Semua Bab Why the Crocodile Tears?: Bab 221 - Bab 230

Gregory slowly closed his eyes.The next morning, he woke up from a strangely vivid dream.In the dream, Anathea asked him if he was tired. Before he could answer, she sat down beside his leg, holding a book in her hands and saying, "You keep working. I'll stay with you for a bit."He was sitting on a lounge chair going through some documents, and when he let his hand fall, his fingers just happened to touch her face. He was entranced by her soft skin and the fullness beneath her slightly open collar.Then, without any resistance—and honestly without any intention of resisting—his hand moved down, sliding from her face to the smooth skin exposed at her neckline.Gregory opened his eyes slowly, his gaze dark.He instinctively reached for the edge of the bed. When his hand landed on Anathea, he pulled her into his arms.Still half-asleep, Anathea turned toward the warmth and unconsciously snuggled closer.Gregory tensed instantly. He stared at her face and, as if possessed, rea

To outsiders, Gregory and Anathea looked like a loving couple whispering sweet nothings to each other.The gesture successfully caught Wesley's attention as he approached them with his wife."I didn't think you two would be so affectionate!" he exclaimed in Englorian.Plastering a smile, Gregory replied in Englorian as well, "Compared to the bond you and your wife have built over the past ten-plus years, we've still got a long way to go."Wesley and his wife exchanged a smile, their eyes full of tenderness."Well, here's a toast to you both," Wesley said, raising a glass of champagne.A server brought a glass to Anathea, but before she could reach for it, Gregory smoothly took her glass instead."My wife's not feeling well. She shouldn't be drinking. I'll drink on her behalf," he uttered apologetically.With that, he downed both glasses in one go.The gesture instantly won Wesley's approval. "You're such a good husband! This way, please. Let's discuss our partnership."Gregor

"I'm telling you, Wesley and his mistress were wheeled into the ER on the same stretcher! You should've seen the chaos!" Olivia said,She could barely contain her laughter at the memory. Still, with other guests milling about the banquet hall, she covered her mouth to maintain a ladylike facade. "Anyway, about what happened today, I hope—""Don't worry," Anathea said with a gentle smile. "I won't tell anyone."That earned her a genuinely pleased grin from Olivia. "You're such a pleasure to talk to.""The feeling's mutual."Olivia's smile brightened even more. She took out her card and handed it to Anathea. "Since we get along so well, I hope we can keep in touch.""Of course." Anathea accepted the card with a nod.Their conversation had just about run its course.Olivia stood up, glanced at Wesley across the room, and clicked her tongue. "You know, you're the lucky one. At least your husband's hot. Mine looked okay when he was younger, but now? Ugh. His prime was very short-l

Anathea's next words shattered Gregory's final shred of hope."Fulfilling my husband's needs is simply part of being a wife. I don't think it has anything to do with feelings."Her voice was indifferent, and her expression remained utterly calm. It was worlds apart from the flushed, tender look she'd worn the night she'd sat on his lap and helped him find release.She was making it painfully clear that she didn't love him anymore. She didn't even like him. She was simply fulfilling the role of his wife, going through the motions, and doing whatever he asked.Gregory's fist slammed into the car window with a loud crash.Anathea's shoulders trembled at the sound. Her eyes widened in shock."Mr. Sinclair! Mrs. Sinclair!"Upon hearing the noise from inside the car, Cyrus and Jenny rushed over in alarm. They froze in place when they saw what was happening.Gregory's hand had been cut by the glass shards, but he didn't seem to care. Instead, he used his injured hand to grab Anathea b

So, Anathea had stopped daring to hope for anything more. Just being able to keep things as they were was already enough.Xander didn't know what was going on in her mind. He just wanted to stay close to her, so he asked, "Mom, can you sleep with me tonight? You haven't in a while."Anathea paused for a moment. When she met his pleading eyes, she didn't refuse. After all, she'd rather be with Xander than go back to the master bedroom to face Gregory."Yay!" Xander bounced up excitedly and rushed to grab his picture book to show Anathea.Anathea leaned back against the bed and began reading to him, just like she used to. As Xander snuggled into her arms, his face lit up with pure joy.He was thrilled that she was reading him a story again. Maybe if he kept being good, Anathea would go back to being the mother who loved him most.At that thought, Xander hugged her arm and said, "It's so nice to have you here, Mom. I want to be with you forever!"A ripple of emotion stirred in Anat