Chapter 18
“You’re too sweet! And that’s irritating! Never mind. What goes around comes around. Christina won’t end well, and neither will Kendrick.”
Silvana, on the other hand, comforted Dianna. “Alright. Let’s not talk about these things that make us unhappy.”
“Sure. I’ll let you get some rest.”
“Good night.”
When Silvana hung up, the smile on her face disappeared. She was tired. After washing up, she went to bed.
She had a strange dream. She dreamed about the birth of her child. He waved his little hands, calling her “mom“. The feeling was indescribable. She gingerly held the child while he giggled with pure joy.
But Kendrick suddenly appeared and grabbed the child. No matter how she sobbed and screamed, he just turned and walked away, never glancing back.
Silvana woke up in tears in the middle of the night. Her first instinct was to touch her belly, desperate to confirm it had all been a nightmare and that it wasn’t real. Cold sweat drenched her, and she glanced at her phone: it was past 3 a.m.
It was still too early to get up. She tossed and turned, her mind racing, “What would Kendrick think if he found out I’m pregnant someday…‘
He definitely wouldn’t want the unborn baby. And honestly, she didn’t want him to have any claim to it either. This would be her child alone. She’d never let Kendrick find out.
0.00%
16.00
Chapter 19
Never.
***
1200 Macberg
That night, Christina asked Kendrick out to dinner.
They’d been eating for a while when Christina noticed Kendrick set down his cutlery, his eyes fixed on his phone. His brows were furrowed, like something was bothering him. He hadn’t paid her the slightest attention or said a word since he sat down. She might as well have been invisible.
Christina sensed what was off and spoke slowly, “Kendrick… is the food not to your liking?”
Kendrick didn’t look up from his phone. “Yeah.”
“But you love beef. I ordered everything based on your usual taste… Why wouldn’t those dishes appeal to you today?” Kendrick had grown up abroad and was picky about food. Steak was the only thing he truly liked. Even the wine was his go–to. She’d put so much thought into this meal.
Kendrick didn’t even glance at the dishes on the table. He’d forced down a few bites but found them utterly unappetizing. Instead, his mind drifted to Silvana’s home–cooked meals. Silvana was usually swamped with work and rarely cooked, but whenever the two of them were at home, she’d always make him a dish. Now, suddenly, everything here felt wrong.
Kendrick had to admit that Silvana was extraordinary, sensible, gentle, and so understanding. In all the years they were married, they never once quarreled.
Noticing Kendrick’s distraction, Christina ventured carefully, “Ken, is something bothering you?”
“Nothing,” he replied.
“Should we order something else? I’m sorry. I had no idea you wouldn’t
24.44%
16.02
Chapter 18
like these…” Christina’s appetite faded. “Next time, why don’t we eat at home? I’ll do it, okay?”
“I hope you won’t burn the kitchen down,” Kendrick said, half–teasing.
208 Vachers
“Are you looking down on me? How could I burn the kitchen!” Christina pouted, feigning annoyance. “Stop treating me like a kid. I’m not young anymore.”
For the first time that night, Kendrick smiled, “You’re always a kid to me.”
“No way! You’re only a few years older than me. Anyway, I won’t listen. Stop acting like I’m still little!” Christina clung to him playfully, though she minded him saying that. She hated being dismissed as childish. “I’m a mature woman now, Ken.”
She bit her lower lip, eyes darting. Finally, she met his gaze. “Ken, your mom called a few days ago. She asked about … about our marriage…”
As she spoke, Christina ducked her head, a faint flush coloring her cheeks. It embarrassed her to be the one bringing this up first.
Their relationship had been arranged by their families. At first, she’d thought it would only be a dream too good to come true. It wasn’t until Kendrick actually divorced Silvana and chose to be with her that she finally relaxed and started daydreaming about their life after marriage.
After a long silence, Kendrick spoke in an icy, cold tone, “For Bradley’s sake, I’ll take care of you, no matter what.”
Christina’s heart leaped with joy. She was eager to hear him say more.
“But I can’t marry you.”
Kendrick’s next words sent Christina plummeting as if she were off a cliff. She stared at him in disbelief. “Wh–why? Ken, didn’t you promise my
51,59%
16 020
Chapter 18
brother…”
“I promised him I’d take care of you. Nothing more.”
“Then why did you get a divorce?”
Christina could barely believe it. She thought, “Kendrick’s family agreed, and he even divorced Silvana. Wasn’t the divorce for me? How could he say this now?”
“It’s getting late. I’ll have Irving take you home.” Kendrick avoided her question, standing up to leave.
Christina panicked, trying to stop him. “Ken…”
Irving arrived soon after to take Christina home. Christina didn’t want to go with him, but she dared not cross Kendrick. So she had no choice but to obey.
On the drive back, Christina couldn’t hold back her tears. She broke down in the backseat, starting with quiet sobs that soon turned into loud weeping. Irving tried to comfort her, but he’d never been good at consoling girls. His clumsy words only made her cry harder.
Irving grew flustered.
Through her tears, Christina cried out, “Does Ken love that woman deeply?”
“What?” Irving froze.
“I mean, Silvana!”
How dare Irving gossip about his boss? He stammered, unable to give a straight answer.
80.38%
