“Why didn’t you answer my call?” he asked again. Sylvia clutched her towel tightly and pointed at her bed, whispering, “I was in the bathroom. My phone is left charging by the bed. I didn’t hear anything.” “What took you so long inside the bathroom?” he continued to voice his annoyance. Sylvia pursed her lips and said, “It’s just half an hour…” He stared at her protruded lips. His gaze felt cold and dominating, and her rounded eyes felt meek and helpless. They locked eyes for a few seconds before the man looked down at the towel around her chest. “You don’t wear clothes at home?” he asked. “I just came out from the shower. I didn’t even get the chance to put anything on,” she said in a small voice. The man’s expression remained frosty. “You have to put something on even after a shower. What if someone comes in?” “I’ve locked the door…” “Someone still can come in even if you lock the door.” “No one else came in other than you.” Odell was rendered speechless.
His towering figure surrounded her like iron walls. She got nervous and her face got redder. He chuckled at her reaction. He lifted her face and kissed her again until he felt pain on his lips once more. He gasped in pain and was forced to release her lips. He stared at her coldly and she reacted by shrinking her neck meekly. He grunted and then held the back of her neck. Just before they locked their lips again, she said, “Odell, I’m still pregnant. Don’t do this, please.” His hand froze and he stared at her blankly. Her eyes were reddish and teary. She was begging for him to stop as if she was worried that he would hurt the baby in her belly. Disgust rose all of a sudden and he took a step back. Sylvia held the towel around her chest with one hand and hugged her belly with the other. She was in a defensive stance. He glared at her coldly and then decided to leave the room. His towering figure disappeared from her sight in the blink of an eye, and the door was
Isabel and Liam were waiting for her at the door. Their smiley faces looked extra adorable under the sunshine. Sylvia smiled and kissed each of them on the cheeks before she brought them into the house. A day went by in the blink of an eye. The sky turned dark without noticing and Odell still had not come home. “Why is the Big Baddie not home yet?” Isabel pouted and asked. Sylvia pursed her lips and said, “Daddy might be busy with work.” “Hmph. I think he’s dating,” the girl grumbled. Sylvia looked disheartened. She stroked the girl’s head and said, “Daddy and Aunt Lily are engaged. It’s normal for them to go on dates.” Isabel pouted but did not say anything else. Liam, on the other hand, frowned. He clearly remembered his father tried to kiss his mother the other day and now he went out dating Aunt Lily? A while later, Odell was still not home and it was getting late. Sylvia got up and said to the kids, “Isabel, Liam, Mommy is going home for the day. I’ll come
On the second morning, Sylvia woke up punctually and had breakfast like usual. She then took a ride to the gynecology hospital in the city center. She waited for her turn in the public waiting area. All the other young mothers who were also waiting for their turns were accompanied by their husbands. One of the young mothers was having a difficult time and her husband pampered her by hugging and cheering her up. The other young mothers were also chatting with their husbands intimately and there was even a couple behind Sylvia discussing their child’s name. Everything felt heartwarming and yet it was a luxury that she could not afford. She looked down at her belly and said softly, “My dear child, Daddy isn’t here but I’ll be here with you always.” …Meanwhile, in the office on the highest floor of Carter Tower, the man was behind his desk working on his documents. Ding! His phone rang and the caller ID showed Lily’s name. The shared project between the Carter famil
However, she could still hear their voices from behind the divider. The waiter attended to them politely. “Welcome, sir, madam. This is our menu. What would you be having today?” Lily asked, “Master Carter, what do you want?” Odell said, “I’m okay with anything. You order what you like.” Lily said with a smile, “I came back to Westchester City for less than a year and I’m still having a hard time learning the local specialty. Why don’t you order for us? I’m okay with anything as well. I’ll have what you are having.” She sounded lively and gentle. Odell then said to the waiter, “All your signature dishes.” “Uh… Okay, yes sir. Right away, sir.” The waiter was slightly taken aback by his order. Lily was also stunned speechless. Sylvia was also surprised. Lily was his fiancée and yet he acted like he was having dinner with a stranger. For a moment there, she failed to hold back her urge and giggled. The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy. Sylvia anxiously covered her
Just when the situation started to get awkward, the waiter served their dishes. The waiter was also surprised by their demeanor, but he managed to keep his smile and said to them, “Sir, madam, your order is here.” Lily smiled at Odell and said, “Master Carter, we shouldn’t be disturbing Ms. Ross. Let’s go back and sit down.” Odell shot one last glance at Sylvia before he returned to his seat. Lily sat down opposite him. The waiter served their food as soon as they returned. The baby in Sylvia’s belly finally calmed down. She sighed a breath of relief and continued eating. She gobbled down everything as quickly as possible and went to the counter to pay for the meal. After making the payment, she strode out of the restaurant. Little did she know, Odell had been staring at her from the moment she got up until she left his sight completely. He felt disheartened as he watched Sylvia leave in a hurry as if she was being chased by something. Why would she react so anxio
Liam was reading his book on the other end of the couch. Isabel was writing her homework at the table. Her grumpy looks stated that she was forced or even coerced into doing her homework. Sylvia was surprised to find the father and children in the living room. The three of them turned to her as soon as she came in. “Mommy!” Isabel abandoned her homework and ran to her mother. Liam also put his book down and got up. Only Odell remained at his seat lazily. His eyes, however, were looking at her coldly. Sylvia carried Isabel and walked to Liam before she greeted the owner of the house, “Good morning.” Odell continued reading his newspaper and ignored her greeting. Sylvia pursed her lips and then said to her children in a small voice, “Isabel, Liam, why don’t we go back to the room and Isabel can continue doing her homework there.” Odell was obviously unhappy with her, so it would be better for her to disappear from his sight. Isabel hummed a reply and went to tidy up
Two days went by in the blink of an eye. In the past two days, Sylvia would run into him in the morning when he left for work but other than that, she did not see him at all. He probably waited for her to leave before he came home. Today, after her simple breakfast, Sylvia took a ride to Carter Residence as usual. Again, when the car stopped in front of the house, the familiar towering figure came out from the gate. He went straight to his black sports car as if he did not notice Sylvia’s ride stopping in front of the house. Sylvia hesitated for a second before she got out. She wanted to tell him that she would not be coming for a few days, so he did not have to avoid her for the time being. However, before she could catch him, he got into the car and drove off. Sylvia furrowed her brows as she watched the car disappear from her sight. …20 minutes later, the black sports car arrived at the boxing gym in another district. The man came down from the car and strode