Chapter 5

Hearing Travis's venomous tone, Nicole felt her heart turn to stone. After he finished his tirade, she asked calmly, "Is that all you called to say?"

Travis froze, caught off guard by the unexpected composure in her voice.

Usually, when he berated her, Nicole would respond with emotional pleas and desperate explanations. But now, her emotions were as still as a dead lake. She didn’t say a single word in her defense.

Travis yanked off his tie in frustration, throwing it to the floor. "What, did you think I'd say I missed you?"

”Are you finished? I need to sleep," her voice carried a hint of impatience.

Travis felt his anger surge.

How dare she?

Shouldn't she be begging for his forgiveness, trying to make amends?

Travis hung up in anger.

Hearing the dial tone, Nicole placed her phone on the nightstand, turned off the lights, and went to bed.

At the Graham estate.

After his tenth cigarette, Travis stared at his phone lying silently on the coffee table, its screen dark and lifeless. Before, whenever he hung up on her, Nicole would call back frantically. But now, his phone lay there in complete silence. No calls, not even a text from Nicole.

Travis crushed out his cigarette and slipped the phone into his pocket before heading upstairs.

At the master bedroom door, he gazed into the guest room, remembering how Nicole would peek her head around the corner, timidly asking to share his bed.

"Travis, can I sleep with you tonight? The thunder scares me."

"Travis, I just watched a horror movie. I'm scared. Can I stay with you?"

"Travis, I haven't seen you in days. Could I sleep beside you?"

"..."

No matter how pitiful she looked, Travis's answer was always the same, "No."

In three years of marriage, they'd shared a bed fewer times than he could count on his fingers.

The only time they'd been intimate was when he'd stormed into her room drunk after quarrelling with Lucy...

Travis felt a strange emptiness as he pushed open his bedroom door. Just as he headed for the shower, his phone buzzed on the nightstand.

He rushed to answer it, not quite acknowledging what - or who - he was hoping for.

When he saw Lucy's name on the screen, an inexplicable disappointment washed over him.

"Travis, tomorrow is Grandfather's birthday. I'd like to come too. Is that okay?"

Lucy's sweet voice came through, but Travis was distracted.

After a pause, he replied gently, "Of course. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

Lucy affected a worried tone, "Won't Nicole be jealous if you pick me up? I'm afraid she'll confront me again."

At the mention of Nicole's name, Travis snapped, "If she dares bother you, I'll deal with her myself!"

Hearing this, Lucy curled her lips into a satisfied smile.

"Travis, thank you. You're so good to me!"

Travis smiled softly. "Silly girl, who else would take care of you if not me?"

They chatted sweetly for a while longer before hanging up.

Early the next morning, Nicole finished her makeup and got dressed, then called Travis.

Travis was just starting his car when he saw Nicole's call. He smirked to himself.

Just as he thought - she was playing hard to get.

Travis figured Nicole had finally tired of her little game and was reaching out first.

Women shouldn't be spoiled, he thought, or they'd develop bad habits. The more he dwelled on this, the more deliberately he delayed answering Nicole's call.

When Travis wouldn't pick up, Nicole simply hung up and called herself a rideshare to the Graham estate.

She had only called Travis to suggest arriving together, hoping to avoid worrying William about another fight.

But then she thought, why bother putting on an act when there was nothing left between them?

As she stepped out of the car at the estate's entrance, she spotted Travis's car parked ahead.

Travis got out of the driver's seat, went to the trunk, and pulled out a folding wheelchair. After setting it up, he quickly moved to the back door, gently lifted out the woman inside, and carefully placed her in the wheelchair.

His every movement was tender, attentive, and thoughtful.

Nicole watched quietly for a moment before turning away.

Once, she had dreamed of receiving such love and care from Travis.

Now, she no longer wanted it.

Nicole lifted her dress slightly and walked in her heels into the Graham family estate.

The mansion was a century-old property in the heart of the city. The classical architecture merged with modern minimalist design - featuring pavilions, bridges over flowing streams, while the great hall was adorned with marble, European clocks, and murals.

Nicole entered the study to find antique sandalwood furniture - a desk and chairs.

William sat there in a traditional jacket with rolled-up sleeves, practicing calligraphy.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his face brightening at the sight of Nicole. He quickly set down his brush with a warm smile. "Nicole, you're here! Come, come, tell me how my calligraphy is progressing."

"Of course, let me see, Grandpa.” Nicole stepped beside him and studied the writing carefully. "The strokes are bold and powerful, showing great spirit. Your work has such depth!"

William nodded with satisfaction. "Ha ha, only you truly understand my art, Nicole!"

As they chatted happily, they heard the sound of wheels rolling across the floor outside the study.

"Grandpa, Lucy and I are here to wish you happy birthday."

Travis stood at the doorway, pushing Lucy's wheelchair.

Because of the raised threshold at the study's entrance, the wheelchair couldn't enter, so Lucy could only smile from the doorway, "Happy birthday, Grandpa William!”

William’s smile froze as he looked at the pair in the doorway.

As Travis called for two servants to lift Lucy and her wheelchair into the study, William let out a cold snort.

"Outsiders should stay in the living room."

Lucy's face alternated between pale and flushed.

Biting her lip, she said softly, "Yes, Mr. Graham.“

After a moment, noticing that Lucy was not moving, William added, "Why are you still here? I need to discuss family matters with my grandson and his wife. This isn't a place for outsiders."

Lucy's eyes immediately welled with tears. "I'll leave right away, Mr. Graham,” she said, hurt evident in her voice.

Just as she was about to turn her wheelchair, Travis stopped her.

"Grandpa, Nicole should be the one to leave, not Lucy!"