Chapter 9
Harlan had just opened his mouth to respond when Callum interrupted him.
“Never mind,” he said after a pause, a rare trace of hesitation in his voice. “Let her rest. Too much has happened these past few days.”
He sighed and ended the call.
The next morning, Estelle awoke in Callum’s arms, her face glowing with contentment as if she’d just had the most beautiful dream.
Bathed in the morning light and his seemingly gentle gaze, she whispered, “Callum, I love you. I’ve made up my mind. I’m ready. I agree to truly be with you.”
Callum remained silent.
Mistaking his silence for tacit agreement, Estelle’s smile deepened. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in for a kiss-
Only for him to suddenly grow cold, eyes sharp with a ruthless edge.
“Who told you,” he said, voice dangerously low, “that I wanted to be with you?”
Estelle froze, her expression collapsing in real time. Her voice trembled. “But… Callum, we’re already married. You said you didn’t despise me anymore. Doesn’t that mean—?”
A bitter chuckle escaped his lips as he pushed her off his chest.
“Estelle, just because I said I don’t despise you doesn’t mean you can replace Evelyn. You think you can step into her place as Mrs. Rivers? That’s delusional.”
He stood and looked down at her.
“I was relieved when you came back alive. I tried to make it up to you because of everything you went through. But you’re not Evelyn. You never will be. She’s the only Mrs. Rivers in my heart.”
Estelle sat there, stunned. Her breath caught in her throat.
Then, as if desperate to win him back, she bit her lip, pulled down the strap of her silk nightgown, and exposed the soft curves of her chest.
“You loved me once, Callum. Look at me, have you forgotten our past?”
She climbed onto his lap, unbuttoning his shirt, trying to close the distance between them. Then her eyes lit up as she pointed to a fresh tattoo on his collarbone.
“See? I knew it. You still love me. You got my initial inked right here–‘E,‘ for Estelle.”
Callum’s fingers hovered over the crimson ink.
