Chapter 24%
Weston smiled gently. “I’m all ears.“W
That day, as Rosalie faced the setting sun, whether it was a sudden impulse or something deeper, she shared with Weston a flood of memories. She spoke of the first time she met Easton, the silly antics they got into during school, their most tender and romantic moments, and finally, the heartbreaking accident that tore everything apart.
Rosalie’s voice softened as she said, “Weston, do you believe souls linger after death? Not long ago, I felt like Easton came to me in the middle of the night… He said goodbye.”
Her eyes shone with a longing so profound it seemed to reach into the fading light.
Weston wanted to tell her, “If Easton came to say goodbye, then maybe it’s time for you to begin again. You don’t have to be trapped in the past.”
But the words caught in his throat and were swallowed back. He had just managed to build a fragile friendship with Rosalie. He feared that if he showed how much he still cared, even that delicate bond would shatter.}
So instead, he smiled quietly and said, “I’m an atheist, but… I hope souls really do exist after death.“}
That way, you could finally listen to that restless soul and truly say goodbye to Easton.”
But Weston never spoke that aloud.
Noticing Rosalie’s sweating brow, he gently brushed the beads of sweat from her forehead with a soft handkerchief.}
Rosalie did not reject that delicate, intimate touch, never crossing the line.
As they talked and laughed quietly, unaware, a pair of burning eyes watched from the shadows.
The owner of those fierce eyes was none other than Chase.
After Weston stepped away to take a call, Chase’s restraint shattered. He stormed toward Rosalie, who sat painting alone.
A thousand accusations flooded his mind, but when he finally stood before her, his voice trembled as he said, “Rosalie, are you alright? I’ve missed you so much.”
Rosalie turned sharply, stunned to see Chase’s bloodshot eyes blazing at her.
For a chilling moment, that nightmare replayed in her mind, Chase cutting into her belly, stealing her child away.
Instinctively, she stepped back.
She and the Hollis family shared mutual acquaintances. She had heard whispers about Isla dismantling the Hollis Corporation and knew Chase’s current state was far from stable. A genuine fear gripped her; what if he did something to her?}
Chase saw the fear flickering in Rosalie’s eyes, and his heart twisted with unbearable pain.
Why was she afraid of him? They were husband and wife, meant to lean on and trust each other.
But then memories of all he’d done during their three years together came crashing down on him, the wounds he’d inflicted.
Suddenly, everything made sense. Yet that only deepened his sorrow.“]
He loved Rosalie. He was supposed to be her protector… so what kind of monster had he been?!
There was no room for regret now.”
With grief burning in his gaze, Chase said, “Rosalie, come back with me. I’ll take care of you and the baby. I think about you both every moment. Just say yes, and I’ll do anything to make things right.”
“I don’t want your apologies,” Rosalie said coldly, her eyes empty and hard. “I just want you out of my life, forever.“}]
Her words struck Chase’s heart like a sharp blade.
“Why?” Chase asked, voice trembling. “Is it because you’ve fallen for someone else? You’ve fallen in love with that man who was just with you a moment ago?”
