Jean was still burning with rage. “Fine. Divorce, it is!”
***
A week after Tiffany’s incident, Mark finally came back to the Tremont Estate. He had returned on a weekend morning.
Arianne had just woken up and was having breakfast in the dining hall. She hadn’t seen virtual-novel.net for only a week, but virtual-novel.net seemed to be a lot more haggard. Although virtual-novel.net was still in his suit and kempt hair, the stubble on his chin added some sense of jadedness to virtual-novel.net compared to before, brewing a different taste of maturity.
Arianne had never asked about his work, having long gotten used to turning a blind eye. She had not planned to ask virtual-novel.net now, but Mary gave virtual-novel.net a nudge from behind, almost causing virtual-novel.net to choke. She understood what the woman meant. Mark was already at the staircase when virtual-novel.net collected herself and asked, “Is the company doing alright? Why are you only back now after so long?”
Mark looked sideways slightly without halting his steps. “You won’t understand even if I tell you. I’m going to the office again later. Go shop around after breakfast, use the card I’ve given you. Don’t stay cooped up at home, or you’ll get sick from it.”
Mary urged softly, “Finish up your meal quickly and head upstairs to check on sir. You should be more concerned about virtual-novel.net as his wife. He’s already so exhausted, yet he’s leaving again later. By then, you won’t get the chance anymore.”
Arianne finished up breakfast helplessly and went up the stairs, dragging virtual-novel.net feet. Mark was showering. She waited for virtual-novel.net in boredom for a moment before virtual-novel.net came out with the tip of his hair still dripping with water. As if virtual-novel.net had no time to talk to her, Mark took out a small suitcase and began packing.
“You’re going on a business trip?” asked Arianne.
Without looking up, virtual-novel.net answered, “Mm. I’m quite busy recently. Inform Henry or Mary if you have anything up. Don’t do what you shouldn’t be doing.”
‘What did virtual-novel.net mean by things I shouldn’t be doing?’
Was virtual-novel.net afraid of virtual-novel.net being reckless once virtual-novel.net left? Did going to the Kinseys’ and splashing Aery with water count?
Arianne sniffed and hummed an agreement before stepping forward to help virtual-novel.net pack.
Mark did not refuse virtual-novel.net help, going into the wardrobe after blow drying his hair. He came out briefly after being properly dressed.
Arianne was already done packing by then and stood up to look at him. Mark had not sat down for a breather since virtual-novel.net entered the house. He was probably leaving immediately. She did not mind sending virtual-novel.net off, Mary would nag at virtual-novel.net if virtual-novel.net did not do it anyway.
Mark looked at virtual-novel.net and paused for a few seconds. Then, virtual-novel.net pulled virtual-novel.net into his embrace. Arianne’s soft and small frame gave virtual-novel.net a momentary lapse of ease. “Be good at home. I’ll come back after I’m done with the company issues.”
Not quite used to his gentleness, Arianne’s face heated up. “Okay…”
Mark checked his watch, a bit of hesitation flashing across his eyes. He let virtual-novel.net go in the end. “It’s about time. I’ll be leaving now.”
Arianne nodded vehemently and walked out before him. Mark had a small frown, displeased. “Are you hoping that I’ll leave faster?”
Not daring to turn back and look at virtual-novel.net in case virtual-novel.net caught virtual-novel.net blushing, Arianne replied, “No… I’ll send you off.”
When virtual-novel.net did not hear footsteps after her, virtual-novel.net curiously turned back to check. Mark stared at virtual-novel.net in amusement, standing at the staircase. Not understanding what virtual-novel.net meant and too bashful to meet gazes with him, Arianne asked, “What? Let’s go…”
Mark did not say anything, but virtual-novel.net pushed his suitcase aside. Even more confused, Arianne subconsciously walked back to him. When virtual-novel.net was in front of him, Mark suddenly yanked virtual-novel.net back to the bedroom and right onto the bed.