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Chapter 12
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A Free Relationship Chapter 13
Seth had actually moved out. Maisie slept for days, recovering from the emotional torment caused by Ethan and Felicia, along with the physical exhaustion from sleeping with Seth repetitively. Eventually, she began to feel like herself again. She wasn't fond of takeout, and there was a small supermarket nearby. So, she went on a shopping spree and stocked Seth's otherwise empty fridge, which had held nothing but a few cans of beer. His apartment was large, occupying over 1,000 square feet. However, as he lived alone, only the master bedroom showed signs of use. The study and gym were well-furnished, but the treadmill was covered in dust.Maisie had nothing to do, so she cleaned the place from top to bottom for three days. While cooking her own meals and enjoying the spotless space, she finally felt like she was back to normal. During the period of conflict with Ethan, she had felt like a completely different person as her mind had been weighed down with resentment. She hadn't l
A Free Relationship Chapter 14
The first time Seth had seen Maisie had been on his way out of the library after an evening study session. She had been huddled in a hidden corner by the entrance, crouching with a few stray cats.She had been so small, barely bigger than the cats themselves. It had been pouring outside, and she hadn't had an umbrella, clearly stranded there by the rain.He had started toward her and had intended to offer his umbrella, but Ethan had beaten him to it. The latter had rushed up from behind, asking, "Seth, do you know her?"Seth had shaken his head."Then, let's go." Ethan hadn't understood why Seth hadn't moved. He glanced back at Maisie and realized she had seemed to be crying. Her eyes had been red and puffy, and her face had been pale.Many years later, Seth would learn that it had been the day Maisie's parents had divorced.It had turned out that her father had been unfaithful and had another child with his mistress. Out of anger, her mother had taken Felicia and had moved abroa
A Free Relationship Chapter 15
Seth had felt pathetic. He had promised himself that he'd give up if this didn't work. But then, he had heard sounds from the room next door at the hotel.The rough breathing of a man, along with the soft moans of a woman.He had succeeded.Perhaps it had been the alcohol or the pressure from work. More likely, it had been the woman Seth had hired—seductive, skilled, and impossible for Ethan to resist.Either way, Ethan had cheated.The two of them had carried on through the night, while Seth had lain awake in his room, staring at the ceiling.…The next morning, Ethan had called, crying, "Seth, do you have time? I could really use a drink."At the bar, Ethan had silently downed glass after glass of alcohol. Seth had tried to stop him. "Take it easy. Your health matters."But Ethan had been on the edge. "Just let me drink."Seth had known why, so he hadn't intervened again. In the end, he had taken Ethan home when he had been completely wasted.Maisie had been worried sick.
A Free Relationship Chapter 16
Seth had thought that after more than a decade of betrayal, Maisie would surely choose to leave. But he had underestimated her endurance.She had cried, fought, and broken down. Yet, in the end, she always forgave.This time, though, Seth finally understood. It wasn't that Maisie couldn't let go of Ethan. It was that she couldn't let go of the only lifeline she had clung to all these years.Ethan had been the one who pulled her out of her darkest moments. She was terrified of drowning in sorrow again, so she held on to him tightly and refused to let go no matter what.She feared being swept away by the current or dragged under by the waves.Since that was the case, Seth thought he could become her new lifeline. He could replace Ethan.Felicia had been an unexpected bonus. When Seth found out Ethan had been involved with her, he knew that the time had come.He had waited for six months before Maisie finally called. His hand that had held the cigarette had trembled as he had answe
A Free Relationship Chapter 17
Maisie soon found a place to stay and moved out with Coco. However, in her haste, the new apartment had its shortcomings.It was a newly rented unit in a somewhat desolate area, and it lacked convenient amenities. But Coco was happy as there was a large grassy area downstairs where she could play.Maisie bought a stroller and took her out for walks every day. Coco's health was declining, and even walking a few steps left her panting heavily.After a trip to the vet, the doctor advised her to prepare for the worst because Coco's condition could worsen at any time. So, Maisie devoted as much time as possible to being with her and tried to make her last days as joyful as they could be.On the weekend, Bret Walkman, her former class representative, called to invite her and Ethan to celebrate his newborn son's first birthday. Maisie didn't tell Ethan and took a cab to the event alone.The celebration was held at a restaurant in the city center. She was slightly delayed because of Coco'
A Free Relationship Chapter 18
Quincy's theory was blunt and straightforward."If you're going to marry, make sure it's to a rich man. There's always a price to pay. You're holding onto your feelings, and I'm holding onto my money. So, we're pretty much in the same boat."Maisie didn't respond.Quincy leaned in, covering her mouth with a hand as she whispered in Maisie's ear, "But as a reminder, you need to keep your money close. He can sleep around all he wants, but you can't let him spend everything on other women."Just the other day, I saw in the news that the woman Ethan is with now is draped in Bulgari from head to toe. And look at you...""So what? It's not like it's woven from gold threads.""Don't be naive. If you don't spend Ethan's money, he'll just spend it on someone else."Maisie thought back to the last time she saw Felicia at that exclusive restaurant. She could sum it up in three words: luxurious and extravagant.After her parents divorced, she and Felicia had been split up and assigned to d
A Free Relationship Chapter 19
Maisie paused for a moment before realizing the implication behind Ethan's question. She reached out to grab his arm. "Don't cause a scene here. It's Bret's son's birthday—""Maisie." Ethan shook off her hand. "Just answer me. Who's the father?"The force of his push sent her stumbling.Bret, suddenly sober, rushed to grab Ethan. "Are you crazy? What's wrong with you? Who else could be the father if Mais is pregnant? How could you even ask that?"Maisie collapsed onto the table, shattering a bottle of wine in the process. Quincy hurried to help her up.Ethan loomed over her furiously. "Who is it? Tell me!"Maisie sneered. "Does it even matter?"…Deep down, Maisie yearned for an escape, perhaps a trip somewhere far away to clear her mind—anything to temporarily distance herself from the suffocating pressure of being with Ethan and Seth.Nevertheless, Coco needed her, and that meant she was stuck.When she finally got home, her phone was flooded with missed calls. Most were from Seth.
A Free Relationship Chapter 20
Maisie's apartment was a modest two-bedroom unit, barely over 500 square feet. She occupied the smaller bedroom, while the larger bedroom had been given over to Coco.Seth strode in and scanned the whole place in seconds.When he caught sight of Coco sprawled out on the bed in the master bedroom with her tail wagging in greeting, he merely scratched his nose and retreated."How did you even find this place?" Maisie asked.Seth deflected her question. "I've been hungry all day. I just lugged up a few dozen pounds of groceries to the 12th floor. If you're going to interrogate me, at least let me catch my breath."Maisie had no retort."I'm starving. Can you whip something up? I haven't eaten all day.""What do you want?"Seth casually gestured to the bag of groceries he had brought. "I picked these up at the supermarket. You figure out what to make."Maisie rummaged through the contents, her frown deepening with every item. "You got ripped off. These cucumbers are broken, and th
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