Chapter 57: The Silence After the Storm

Jeslyn finally sank onto the sofa, her body feeling weak, as if all her energy had evaporated with the emotional outburst she had just released. In the quiet living room, only the sound of rain and the soft ticking of the wall clock could be heard.

A moment later, a female servant approached her with measured steps, carrying a tray with a cup of warm tea.

"Sorry to disturb you, Miss," she said gently. "Mr. Leonel asked me to serve this."

Jeslyn gave a faint nod. She took the cup without saying a word.

"Do you need anything else?" the servant asked.

"No, thank you," Jeslyn replied quietly.

The servant bowed politely and left the room in silence.

Jeslyn stared at the tea without interest, then closed her eyes. She held her breath, as if trying to suppress the storm of emotions still raging inside her chest. But when she opened her eyes again, all she saw were the remnants of wounds that had never truly healed.

She looked up at the ceiling of this unfamiliar house. It was beautiful—a two-story modern minimalist home with warm wooden accents and soft yellow lights. The swimming pool in the backyard could be seen through the large window facing the garden. But despite all that, it still felt empty.

“Why do I have to be trapped in this situation?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her hands clenched the fabric on her lap, and for a few seconds, Jeslyn felt like walking away from everything.

As she was lost in her thoughts, Leonel returned, now dressed in more casual home clothes.

“It’s late. I’ll take you to your room so you can rest,” he said calmly, as if nothing had happened. He didn’t even acknowledge the last question Jeslyn had asked.

Jeslyn shot him a sharp look. She was still furious at how indifferent he seemed. “I want to go home,” she said flatly.

“It’s already late, and the trip back to the city takes time. Just rest here,” Leonel replied.

“I don’t care. If you won’t drive me, I’ll order an online taxi,” she said firmly.

“There are no online taxis here,” he responded, which only infuriated Jeslyn more.

“Seriously? What is this place, the middle of the woods or the edge of the world?” she snapped.

Leonel stood casually in the doorway, leaning slightly against the frame with his arms crossed. His black t-shirt and gray jogger pants gave him a relaxed look, but his eyes remained cold, firm, and in control.

Jeslyn let out a low, frustrated scoff, irritated by how normal Leonel was acting.

“Seriously? You brought me to a place so remote there’s no signal and no ride-hailing apps?” she asked sharply.

Leonel walked slowly toward her and took a seat on the opposite sofa.

“It’s not the middle of nowhere. This is my place. So stay and think things through,” he said in a flat tone.

Jeslyn glared at him, her jaw tightening. “You have no right to tell me what I need.”

Leonel didn’t respond right away. He just looked at her—longer this time, in silence. Then he let out a soft sigh.

“You can sleep in the guest room. Second floor, to the right. It’s ready,” he said finally, before getting up and walking away without another word.

Jeslyn pressed her lips tightly together, feeling both disgusted and lost at the same time. She didn’t understand why Leonel was so stubborn—or why some small part of her still questioned whether he truly loved her, or if she was just part of a fleeting amusement. There were no clear answers.

Her eyes drifted to the wall clock, now nearing midnight. She knew the only way to survive the night was to sleep, and leave early in the morning before her emotions exploded again.

With a heavy heart, Jeslyn rose and picked up her bag. She climbed the stairs to the second floor, walking through a hallway lined with abstract paintings and dim lighting.

The guest room Leonel mentioned opened easily. Jeslyn stepped in slowly, still unsure whether she really wanted to be there.

The room was warm and elegant, in shades of brown and ivory, with wooden accents on the walls and floor adding to the calm atmosphere. A neatly made queen-size bed stood in the center, complete with thick blankets and a bedside lamp. A large window overlooked the swimming pool, still drenched in heavy rain.

Jeslyn placed her bag on a small chair near the bed. She walked to the window and watched the raindrops dance across the glass. In that silence, her thoughts spiraled—about the decisions she had made, the marriage that no longer felt special or wanted, and the man who was now breaking her heart.

“Why did everything become so complicated?” she whispered to her own reflection in the glass.

Tears fell one by one, but no sobs followed—only silence echoed through the room. She wiped them away quickly, as if refusing to admit to herself that she was falling apart.

Jeslyn took a deep breath and walked toward the bed, sitting on the edge. Her hand grasped the blanket, but she didn’t lie down.

“I have to make a decision tomorrow morning. I don’t want to be trapped in a relationship this messy,” she muttered with conviction. She didn’t even truly know Leonel—just the surface of him, without knowing what he was hiding. He was too hard to read, unlike Jefran.

“I don’t want to fall too deeply because of these feelings,” she told herself, her resolve growing firmer.

***