Chapter 18
e about the same age, and here I am, already pregnant
When the subject of motherhood came up, Trana’s smile lit up her whole face. Thanks We’re ab What about you? Got anyone special in your life!”
Fred’s gare lingered on her, his eyes carrying something she couldn’t quite read. “Yeah, but that’s not something I’m ready to talk about.”
Trina raised an eyebrow and joked, “Oh, keeping secrets, huh?”
Noticing their banter, Truman chimed in with a knowing smirk. “Since we’re bumped into each other, why don’t we head over to my place It’s been a while since we hung out”
Fred, always easygoing, nodded in agreement.
When they arrived at the Gross family estate, Esmond and Helen were thrilled to see their old friends kids back together. They quickly told the chef to whip up some extra dishes.
It wasn’t until the three of them were alone in the drawing room that they finally got to catch up.
“Fred, you’ve been gone for three years. If I remember right, you left right after Trina’s wedding to go to Evergem, didn’t you?” Truman asked, not bothering to hide the edge in his voice,
Fred took a sip of his coffee, meeting Truman’s gaze without missing a beat. “Yeah, business took me there!
Truman
gave a knowing smirk but didn’t push further.
Trina, munching on a piece of fruit, chimed in with a grin. “I still remember when Fred used to bawl his eyes out if we teased him even a little. Now look at him running his own business like it’s nothing. Pretty impressive.”
Truman leaned back, swirling his wine glass before adding with a smirk, “Some things never change. Maybe you’ll see that soon enough”
Trina just smiled, keeping quiet.
The Gross and Salazar families had been tight for generations, so naturally, Fred and Trina grew up side by side. They went to the same schools all the way until high school when their paths diverged, but they kept in touch over the years.
Right before Trina’s wedding, though, Fred had suddenly gotten busy and disappeared overseas shortly after she got married.
Truman, not one to drop a topic, chuckled and said. “Funny how you took off right after Trina got hitched, and now that she’s divorced, here you are again. You think the universe is messing with you?”
However, Fred seemed not to hear the latter part of Truman’s statement and exclaimed in shock, “Divorced?”
Trina found it amusing and joked. “That surprised you? If it doesn’t work out, you get a divorce.
Fred’s gaze shifted to her belly. “And the baby..
Trina carried her belly, “No one outside the family knows about him. He’s mine, no one else’s.”
Fred’s stare grew intense as if he had many words to say, yet he forced them back down.
Truman streiched exaggeratedly and announced loudly, breaking the mood, “Ah, it’s getting late. I should head upstairs to bed. You two take your ume chatting; there’s no rush.”
Trina rolled her eyes, wondering if her brother was acting strange today. When has he ever gone to bed this early? Saying it’s late while also saying there’s no rush—is he mad?
Fred glanced at Truman, and they understood each other without words.
The evening st
stars filtered through the floor–to–ceiling windows, filling the room with a nostalgic glow, reminiscent of their childhood.
“I remember how much you loved watching the stars, Fred said.
Tryna smiled, “Yes, as a child, my greatest joy was waiting until everyone was asleep and then lying by the window, gazing up at the sky. The older you get, the more you want, and the less you appreciate the beauty of the past.”
Fred looked at her intently. “But some things remain unchanged, enduring even as time passes.”
“Oh, when did you become so romantic? That doesn’t sound like you,” said Trina
Leaning back in his chair, Fred asked, “Oh! And what should I be like?”
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Chapter 18
“You?” Trina suddenly realized she couldn’t picture Fred at work.
Although the Salazar Group might not match Cyril’s wealth, it was surely not far behind.
tings at 9 am, make
She recalled slowly. You probably wake up at 6am for a workout, leave the house precisely at 8 am after breakfast, start meetings at decisions, sign documents, travel for business, socialize…..
“You rarely come home, spending most of your time flying around. The rest of your time is devoted entirely to work. No time for family or friends. just like a money–making machine.”
Fred looked at her with a complicated expression and denied, I’m not. I know there are still many wonderful things in the world: delicious food, breathtaking scenery, and the person I long for
en the person you like must be very lucky. You should keep trying
Trina laughed and said, “Then
Fred replied intensely, “I will make her happy. He glanced at his watch. “It is indeed late. You should rest early while you’re pregnant. I head back
now.
Trina stood up and walked him to the door. “Alright, take care on your way home
As Fred reached the door, be paused, almost cousing Trina to bump into him. “Trina, there’s a concert tomorrow. How about we go together?”
Trina rubbed her forehead and joked, “Did you grow taller again! From 5.9 feet to 6 feet?”
Fred chuckled with thinking. “If only I could. So, are you coming or not?”
“Of course, 111 go if you’re treating me said Trina.
“Then it’s definitely my treat” Fred looked happy.
The concert ended amidst a burst of enthusiastic applause, with lights shining brightly.
Having grown up together, Fred and Trina had different temperaments and interests.
By the time they left the music hall, it was already dark.
Just as Fred was about to suggest going out for dinner, be noticed Trina’s gaze suddenly fixate on something. Following her line of sight, he saw a ull, handsome man standing by a fountain, talking to a petite woman beside him.
“Do you know him!” Fred asked.
Trina averted her eyes and replied indifferently, “Yes, he u my ex–husband.“
Fred took another look, unable to deny that Cyril indeed had the charm to attract Every woman and that his powerful presence made everyone around him seem insignificant. With a face as perfect as a masterpiece and every move exuding nobility, he was the epitome of an aristocrat.
Perhaps Fred’s scrutinizing gaze was too sharp, causing Cyril and Lisa by the fountain to notice and look over
Feeling their approach, Trina told Fred, “Let’s go!
Fred said, “Okay!”
“Trina!” Surprisingly, it was Lisa who called out first. She shouted loudly, “Why are you leaving? Feeling guilty about something?”
Trina didn’t want to stir up trouble and would have preferred to ignore it, but Lia’s provocation made it seem like Trina was backing down.
She shot back, “Oh I wonder what Ms. Reid is referring to. I believe I have nothing to be ashamed of. Why did you say that?”
Lika stormed up to her, angry “You have the nerve to say that alter the recent trending topic? What was that all about?
Trina mocked, “Lisa, are you really that stupid? I haven’t even held you accountable for the trending topic, yet here you are, turning the tables on
The moment Lisa charged forward, Fred instinctively stepped in front of Trina, protecting her. Hearing this, he asked in confusion, “What’s going
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