GoodReadEverett shot an instinctive look to Dorothy upon hearing the proposition.
Dorothy’s petite face had gone a shade paler, a forced calm painted over her features while her lashes fluttered like the wings of a trapped butterfly. It took her several seconds to nod in agreement, "Okay, I'll go." "If you don't want to go alone, | can come with you," Kenneth offered gently.
"No need. Bye, Kenneth." Dorothy's steps became noticeably flustered. It was Everett's arm, wrapped supportively around her waist, that guided her into the car and away from the scene.
Kenneth watched the car grow smaller in the distance until it disappeared from view, a storm of guilt brewing inside him like a tempest.
He knew he shouldn't have brought up her mother at such a moment—that was her sore spot.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut the indignation within him was just too strong to suppress.
Why should Everett play the magnanimous benefactor and do charity to him? He called it compensation as if it wasn't a blatant insult! Kenneth had tried to rise above the pettiness because he was deemed to be defeated. But he hadn't counted on Everett tailing Dorothy even for a simple errand! Everett was always so cautious and always so attuned to Dorothy's feelings...
Kenneth couldn't believe Everett hadn't considered how his own presence would rankle him.
Since Everett had chosen this path, Kenneth wouldn't just sit back and take it. After all, for all of Everett's virtues, he was burdened with a mother who was nothing but trouble. He couldn't blame this on anyone.
And yet Kenneth's heart ached for Dorothy.
Torn between the harsh truth of her mother's death and her love for Everett, she must have wrestled with the choice more than anyone knew. She, who typically shied away from confrontation and bottled up her emotions, was now ready to leave her two children for a month to be by Everett's side—a testament to her deep love for him.
From Everett's bewildered gaze earlier, it was clear Dorothy hadn't shared even a whisper of her turmoil with him. She likely wanted to give their relationship one last month to indulge in their passion and set aside their grievances.
It was a rare decision for Dorothy, and Kenneth regretted bringing up her mother and reopening old wounds.
Inside the car, the silence was as thick as it had been on the way over, but now it was heavy with an unspoken tension.
Everett turned to look at Dorothy for the fifth time, and Dorothy finally caught his gaze.
"What's wrong?" he murmured softly.
She shook her head, "Nothing, just a bit tired, | guess." It was a lie, a placation.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Are you upset | gave Kenneth those things?" "No," Dorothy forced a thin smile, "He's looked after your son for so long. You really should repay him, although it might have been a bit much.” Some gifts were a gesture of gratitude, but they could feel like an insult if they were too lavish.
"He's made sacrifices in his career for Langston. Joining Lopez Corporation is out of the question, and he wouldn't want to. So | gave him a company of his own." As for the mansion and the sports car—weren't those just the normal tokens of appreciation? That way, if Kenneth ever wanted to settle down, there would be no shortage of women keen to marry him. If he could get himself a wife no matter how old he got, then he wouldn't be fighting over someone else's wife.
"Don't force him to accept. Kenneth has his own way of thinking," Dorothy said, fearing the tension between them might escalate.
"Alright." Everett agreed without hesitation.
The car pulled up to Bay Residence.
Stepping out, Dorothy looked up at the building. Her heart was a tumult of emotions she couldn't quite name.
Everett wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. His lips were curving into a soft smile, "We're home again."
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
