Chapter 6

The thought chilled her. She couldn't stop shuddering; she switched off the laptop and stumbled back.

She bumped into a warm, steamy presence. Richard stood there, wrapped in a towel, hair half-dry, his torso bare, his muscles beautifully contoured.

He didn't notice the strange looks Maria had. He smiled, voice low as if he was holding back his desire. "Feeling any better?"

Maria bit her lip, numb with shock.

Richard took her silence for consent. He swept her up, carried her to the bed, and leaned over her.

Maria sank into the soft bed. Before she could push Richard away, he had her in his arms.

His embrace exuded a woody cologne scent. It was her favorite. He had been wearing that scent for seven years after she made an offhand comment about it.

Two days ago, she wouldn't have believed her marriage was a sham, or that he didn't love her.

But now…

"Relax," Richard murmured, holding her hands tight. Their palms met as he planted a trail of kisses along her neck.

Only when his warm hands heated her back did Maria shiver, snap back to herself, and shove him away hard. She sat up, enduring the ache in her chest.

"I don't feel well. I don't want to do this."

She got up and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

Richard frowned and stared at the closed door, lost in thought.

-

Maria went into the next room. Jonathan called after her from the living room, but she ignored him. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone and scrolled to her latest social post. The marriage certificate stung her eyes.

She had just posted it a few days ago—a photo of her and Richard marking their seventh anniversary. She remembered the date clearly: September ninth. It was a meaningful date. They had rushed to the registry office, snapped the pictures, and then gone straight to the ceremony.

Trent had personally delivered the certificate and offered his blessings. He had even left a congratulatory comment under the post. He had also given it a like and commented right under her status, wishing them to grow old together.

Eleanor must be back by now, right?

Trent would see the photo and probably laugh at how blind Maria had been, how she had been fooled for seven years without noticing.

Maria's eyes were red as she tried hard to force those tears back. She blamed herself for being blind and lied to for seven years. From now on, she would disappear quietly and spend the time she had left with her brother, Willow. She would let Richard have what he wanted.

Dragging her feet, Maria began to lie down, but a call from her doctor interrupted her.

"Mrs. Shaw, I've reviewed your test results," the doctor said. "The tumor was discovered too late, and you've had no prior treatment. You are not fit to travel, either by air or sea."

Maria's heart tightened. "Not even by sea?"

"No. First, you haven't started any conservative treatment, so your body can't withstand travel. Second, your route would involve higher altitudes that could trigger your brain cancer's symptoms."

The doctor's tone was grave and certain.

Maria held her phone tight. "If I can't fly or take a ship, how am I supposed to leave?"

"Do you have to leave immediately?" the doctor asked.

Maria pressed her lips together. Richard's true love had returned. Why stay to be pushed out, to be abandoned by husband and son?

"I have to leave. Please help me, no matter how hard it is. Money isn't a problem," she answered softly but firmly.

The doctor sighed. "I'll put together a ten-day treatment plan. If you respond well, you might be able to travel afterwards. Maybe even fly."

Ten days…

Maria's face fell. She did not want to stay that long, not with everything so uncertain. But she had no choice but to cooperate with the doctor.

-

The next morning, when Maria came out, the living room smelled of breakfast.

Richard was swatting at Jonathan's hand. "Your mom's not awake yet. Wait until she comes out."

Jonathan pouted and rubbed his hand.

Maria gripped the doorknob, surprised they had not left. "Can't you two just go home?"

Richard was taken aback, then came over and lowered his voice. "I know Jonny was out of line yesterday, and you should teach him a lesson. But you look exhausted and unwell. I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone."

Maria paused. She hadn't expected him to insist on staying.

She turned away, her eyes lowered. "If you don't agree, I won't go back."

Richard's expression cooled; he didn't understand why Maria was suddenly so stubborn this time, refusing even to look at their son.

Maria grabbed her coat, saying she was going for a run.

"When I get back, clear away leftovers and take out the trash," she added.

Jonathan watched her go, noticing she had not once looked his way. His heart tightened.

"Mom!" he called.

But she ignored him and slammed the door.

Father and son exchanged glances. Richard's face turned cold. "Eat your eggs and milk, then go to school. If you can't get your mom back tonight, don't bother coming home."

Jonathan didn't dare to say a word and quietly nodded.

The maids packed Jonathan's bag and took him to school while Richard left for work.

Maria wandered for two hours. When she returned, the hotel suite was indeed empty. She changed rooms at the front desk immediately, then went to the hospital to talk to the doctor about her treatment plan.

Around five or six in the evening, Mr. Graham called in a panic. "Madam, where are you? Come back right away. Master Jonathan is sick, and I can't reach Master Richard!"

Maria's eyes flickered, but she answered coolly, "Call the family doctor. I can't treat him."

"But Master Jonathan fainted. He's breaking out in cold sweat and keeps calling for you."

Maria stopped in her tracks. She exhaled slowly. "Are you sure he's calling for me? Not someone else?"

Mr. Graham hesitated, suddenly unsettled. He glanced at Jonathan, who was nearby, faking his symptoms and watching him perform. He wasn't sure how to answer that.

"Ma-Madam… You're his mother. Who else would he call?"

But Maria had already hung up.

Jonathan's eyes opened wide. "Mom isn't coming home?"

Mr. Graham could only nod.

Jonathan's face flushed red. "She's changed! She doesn't care about me at all. I only said a few mean things to her at school! She's so petty!"

"Please, Master Jonathan," the butler whispered, "if Master Richard finds out, he'll be angry again."

Still fuming, Jonathan plopped onto a stool. He huffed and pulled out his phone. "If Mom won't come, I'll call Eleanor to help with my homework. I don't need her!"

By then, Maria had arrived downstairs at Shaw Group. She found Richard and handed him her resignation letter. Richard's finger hovered over the signature on the lower right.

He looked up, baffled. "You're basically a figurehead here. Why resign all of a sudden?"

Maria's nails dug into her palm as she searched for an excuse.

Richard suddenly sprang to his feet and stepped toward her. Startled, she backed away. At the same time, the sounds of high heels clicking on the floor in the hallway echoed.

"Richard, Jonny just called. He's all alone, so I'm going back early…"

The door swung open, and Eleanor froze at the sight of Maria.

Maria's face drained of color. In Richard's usually unreadable eyes, she caught a flicker of guilt and panic.