Chapter 201 3/3 The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife Chapter 201: Just a Little Lesson Angels NOV I opened my eves to the first light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Another day in this gilded prison.
Tad spent the night in in the children's room, sleeping in a small armchair positioned between their beds, unwilling t alone.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Ms. Wilson? Breakfast is ready," called a staff member.
to leave them 1 roused the children quickly. "We need to eat to keep up our strength," I whispered to Ethan as he rubbed sleep from his eyes. Aria didn't question why we needed strength another sign of how our situation was affecting her.
Christopher was already waiting when we entered the dining room, his smile too bright, too forced. The table was laden with food an excessive display meant to impress.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Good morning, he grebted, standing as we entered.
The children's response was silence. Ethan stared at the floor while Aria pressed herself against my leg, I gave a curl nod and guided them to seats at the opposite end of the table from Christophor.
We ate mechanically, the clinking of silverware the only sound in the room.
When Christopher attempted conversation, I replied with single words or not at all. When he complimented Aria's hair, she turned her face away.
When he asked Ethan about his favorite breakfast foods, my son merely pushed his eggs around his plate. Christopher's facade cracked slightly with each rejection. His knuckles whitened around his coffee cup. The muscles in his jaw tightened when Aria deliberately moved her chair farther away from him.
"The weather is perfect today," he tried again. Perhaps- "We're finished," I interrupted, standing abruptly. The children immediately followed suit, relief evident on their faces.
"Angela," he called as we reached the door, desperation bleeding through his controlled tone. "I'd like to I turned, my hand protectively on Ethan's shoulder. "I want to see David." Christopher's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you need to see him?" "Is there a problem?" I countered, meeting his gaze directly. "Are you afraid to letspeak with him?" speak with you." Christopher's expression darkened momentarily before smoothing over. "He'll meet you here after the staff clears breakfast." JM The library was an impressive space, with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with leather-bound books in multiple languages.
Under normal circumstances, I might have enjoyed exploring the collection.
1/3 Chapter 201: Just a Little Lesson But as David entered the roots, my attention was immediately draw to how carefully he moved, his posture unnaturally stiff.
"David," I greeted him, studying his face. "Are you alright? You seen uncomfortable." Tm perfectly fine, Ms. Wilson," he replied smoothly, his expression betraying nothing. "Mr. Blake mentioned you wished to speak with me?" I moved closer, my eyes scanning for visible injuries. "Did Christople hurt you? For tellingabout his mother?" "Of course not," David responded quickly too quickly. "Mr. Blake would never Without warning, I pressed my hand firmly against his chest. David speil in pain, instinctively backing away from my touch.
"Don't lie to me," 1 said quietly. "He hurt you, didn't he?" David's composure slipped momentarily, revealing a glimpse of gendhe fear. "Ms. Wilson, I appreciate your concern, but discussing such matters would be... unwise." "Did he break your ribs? Should you see a doctor?" Please, David whispered, glancing nervously toward the door. "IT M Blake discovers this conversation..." I felt sick. This was my fault. I had pushed David for information, and Christopher had punished him for it.
"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I never meant to put you in danger." David straightened his posture, wincing slightly. "You have nothing to apologize for. Now, was there something specific you wished to discuss? Before I could respond, the library door opened and Christopher entered, his eyes immediately assessing the space between David I see you two have had a chance to talk," he said pleasantly, though his gaze was sharp. "David, you may leave us now." David bowed slightly and exited without another word, his movements still carefully measured.
When the door closed behind him, I turned to Christopher, unable to hide my disgust. "After all these years, I feel like I'm only just meeting you today." He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "Why did you hurt David? He's done nothing but serve you loyally" Christopher's expression didn't change, but something cold flickered in his eyes. "Hurt him? That's quite an accusation." "I can see how he's moving. He's in pain." A small, dismissive smile curved Christopher's lips. It wasn't a beating, Angela.
Just a little lesson for someone who needed to learn about discretion." I stared at him, horrified by the casual cruelty in his voice. He spoke about causing pain as if discussing the weather.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Is that what you II do toif I disobey?" I asked, taking an involuntary step backward. "Or to my children?" Anger flashed across Christopher's face, replaced almost instantly by hurt. He moved forward, gripping my shoulders with 2/3 Chapter 201: Just a Little Lesson unexpected force.
"Never," he said fiercely. "I would never harm you or those children. Everything I've done-taking you from New York, bringing you here has been to protect you. Can't you see that?- I pulled away from his grasp, "We don't need your protection,"
For moment, raw emotion revealed itself in his expression-lossom confusion, anger before his control reasserted itself. The perfect mask slid back into place.
"You're upset," he said calmly. "That's understandable. Perhaps you should rest, and we can speak again later when you're feeling midte... reasonable."
Without waiting for my response, he turned and left the library, closing the door with deliberate gentleness behind him. Hours later, I sat alone in my suite, watching the moonlight reflected on the distant sea, The children were finally asleep after a day of anxiety and questions couldn't answer honestly.
How could I explain that the kind "Blake uncle" they'd known for years was now their captor? A soft scratching sound at the door caught my attention. I remained still, straining to listen. It cagain-not a knock, but something else. Moving silently across the room, I approached the door cautiously.
A small piece of paper appeared, sliding under the gap beneath h the door. Then footsteps, quickly receding.
I waited until the hallway fell silent before retrieving the paper.
Opening the door a crack, I caught a glimpse of David's retreating figure disappearing around a corner.
Back inside with the door securely locked, I unfolded the note quickly.
After scanning its contents, I immediately tore it into tiny pieces and flushed them down the toilet, watching until every fragment disappeared Chapter Comments LIKE