Maddox could do. After all, Curtis was his son by blood.
With a wave of his hand, Maddox conceded, “Okay, have it your way.”
The outside world was all rumors about their family affairs, like brotherly feuds and covert power struggles, but Maddox had his plans.
His eldest son, Phillip, had been groomed as the successor from a young age.
With the business talk out of the way, Maddox called for dinner to be served. The kitchen
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had been ready for a while, and soon, dishes arrived at the table.
Maddox wasn’t much for conversation, and Curtis wasn’t in the mood that day, so they ate quietly until Maddox finally spoke up.
“Have you and Anne settled the divorce?”
Curtis forked a bit of fish, gave it a critical taste, and commented, “This fish isn’t done right. It’s got too much of a fishy taste.”
Before Maddox could try it himself, he gestured with his hand.
Someone immediately removed the fish and brought Curtis a fresh fork.
Curtis didn’t touch his food again, loosened his tie, and took a sip of wine before he said, “I’ve been busy and haven’t gotten around to it.
His company had just moved back stateside, and he did have a lot to do.
Maddox advised, “Once you’re through this busy spell, take some time to talk with Anne. Meet any reasonable demands she has. She’s been through a lot these years. Make amends and part on good terms.
Curtis said nothing, slowly finishing his wine.
“What about Grandma?”
“The psychic predicted three years, and now that time’s up. Your grandma’s health was stable these two years. She won’t object. She is reasonable. She can’t keep you two together for life.”
“That’s debatable,” Curtis smirked. “Grandma loves her drama.”
Exiting the restaurant, Curtis got into his car. Jake waited a moment before asking, “Mr. Curtis, where to today?”
Curtis, who had closed his eyes, opened them again and glanced at Jake through the
rearview mirror.
“What do
you
think?”
Trying to guess the mysterious mind of his boss was beyond Jake, but considering Curtis’ rare moment of consideration that morning, delivering clothes and leaving with a stormy expression, it seemed there was another argument. He ventured a guess.
“Back to the apartment in Hawthorne?”
Curtis replied, “Wrong guess.”
Jake was internally exasperated.
Curtis closed his eyes again. “Let’s just go home.”
Chapter 33
Halfway through her meal, Leanne heard the front door open. Curtis had returned.
He had the kind of chiseled features, a roguish charm that more reserved and steady Phillip could never claim. Curtis carried an air of aristocratic nonchalance like a modern-day playboy with a touch of old money.
The temperature had dropped even lower that day, and Curtis had layered a black overcoat over his grey suit, tempering his usual casualness with a dash of mature masculinity.
Leanne was caught off-guard by his sudden return. She was momentarily frozen in place, and by the time she collected herself, Curtis had already stepped inside, nonchalantly tossing his coat over a dining chair’s backrest.
He glanced at the dishes on the table and a half-smile played on his lips. “The grub has gone up a notch with Laura back in the kitchen.”
His comment made Laura beam with pride. “I thought you weren’t coming back for dinner today. Ms. Leanne is nearly finished. I’ll whip up a couple more dishes!”
Leanne understood Laura’s joy all too well. She too had been dazzled by Curtis’ sweet talk in the past, completely disoriented by his charm.
Without mentioning he’d already eaten out, Curtis took his place at the table and picked up
his fork.
Leanne glanced at the cat on her lap, still hidden from Curtis’ view by the table. She pondered whether to pick up the cat and whisk it back to her room out of Curtis’ sight, or to keep it hidden, hoping he might not notice and make a fuss.
But Curtis had sharp ears and overheard the cat’s purring. He looked up, his eyebrows slightly knit together.
Leanne didn’t get the chance to leave before the cat, having sensed a change in the atmosphere, leapt onto the table, eyeing Curtis curiously yet cautiously.
The smile that had been on Curtis’ lips moments ago disappeared, and his brow furrowed. “Why is that thing still here? I thought I told you to get rid of her.”
Animals were sensitive to human emotions, and the cat shrank back slightly upon his
harsh words.
“Enjoy your meal,” Leanne said quietly, picking up the cat to return it to the other room. She didn’t come back to the dining room, instead grabbing a book and sitting in the living room to wait for him to finish eating.
Curtis, feeling the evening had been soured, watched Laura serve the new dishes. By then, he had already set his fork down.
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Chapter 33
“Done eating already?” Laura asked with a hint of concern.
Curtis wiped his mouth with a napkin, his voice laced with implication, “I’ve had my fill of my wife’s vexations.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you.” Leanne felt unjustly accused. After all, she hadn’t known he would come back unexpectedly.
Curtis chuckled dryly. “So, you’re saying I shouldn’t have come back?”
Leanne didn’t want to argue over such trivial matters. After a few seconds of silence, she set her book down. “Do you have a moment now?”
“No time,” Curtis drawled, “I’m busy digesting the annoyance in my stomach.”
Leanne persisted, “I have something important to discuss with you. You’re always too busy, can we talk now?”
Curtis gave her a long and inscrutable look, then leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, the coldness in his gaze unmistakable.
“Go ahead,” he said.
Leanne glanced at Laura, still standing nearby. “Let’s talk in the room upstairs.”
She rose and headed for the staircase, Curtis watching her slender figure disappear up the spiraling steps.
He pulled out a cigarette from a pack, tapping its end before drawing one out and placing it between his lips. Flicking a lighter, he ignited the tip.
The blue flame briefly illuminated his face as he took a deep drag, then set the lighter down on the table. The curling smoke partly obscured his features, leaving Laura unable to read his expression or the sudden and tense atmosphere that had descended, leaving the hot meal untouched.
Curtis’ gaze swept over the steaming dishes on the table. “Why did you make eggplant and lettuce?”
Laura blinked, a touch of hurt in her voice, “You don’t like them? I thought I was making your favorites.”
Curtis raised an eyebrow. “Since when did I say I liked eggplant?”
“But you praised the eggplant I made last time. And you used to love the pickled lettuce, didn’t you?”
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It was such a distant detail that it was barely within Curtis’ memory.
“Do you make these two dishes a lot?” he asked.
Laura looked sheepish as she murmured, “Well…”
“No wonder she’s getting skinnier every year.” Curtis said icily.
He was the kind of guy who wore a smile like an easy garment, exuding a carefree charm that led people to think he was approachable, a real easy-going fella.
But when the smile faded, an innate and indifferent vibe emanated from him, striking a chord of intimidation.
“She’s picky and won’t touch eggplants or lettuce. Didn’t you know that?” Curtis pressed.
“I thought you liked them…”
“How often am I home to eat, huh?”
His casual retort carried an undercurrent of icy pressure that hit you head-on.
Laura was startled, fiddling with her hands, her voice dropping to a whisper, “So, should I not make it anymore?”
Curtis didn’t answer and meant to put out his cigarette but remembered there was no ashtray in the house.
Stubbing out the cigarette on the eggplant dish, he left it there, got up, and headed upstairs.
The master bedroom on the second floor was a grand suite, a living area greeting you at the entrance. Leanne was perched on a grape-purple velvet sofa, her head tilted back against the cushion, her gaze vacant.
She had been waiting a while before she heard footsteps ascending.
When Curtis entered, his eyes fell on her.
Leanne’s neck was exposed under the clear light, her skin smooth and delicate, resembling flawless marble complemented by the emerald hue of her jade pendant.
Curtis still remembered the delicate softness when he touched her skin.
Leanne, who had been staring blankly at the light, winced slightly from the brightness and took a few seconds to register Curtis’ presence.
Regaining composure, she sat up straight as Curtis’ attention shifted away from her, indifferent.
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“You…” Just as Leanne was about to broach an important topic, Curtis’ attention got caught by the double bed behind her.
“What did you hide under the blanket?” he asked.
“Nothing…” Instinctively, Leanne turned to look as well.
But indeed, there was a noticeable bulge in the neatly spread blanket, something that wasn’t there when she changed clothes after coming home. She hadn’t paid any attention
to the room since.
Curtis walked over and flipped back the blanket. To his surprise, he found a bunch of colorful little kittens, all curled up and fast asleep.
Leanne was clueless about when the cat had stealthily hidden her litter in her bed.
She was momentarily stunned, then amused and baffled.
The door to the downstairs room was locked, only accessible from the outside with a key. How had the mother cat managed to break out?
Curtis furrowed his brow immediately, dropping the blanket and stepping back, his distaste clear as day.
Leanne quickly stood up and approached, fearing he might throw the kittens out the window in a fit of rage.
Curtis’ voice was strained with patience, “Leanne, even if you can’t stand me and want to get rid of me, you could at least be a bit more subtle about it.”
Leanne was speechless. How could these tiny and stumbling kittens be lethal to him? Did they overwhelm him with cuteness?
“Could these kittens kill you? You’re a bit fragile, don’t you think?”
“Fragile?” Curtis almost laughed but was interrupted by a sudden sneeze.
He quickly backed away again, covering his nose, but couldn’t stop the barrage of sneezes that followed.
Leanne realized, “Are you allergic to cat hair?”
Curtis snorted, “You’re just figuring that out now?”
“You never said, how was I supposed to know.” There was a slight hint of guilt in her voice, “Believe it or not, it wasn’t me who hid them here.”
“If not you, then who? Me?”
Leanne couldn’t explain how the mother cat had managed an escape, daringly and meticulously relocating her kittens to the bedroom, nestled under the blanket, in a bold attempt to deliver a lethal blow to Curtis.
Chapter 35
Curtis couldn’t stand another minute in the room. With a huff, he announced, “I’m crashing into the guest room.”
Leanne called Laura for help. When Laura arrived and saw the kittens, she gasped, “Holy cow, how did they get in here with the door shut tight?”
Together, they herded the kittens back downstairs, only then noticing a window that had been cracked open at some point.
“The mother cat must’ve figured out how to open the window and snuck in from the garden. She’s so clever.”
The mother cat inside was scratching at the door, its howls eerie and forlorn.
As soon as Leanne opened the door, the cat’s cries turned into purring sweetness.
Leanne couldn’t help but soften as the cat nuzzled against her hand, looking for affection. She sighed and said, “Planning some murders on Curtis without even giving me a heads-up, huh?”
Laura’s eyes nearly popped out of her skull in shock, thinking she might have heard
wrong.
“Maybe we should just find them new homes. Mr. Curtis is allergic. It’s no small matter. Cat hair gets everywhere, and no amount of cleaning can keep up with it.”
Some colleagues at the hospital had reserved a kitten, and Joy was blasting social media daily to find them adopters, but three were still unclaimed.
The kittens weren’t even a month old, too young to be given away. The mother cat was no spring chicken, which only made finding her home even harder. There was no quick fix for their situation.
Leanne was worried.
“Tomorrow we’ll get some childproof locks for the windows,” she mumbled, stroking the cat’s docile head, her chin resting on her knees.
“It shouldn’t be for too long.”
She and Curtis were on the brink of divorce. If she hadn’t found homes for the cats by then, she’d take them herself.
Laura misunderstood. “Have you already found someone to take them?”
Leanne said, “Change the bedding in the bedroom and give it a thorough clean.”
After washing up and changing, Leanne got herself a glass of water and took an antihistamine to the guest room, tapping gently on the door.
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“Come in.”
She then pushed the door open to find Curtis stripping down for a shower.
His shirt was undone to the last button, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his well-defined abs beneath the fabric.
He always kept in shape. Once, Leanne had sneaked a peek at his abs during a quick change and got caught.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “I know you’ve got your eye on my body, but can you keep it together during the day?”
His tone was stern like a paragon of virtue, but by night he’d be guiding her hand, tracing the contours of his muscles.
Leanne set the tray on the dresser near the door, careful not to step inside.
“Take your medicine.” said Leanne.
With the final button undone, his shirt slid off, revealing his muscular upper body. It was a blend of strength and masculine allure.
He didn’t even glance at her as he replied, “I’ll take it later.”
Leanne handed him the pill and water. “Now.”
Curtis gave
her a sidelong glance, took the pill from her palm, washed it down with a sip of water, and only then asked, “What’s this?”
“Cyanide,” Leanne replied dryly.
It was a deadly poison.
A single dose could be lethal.
Curtis chuckled softly. “Is that how you want to get rid of me?”
Leanne took the glass back from him.
She never wanted him dead, but there were moments she did hate him.
Why did he have to treat her this way? Why could he go from loving her to not, so
suddenly?
Curtis had only taken a sip from the glass, much like his approach to women. It was never more than a taste.
Leanne thought to herself, he was always fickle, his passion for any woman fleeting. What made her any different?
She stared at the mostly full glass, seeing herself, a woman briefly loved, then quickly discarded.
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The only foreseeable outcome was being tossed aside.
“Curtis.” Leanne suddenly looked up.
He had been heading towards the bathroom but now paused, turning to glance at her, “What now? Upset that the cyanide didn’t finish me off?”
Leanne didn’t respond, she just gazed at him silently, her eyes filled with affection.
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Her gaze held him in a pool of calm and clear light, brimming with deep and unabated longing.
It had been ages since she had looked at him that way. Or, to be precise, she had never looked at him with such tenderness.
Curtis was momentarily taken aback, his eyes softening as the corners of his mouth. curled up slightly, “Why the lovestruck gaze?”
“We should get a divorce,” Leanne said plainly.
That sentence had been rehearsing in her mind ever since Jennifer had first approached her, echoing over and over.
Perhaps due to her emotional immunity, voicing it out felt like a burden lifted, despite the waves of pain that surged in her chest like a flooding tide.
Letting Curtis go from her heart was no easy task.
His smile faded, replaced by a mysterious stare that lingered on her for a long time.
“There’s less than three weeks left until our three-year agreement is up,” Leanne reminded
him.
“Is this what you’ve been meaning to talk to me about all this time?” Curtis asked.
She nodded in confirmation.
With a scoff filled with mockery, Curtis said, “There are still three weeks. What’s the rush? Found someone new already?”
Her resolve hardened against his scornful words, any lingering sentiment swiftly eroding
away.
“It’s none of your concern. Once we’re divorced, we’re square. You can chase whoever you want, and I can see whoever I please, no strings attached.”
A cold smirk played on Curtis’ lips, his voice sharp as an icy glacier, “You just can’t wait to get rid of me, can you?”
He turned and walked into the bathroom, leaving her with a chilling promise, “Don’t worry. I’ll stick to the three-year term, not a day longer.”
Yet another discordant parting.
After his shower, Curtis left and didn’t return the whole night. Leanne only found out the next morning from Laura.
In the days that followed, he was nowhere to be seen.
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hapter 36
Selina was restless as ever. After two days in bed, she was climbing the walls, dramatically complaining that she’d start to rot if she lay there any longer.
Penelope had no choice but to get Selina an electric wheelchair. On sunny afternoons, she’d wheel Selina out for some fresh air.
Half an hour of freedom was nothing for someone as hyper as Selina. Seizing the opportunity when Penelope went home, she sent the nurse away on an errand and snuck out of the ward in her wheelchair.
After asking several nurses and navigating the elevator with her cast-laden leg, she managed to find the ophthalmology office.
Joy, with her flexible advertising job, came to wait for Leanne to finish work so they could grab dinner together.
“Just let me finish this patient file,” Leanne said, still busy.
Bored to tears, Joy sat in the hallway waiting when she heard someone ask, “Is Leanne in there?”
Looking up, Joy saw a bandaged figure maneuvering an electric wheelchair towards her, only one eye visible amidst the swathes of gauze.
Turning towards the office, Joy shouted, “Dr. Castillo, you’ve got a mummy coming your way!”
Selina was speechless.
It took a moment for Selina to realize she was the ‘mummy’ in question. If it weren’t for her broken leg, she might have leapt out of the wheelchair in protest.
“You’re the mummy!”
Leanne glanced back, recognizing Selina, and then turned back to her work.
Undeterred by previous tensions, Selina shamelessly wheeled herself into Leanne’s office and started snooping around.
“Dr. Castillo, my eye is hurting again.”
“Deal with it,” Leanne responded without looking up. “Amy, take her back to her room.’
As Amy stood up, Selina glared fiercely, “Don’t lay a finger on me. If you take one more step closer, I swear I’ll throw myself out of this chair and make sure you get the blame.”
Amy was at a loss for words and quickly sat down, hands raised in a gesture of surrender, “Okay, no need to get worked up.”
Selina pressed on, inching closer to Leanne, “Come on, tell me the story about you and your husband.”
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At her words, the office fell silent. Everyone from the doctors at their desks to Joy playing
her game outside turned to look their way.
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Chapter 37
Joy tucked her phone away and leaned against the door, arms folded, giving her the once-over. “And who might you be?”
Selina shot her a sidelong glance. “I could ask you the same.”
With a flip of her hair, Joy declared, “I’m her husband here.”
“Please,” Selina’s smirk was a masterclass in disdain. “Are you her husband? You mean you’re Cur…”
Before she could finish, a cookie was shoved into her mouth, silencing the rest of her
sentence.
Leanne’s voice was firm. “Zip it. Back to your room, or you can kiss pain relief goodbye.”
Selina was speechless.
For the first time in her life, she felt cornered and had no choice but to submit. When the pain in her eyes flared up, it was unbearable!
Leanne had warned that the painkiller should be used sparingly, giving it to her only when she was absolutely desperate, begging like a child for just one drop of relief.
With her mouth begrudgingly shut, Selina seethed, “Fine, I won’t ask. But this is personal revenge!”
With time to kill and fully aware that Amy wouldn’t dare harm her, Joy leisurely walked over to Selina’s wheelchair, giving it a spin to face the other direction.
“Which room is she in?” she asked, “I’ll help you wheel her back.”
Amy’s gratitude was palpable. “Room 23!”
“Let go of me.” Selina’s voice boomed as she was unceremoniously pushed out of the office. “Let go or do you want a smack?”
Joy retorted, “Bring it on. Let’s see who slaps harder.”
Their noisy journey back to the hospital room ended with Joy trying to hoist Selina onto the bed against her will, while Selina clung to the wheelchair for dear life. Eventually, Joy -overpowered her in one swift move.
Selina was livid.
“I just want to know why she married Curtis. What’s the big deal? I’m just curious. She’s gorgeous and brilliant. Why not choose a decent guy? Curtis is a total loser, not worthy of her!”
Joy paused her rough handling, pointing a finger at Selina as if to say, “Good point, you’ve
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got taste.”
Then, she plopped down onto a nearby chair.
“Let’s talk turkey!”
After Selina left, Amy queried, “Why’s she been bothering you so much these days?”
Leanne shrugged it off. “She’s got the curiosity of a child.”
“Actually, we’re all pretty curious about you and your hubby,” another colleague chimed in. “Why all the secrecy?”
Maybe it was the repeated mentions of Curtis, Leanne was starting to feel irritated, the words on the medical charts blurring before her eyes.
“Because he’s not exactly easy on the eyes,” she said.
“Wait, so he’s ugly then?” The other person sputtered.
“Yep.” Leanne didn’t even look up. “He’s five foot nothing, bald with a beer gut.”
There was an awkward silence.
When Leanne finished up and went to find Joy, she found the pair deep in conversation within the private room.
“The Richardson family took Leanne in and everyone praised their noble hearts. Noble my foot!” Joy was practically spitting with passion. “After Leanne’s parents passed, the Richardson family didn’t care about her at all. It was only after that journalist’s story broke, afraid of looking ungrateful, that they bothered to bring her back.”
“Rich guys don’t have a bit of conscience,” Selina chimed in, conveniently forgetting her own father was one of those rich guys.
“The only one with a bit of conscience in the Richardson family is Mary. I heard she’s Christian, which probably means she’s kind-hearted.”
Joy shook her head with a knowing smirk. “Mary is no saint.”
“Don’t talk about Mary behind her back. She’s been good to me,” Leanne cut through their gossip session.
They both turned to see Leanne at the door, not upset, but ready to leave. “Had enough chit-chat? Let’s go.”
“Hey, wait!” Selina protested like someone had turned off her favorite show just as it was getting good. “You haven’t finished the story!”
Joy, too, was reluctant to end the conversation. After all, as Leanne’s sole supporter in a lonely battle, she had finally found a kindred spirit and was eager to bring Selina into the fold.
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“Heh, I could go for more chat.”
Leanne quipped, “Weren’t you hungry?”
Joy, usually all about her meals, shrugged it off. “Missing one meal won’t kill me.”
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Chapter 38
“Hey, include me in your dinner plans!” Selina called out with a mischievous glint in her eyes, attempting to slide off her hospital bed despite her broken leg. “I need the scoop today!”
“What exactly do you want to know?” Leanne asked, her tone tinged with suspicion. “Did Suzan put you up to this?”
“I swear Suzan has nothing to do with this. We haven’t been in contact for ages,” Selina declared firmly.
“You were pretty much the Richardson family’s foster child. How on earth did Leanne end up marrying Curtis?” Leanne leaned against the doorframe, her coat draped over her arm, her expression cool and detached.
“So, if I satisfy your curiosity, you’ll leave me in peace?” Leanne queried with a raised eyebrow.
Selina nodded fervently, “Yes, absolutely!”
“Fine.” Leanne closed the door to the hospital room and took a seat next to Selina’s bed.
“Ask away,” she prompted.
Selina blinked her big doe eyes, suddenly the picture of innocence. “I just want to know why you married Curtis. Rumor has it you took advantage of a breakup, got him drunk, seduced him, and then blackmailed him with some compromising photos. Is that true?”
Joy rolled her eyes so hard they almost disappeared. “As if! You’re giving her way too
much credit. She’s not a mastermind.”
Leanne sighed, “Thanks, I guess, for the offense.”
“So, why then?” Selina pressed. “Was it for love?”
Of course, it wasn’t love.
The truth was that Leanne’s marriage to Curtis was like something out of a soap opera.
Leanne knew Jennifer didn’t care for her. After starting college, she made it a point to stay away, not wanting to be a thorn for Jennifer. But before she could graduate, the Richardson family faced a public relations nightmare.
Maddox, the family’s trusted lieutenant at VectorVista Bank, had been betrayed by a subordinate who sold secrets to a rival. On the eve of his arrest, the man committed
suicide. His widow made a scene with banners outside the bank and even threatened to
jump off the building’s roof.
The scandal was everywhere, fanned by social media and manipulated by those with agendas. The Richardson family was accused of driving an employee to his death, and
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even the circumstances surrounding Joseph’s passing were dredged up for public speculation,
The Richardson family could wield power to stifle the situation, but they knew better than to block the flow of public opinion. Their PR team devised a plan: marry Leanne into the family.
It would dispel rumors about Joseph’s death and showcase the family’s generosity in taking care of an employee’s orphaned daughter, thus polishing their image.
Jennifer was against it.
But then Mary, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, fell gravely ill. After several dire warnings from the hospital, a renowned spiritual advisor was consulted. He walked the grounds of the Richardson family and declared that Mary’s fate was not yet sealed. The family’s prosperity was tainted with a life taken, and now the karmic debt had come due for Mary. The solution was to marry someone with a fate that countered the Richardson family’s to break the cycle.
By some stroke of fate, Leanne was a perfect match.
Wealthy families often hold superstitions close. Though Jennifer was reluctant to trade Curtis’ marital happiness, she was faced with Mary’s tears, “Do you want to see me die?”
Unable to handle the guilt from such allegations, Jennifer gave in and agreed to the
marriage.
Soon after, a beautifully crafted love story of Curtis and his childhood sweetheart turned bride went viral, skillfully orchestrated by the Richardson family. The PR crisis was swiftly resolved.
The narrative was touching, but it was 99% fiction. Only Leanne knew that she and Curtis were anything but childhood sweethearts. They were just two strangers who happened to grow up under the same roof.
Curtis’ true childhood crush was Suzan.
Perhaps out of protection or some other scheme, Curtis kept Leanne’s identity
well-guarded throughout the ordeal.
Aside from a vague and atmospheric wedding photo that didn’t clearly show her face, Leanne’s identity remained a secret to the outside world.
Only family, close friends, and inner-circle acquaintances knew she was Curtis’ wife.
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Chapter 39
“Man, the drama in high society never ends, does it?” Selina mused, her expression a mix of awe and amusement. “Makes my dad’s little affair a child’s play.”
Joy gave her a side-eye and said, “Girl, are you for real?”
“I’ll tell you all about it some other time.” Selina waved off the question and turned to Leanne. “So, did you go through with it?”
A bittersweet smile tugged at Leanne’s lips. It was meant to be a grimace, but instead, there was a serene coldness to it as if she was facing her destiny with a calm
indifference.
Unlike Selina, who was accustomed to the luxuries of nobility, Leanne had lost the shield of her parents early in life, growing up amidst one struggle after another.
All she ever wanted was some peace and stability.
If she had a choice, she wouldn’t have wanted to get involved in this mess.
She had wanted to say no, but Jennifer, already aggravated by Mary, had snapped, “Leanne, we took you in, raised you and funded your education. Now our family needs your help, and you don’t get to say no.”
Spoiled Selina wasn’t about to worry about obligations.
“That’s nothing. You gotta look out for yourself and forget about so-called debts of gratitude. If you feel like repaying, fine. If not, they can go kick rocks! I mean, you’re just a little too sincere. If it were me and my parents died because of someone else, I’d be milking them for all they’re worth, not just settling for a ‘thank you!”
It was hard to say. After all, squeezing money out of the Richardson family wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, was it?
At that moment, Leanne just felt weary, a deep mental exhaustion. She responded absently, “Sure, next time.”
But there wouldn’t be a next time.
At the sight of Leanne’s subdued mood, Joy didn’t bother arguing with Selina and instead took Leanne out to grab a bite to eat.
At the dinner table, when Leanne mentioned she had brought up divorce with Curtis, Joy nearly dropped her steak.
“Honey, you finally saw the light! You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this day!” Leanne offered a weak smile. “Why does it seem like the whole world wants us to split?”
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Chapter
“Who else is there?”
“Jennifer, Devin, the tabloids…” Leanne paused, “And himself.”
Curtis had probably wanted a divorce for a long time.
Although Joy had been rooting for the divorce, hearing it out loud still stung. She knew the kind of life Leanne had been living these past years.
Others might not care, but Joy did.
“Curtis is just a pretty face with a fat wallet. What’s so great about that?” Joy declared, flippantly. “You’re better off without him. Let’s go find you a fresh college boy! I mean, you know what’s harder than a diamond in this world?”
do
Leanne’s thoughts were elsewhere, so she didn’t anticipate where Joy’s loud voice would take them. The violin music in the restaurant was suddenly drowned out by Joy’s booming declaration, “It’s the dick of an eighteen-year-old college jock!”
The restaurant fell into an awkward silence.
The violin faltered its melody, waiters stared with open mouths, and a girl in a white dress accidentally spat her drink onto her date.
Bathed in the gazes of everyone around her, Leanne couldn’t even pretend to be upset
anymore.
She propped her forehead with her hand, shielding her eyes from the onlookers, and muttered, “Thanks for the comfort, Joy. I’m not sad at all now.”
Because, at that moment, she was consumed by embarrassment.
Joy shrugged off the stares, defiantly glaring back at the other patrons, proud as a peacock. “You gotta admit, it worked.”
After dinner, it was late. Leanne and Joy went their separate ways. Leanne hailed a back to her Crystal Cove Villas.
As night deepened, the car weaved through the glittering stream of neon lights. Slowly vibrant cityscape gave way to the tranquil vistas that led to her home.
Chapter 40
Leanne peered out the window, her gaze glancing across the night sky speckled with a meager handful of stars. In the distance, the silhouette of Northwood Heights loomed faintly.
Her eyes lingered there for a long time.
Truth be told, Leanne never expected to fall for Curtis.
Despite growing up under the same roof, Leanne wasn’t fond of Curtis. In fact, she disliked him a bit.
Curtis was a bit of a rebel in school, dating around, getting into fights, you named it. Once, he landed a school bully in the hospital. When the school demanded his parents come in, he showed up with a bruised face, all cocky, hands in his pockets, and said, “My folks are too busy for this small fry stuff. Whatever you’ve got to say, you can tell me. I can take responsibility for my actions.”
So the teachers called Leanne instead.
They didn’t dare lay into Curtis, but they weren’t so gentle with her, their attitude both fierce and stern, insisting she get someone from the Richardson family to show up.
With no choice, Leanne phoned Jennifer, who thought she was the one causing trouble at school and gave Leanne an earful.
Therefore, in her eyes, Curtis was essentially a heartbreaker and a harbinger of trouble.
For Leanne, who just wanted to steer clear of dramas and live a peaceful life, he was nothing but a major headache.
They held no affection for each other. At the start of their marriage, they were quite estranged. They even slept in separate rooms on their wedding night. Since Curtis couldn’t get time off work, there was no honeymoon.
But as time went on, they got to know each other better and stopped feeling like
roommates.
Curtis, post-marriage, was nothing like the man Leanne had pictured. He was gentle, always smiling, and had a knack for sweet talk.
If he wanted to, Curtis could lift your spirits like no one else.
When winter came, Curtis finally carved out some time for a honeymoon. He planned a trip to Iceland, but on the day they were supposed to leave, a massive blizzard hit, and their flight was canceled.
They ended up taking shelter at Northwood Mansion, planning to catch the next day’s flight. But overnight, the snow sealed the roads, trapping them there.
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That winter, the snow fell heavily, and Leanne spent those days in a mountain villa, with a world of white outside and a cozy warmth within, with only Curtis for company.
It was there that they became intimate for the first time.
Leanne vividly recalled one day, feeling slightly listless, she was leaning on the window, her eyes drawn to the thick layer of snow outside. Curtis, unbeknownst to her, had come up from behind, following her gaze out into the snow.
Then he asked her, “Fancy going out and building a snowman?”
Leanne wasn’t sure if he had read her mind or if he just wanted to play, but either way, it was what she wanted. It had been years since anyone had joined her in making a snowman, not since her parents passed.
That afternoon, she had a blast. Curtis built his snowman next to hers, deliberately making it taller.
Leanne’s bit of OCD made her uneasy about the mismatched sizes, to which Curtis said, “How can I be your husband if I’m not at least a little taller than you?”
She paused for a moment.
Then Curtis placed two grapes on her snowman’s head as eyes, while his own had raisins. “I’m taller, you’ve got bigger eyes, okay?” he said.
Leanne replied, “My eyes aren’t that big.”
Curtis laughed, “Seriously? They’re about to drown me.”
Leanne turned to look at him.
Snowflakes had settled on Curtis’ lashes. His affectionate eyes were curved with a teasing glint as he said in a slow and playful tone, “Leanne, stop staring. You’re gonna
make me blush.”