All Chapters of Song of the Quiet Flame: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Elaine had not really reacted yet.Jasper's new flame looked a bit shell-shocked, rapidly blinking as she took in the scene.The young girl's face was on the verge of tears, oblivious to the fact that she was the other woman. She held the man's hand, her voice trembling as she said, "Mr. Carter, I...I didn't realize you had... I should go."Elaine had seen her fair share of delicate, helpless girls who played the innocent act, but ones as heartbreakingly pitiful as her? Those were rare.She stood with her arms folded, watching them, a smirk playing on her lips.Jasper caught her eye, paused, and calmly said, "No need to worry. Mrs. Carter is quite understanding."He looked at her for confirmation. "Isn't that right?"Elaine's reply was laced with sarcasm, "Mr. Carter, since when do I have a say in your matters?"Jasper's smile was sharp, his tone biting as he said, "Elaine, you're finally getting the picture."Elaine's role as a wife felt like a cruel joke.Yet, she could not

Elaine took a refreshing bath and slipped into clean pajamas, but her respite was short-lived. Stephen's arms ensnared her once more, his kisses reigniting with an intense heat.It was a long while before their fervor subsided.Feeling drained and sticky with sweat, Elaine was too weary and drowsy to consider another shower.She sat in a daze, her feet still not touching the floor.Suddenly, someone caught her wrist. A deep, chilling voice cut through the silence. "Where do you think you're going?"With a raspy voice, Elaine replied, "To take a bath.""Got any energy left?" Stephen's voice was gentle.Elaine was too spent to answer. Before she knew it, Stephen had swept her up and carried her to the bathroom.They ended up sharing another bath, the steam or maybe the closeness turning her cheeks a rosy red. It was a detail she would keep to herself, too shy to share.Jasper, her husband, had grown distant. His touch had become a memory. His visits home were rare, and those nig

Lucy's eyes widened as she stared at Elaine in disbelief."You..."Elaine gave her a knowing smile. "Ms. Chapman, if you're that capable, try snagging Jasper for marriage. However, let me tell you, being his wife isn't all it's cracked up to be."Lucy was too caught up in excitement to really listen. "You're not worried about me telling Mr. Carter? You think he'd want a faded beauty? Plus, you're cheating while still being married."Elaine could not help but laugh at the irony, especially since those accusations were coming from Lucy.Lucy seemed blissfully unaware that Elaine and Jasper were already navigating their divorce.She was entirely in the dark."Go ahead and tell him," Elaine said dismissively. "I don't need you to speak for me. I'll tell him to his face."Elaine was not about to make her life more complicated than needed, especially since her words that morning had fallen on Jasper's deaf ears.She did not waste too much time on a back-and-forth with Lucy.On her

With a hint of challenge, Elaine said, "Oh. Then, last night's attempt might just fulfill your mother's wishes sooner than expected."Jasper gave her a penetrating look. "Impressive. Good for you."He then gestured toward the dining room. "Come on, it's time for dinner."The old mansion was bustling with guests and relatives from both the host's side and beyond.Jasper's grandfather, Daniel Carter, presided at the head of the table, an empty chair beside him.Without a word from Daniel, no one dared to lift a fork."Stephen's not here yet. Let's hang tight a little longer."No sooner had the words faded than a rustle came from outside the door.Moments later, a man cloaked in a black overcoat entered, catching everyone's eye.Stephen had spent years overseas, rarely showing his face at home.The Carters always held Daniel's favorite grandson in high regard."Sorry for being late."The man brought a lingering cold from outside as he nonchalantly hung his coat on a chair and

It had been ages since Jasper had called her Ellie.Her eyes burned with tears, puffy and red, and she felt like she might crumble.Despite the time that had passed, she was still at a loss.Even when love had faded without an apparent sickness, there had to be a reason behind it.Elaine racked her brain but could not pinpoint where things had gone wrong.What had she done to deserve that?Elaine sniffled, fighting back the tears, and asked, "Jasper, can you tell me why you've stopped loving me? If I've done something wrong, can you please explain it to me?"The man's eyes were fixed on her.As he saw the shimmer of tears in her eyes, a trace of emotion seemed to cross his face, or maybe it was just her wishful thinking.Elaine felt his silence stretch on for an eternity.After what seemed like forever, she heard Jasper's indifferent voice cut through her haze. "I don't know."Maybe I've just grown tired of us."There will always be someone younger, prettier, and more innoc