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Chapter 40

Author: A.M. Zanoria
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
When the captain's voice came over the loudspeaker to announce their arrival in Aspen, the moment was lost in the general commotion of buckling seat belts and stowing goods away in preparation for landing. Michael looked at her for a long while before the captain's voice came over the loudspeaker.

Albert greeted them at the airport, giving Estel a lengthy look that was simultaneously compassionate, interested, and celebratory. Estel was pleased to see him, and in an outpouring of devotion, she gave him a hug and a kiss, which caused his wrinkled face to break out in a happy, somewhat embarrassed smile.

She greeted him with a kind grin and inquired, "How are you, Albert?" "And how are Shayne and Mandy?"

Estel was even more glad now that she had written to the Jones after her return to New York under false pretenses to explain as best she could. Why she had found it essential to remain there instead of returning to Aspen as she had said she would. Estel told them it was necessary to s
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    Estel continued to gaze at him, her emotions vacillating between hesitation and an almost overpowering urge to accept Michael's request. Because it was the first sign he'd given in days that he felt anything more for her than complete disinterest. She was willing to forego her doubts and use this first opportunity to get to know him more intimately. Her common sense told her that it stemmed only from Michael's sexual nature and not from anything meaningful. She couldn't fathom the change in his attitude. Still, she would use it to get to know him more personally. However, her throat began to close up when she tried to say yes. As a result, she only nodded her head and proceeded toward his bedroom on feet that appeared to barely touch the earth. Her belongings were in his room, and Estel breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that Michael wouldn't make her return to her old room, as she had a nagging suspicion that he might. A situation like that would have made her job much more

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    Estel gave a feeble shake of her head, desperately trying to get his mouth closer for a proper kiss, but he managed to avoid her lips. "Remember I said I wouldn't touch you again until you admitted I meant something to you?" Estel was only dimly aware of her surroundings as she emerged from her trance-like state brought on by Michael's sexiness. Her participation was much too extensive for that to be true. "You're my husband, Michael," she whispered to him. "I love you." "Of course, you mean something to me." Michael gave a slight shake of the head, the look in his eyes molten but intent. "I want to know what I mean to you, Estel," he stated gently but persistently. "In detail." Estel's impatience increased due to Michael's failure to promptly provide the gratification she desired. She was forced to concentrate on a response that might sate his curiosity while at the same time not revealing an excessive amount of information. She consented by saying, "I want to love you, Michael,"

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    Estel entered Michael's office carrying a tray of coffee while he was studying, replacing the telephone on its hook. Michael's attitude was detached and rather gloomy as he performed this action. Estel remarked matter-of-factly, "What's the matter?" as she set the tray on the coffee table and sat down to pour the tray's contents. "Bad news?" Estel's query coaxed Michael reluctantly out of his thoughts, and he looked at Estel for the first time as he responded with a question of his own: "What?" He went around his desk and moved to join her, settling beside her on the sofa and stretching his hand for his cup. "Oh, you mean the telephone call?" he said as he moved around his desk. "Yes," Estel responded with a grin as she allowed her eyes to wander over him with a sense of contentment. "You look as though whatever was said disturbed you. Who was it?" Michael responded, "Henrick," somewhat curtly, and his tone lacked the humorous fondness that he often gave to his editor. "He wants me

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    If Michael knew that she blamed herself just as much as he did, would it change how he felt about her? Estel wished with all her heart that she had waited until she was fit to make a decision of that magnitude. Estel realized she was not thinking well at that time. There were moments when she woke up in the middle of the night, pondering the possibility that the child may have been healthy, or at the very least, not terribly disabled, to the point that it would have been able to live a normal life. Or had she ruined any possibility of his understanding by letting him know that she didn't want his baby in the first place? For whatever reason, Estel had not been able to bring herself to the point where she could be completely honest with Michael. This was something that he had been looking forward to hearing from her. She had an irrational fear that he would throw her love back in her face or, what was worse, feel pity for her and decide to keep the marriage going for that reason inst

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    When Piers Shaw pointed her toward Lars Pederson's library, she was so focused on following him that she hardly heard him whisper, "Certainly." She had a strong desire to be left alone, but she was astute enough to recognize that Piers wouldn't abandon her if he believed she required assistance. She also realized that, at this time, having Piers assist her would be far preferable to asking Michael to accompany her. It was perfectly conceivable that Piers would go and tell her husband about her sudden unsteadiness if she refused to take his arm, and she couldn't risk that happening for the time being since she couldn't afford to. Just as they were about to enter the library, she heard Dr. Jill's soothing voice calling her name. "Estel! How good it is to see you again!" She had the need to flee, but after a little pause during which she was undecided about what to do, she gently turned around to find the elderly guy walking toward her with a warm greeting gleaming over his kind face.

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    Dr. Jill's tone was tense and insistent as he said, "For the love of God, why not?!?" "Without honesty, a marriage is not good for much, Estel. Your husband has the right to know that you're not the type of woman to be so callous, and you have the right to his unstinting regard. Why are you refraining from honest communication?" As Estel closed her eyes, she pondered how to explain the situation, even though she wasn't entirely sure of the cause. "For one thing," she said as she opened her eyes and walked aside to peer into the dimly lit garden, "the child was his." She took a momentary pause and looked back at Dr. Jill, during which she noticed a dawning of comprehension in his eyes. She stated this with a delay in her voice that made it clear, at least to Dr. Jill, how profoundly the pain of that hatred had affected her. "He hated me when he found out I'd aborted his child," she added. "For all that I know, he probably still does," she said with a softer tone. Dr. Jill was about t

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    Estel, who was eight months pregnant, sat at her desk, engrossed in editing manuscripts. Michael enters the room, a mix of excitement and hesitation evident on his face. “Hey, love.” Michael was grinning widely “Hi there. What brings you by?” Estel Looks up, smiling at the sight of Michael. “I have something to tell you.” Michael takes a seat opposite Estel, fidgeting nervously. “Is everything alright?” Estel looks concerned. “Oh, everything's fine, more than fine actually. Next month, I'll be heading to Canada to promote my books.” Michael clasped his hands. Estel's expression changes, a flicker of concern crossing her face. “Canada? But Doctor Jill advised against traveling, especially now.” Estel’s brows furrowed. “I know, I know, but this is a big opportunity. Nancy Wilson, the literary agent, is organizing everything, and she wants me there for a series of events.” Michael explained. “And who else is going

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    Afterward, Michael felt more at ease and continued with his explanation. "When I saw you in Hendrick's office that day, I knew I couldn't leave things as they were. I'd been thinking about you for months, wanting you, and hating myself for what I'd done to you and for what I'd ruined. I had already chosen to write The Essence of a Woman. When you stepped in, I realized I had the ideal opportunity for a second chance. It was your sort of book; it had the potential to gain your respect, and while you were working on it, I believed I could win you over. Estel's mouth scrunched up in response to his statements about earning her respect. Still, Michael did not allow her an opportunity to respond to his statement. "Only I kept repeating myself with you," he said with regret, "making the same mistakes repeatedly." "I couldn't keep my hands off you, and I couldn't keep from trying to break through that shell of yours and get at the woman I sensed was there. As a result, I ended up making you

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    Michael faced her, staring down with a sardonic and caustic attitude that made it clear that he was now a man... Estel sees him as a man in every sense of the word. After that, a serious look came over his face, and he again turned his head aside. He stated it with a strain in his voice, "I'm canceling our agreement, Estel," and the tone of his voice was harsh. Estel found herself suddenly gasping for air, and she began to shake where she was standing until she noticed a log that had just fallen nearby. She quickly moved to sit down on the log to prevent herself from falling. She questioned him, "What exactly do you mean, Michael?" with a lack of expression that belied the riot of sensations that was going on inside of her. "What exactly do you mean?" He stepped closer to her but refused to look into her eyes, even as he did so. "You're free to go," he said gloomily. "You don't have to give me a child... and you don't have to stay married to me." Estel momentarily suppressed her exp

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    After a little pause in which they were both silent and Estel made no effort to break it, Mrs. Jensen proceeded, her tone more forceful and her stance more upright. "Fortunately, in those days, it wasn't easy to find someone willing to break the law that way, and I ended up going to a midwife who was less than effective." She cracked a wry grin without amusement. "When I stepped into that room and saw the primitive, unsanitary conditions..." She simply chuckled. "Well, I turned right around and walked out again. And I've never regretted doing so." After that, she shifted her attention to Estel while sitting in her chair with a thoughtful expression. "I tried to be a good mother to Michael, and I did love him, but he was always such an exuberant, affectionate boy, and I've never let my feelings show. Perhaps he interpreted my reserve as indicating that I didn't love him. But it wasn't and isn't true. The trouble is, I don't know how to let him know that since I find it as difficult now

  • Revenge is Sweet   Chapter 48

    By the time they boarded the plane to go to Aspen to visit Michael's parents, Estel was at her wit's end. She prayed to God for a miracle so that Michael would recognize her deep love for him. It would be a miracle in their marriage if only he could bring himself to love her as much as she loved him. Estel hoped that Michael's parents would convince him to love her. When Estel first saw the tall, stately, and beautiful woman who was Michael's mother and his father's equally tall but less awesome figure, she felt a surge of animosity toward the couple. She wondered if they were the key to Michael's inability to respond to the love she was offering him. Estel's first impression of Michael's mother and father caused her to feel this way. Estel had thought that Michael had made it past his childhood difficulties. Still, the people in his life may have permanently damaged him and given him an icy hole in his heart—a spot that he desired love to so severely fill. However, as Mrs. Jensen c

  • Revenge is Sweet   Chapter 47

    Dr. Jill's tone was tense and insistent as he said, "For the love of God, why not?!?" "Without honesty, a marriage is not good for much, Estel. Your husband has the right to know that you're not the type of woman to be so callous, and you have the right to his unstinting regard. Why are you refraining from honest communication?" As Estel closed her eyes, she pondered how to explain the situation, even though she wasn't entirely sure of the cause. "For one thing," she said as she opened her eyes and walked aside to peer into the dimly lit garden, "the child was his." She took a momentary pause and looked back at Dr. Jill, during which she noticed a dawning of comprehension in his eyes. She stated this with a delay in her voice that made it clear, at least to Dr. Jill, how profoundly the pain of that hatred had affected her. "He hated me when he found out I'd aborted his child," she added. "For all that I know, he probably still does," she said with a softer tone. Dr. Jill was about t

  • Revenge is Sweet   Chapter 46

    When Piers Shaw pointed her toward Lars Pederson's library, she was so focused on following him that she hardly heard him whisper, "Certainly." She had a strong desire to be left alone, but she was astute enough to recognize that Piers wouldn't abandon her if he believed she required assistance. She also realized that, at this time, having Piers assist her would be far preferable to asking Michael to accompany her. It was perfectly conceivable that Piers would go and tell her husband about her sudden unsteadiness if she refused to take his arm, and she couldn't risk that happening for the time being since she couldn't afford to. Just as they were about to enter the library, she heard Dr. Jill's soothing voice calling her name. "Estel! How good it is to see you again!" She had the need to flee, but after a little pause during which she was undecided about what to do, she gently turned around to find the elderly guy walking toward her with a warm greeting gleaming over his kind face.

  • Revenge is Sweet   Chapter 45

    Estel was overjoyed to see that her efforts had unquestionably been effective as Michael gave her first a fleeting look, then returned his sight to her a second time, his eyes widening with admiration as he took in the image she produced. Michael had arrived late and had to rush to get dressed. When he walked in, she was striking a nonchalant stance in front of the windows, even though her heart raced with panic. Her manner, however, was calm and collected. The shell-white, body-hugging dress was silky and flowed over one shoulder, revealing the milky tan. The garment clung closely to her shape and emphasized her curves. The only other jewelry she wore was a pair of gold earrings that dangled from her ears and a gold slave bracelet that she wore on the naked right side of her wrist. Her tresses were pulled away from her face and rolled into a complete roll at the back of her head. The light hanging above brought out the shimmering highlights in her hair. She was aware that she was be

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