At this point, does he honestly think everything I’ve done is just to fight Serena for the title of ’Mrs. Xavier’?
"Think whatever you want." I smiled at him, "Whenever you say you want a divorce, I’m ready, not a second’s delay."
Timothy’s stern profile was tense, yet he said nothing.
...
Half an hour later, we arrived at The Ellison Family residence.
The Ellison family’s business hasn’t been doing well lately, and they have long since stopped hosting large gatherings. Even for the thirtieth wedding anniversary, they only planned to have a family dinner.
Just as we reached the door, it suddenly hit that I forgot to buy a gift for my parents.
Coming empty-handed on such a day really didn’t seem right.
Just as I was fretting, I saw Timothy step out of the car and retrieve a prepared gift from the trunk.
I was taken aback; I hadn’t expected him to be so prepared in advance.
Admittedly, when it cos to maintaining appearances, Timothy does a much more thorough job than I do.
No matter how we argue or fight in private, as long as we don’t completely tear off the facade in public, he maintains basic courtesy.
He also knows how to choose gifts.
For Mr. Ellison, he gifted an antique Go set, and for Mrs. Ellison, a limited edition handbag from a top luxury brand.
My parents were grinning from ear to ear, and Mr. Ellison imdiately invited Timothy to join him for a ga of Go.
anwhile, Mrs. Ellison led to the living room and quietly asked, "Have you made up with Timothy? Even Madam Sinclair ca forward to support you. And Faye Warren’s lies were exposed. Timothy must feel very guilty towards you, right?"
I didn’t want to spoil my parents’ mood on such a day, so I just brushed it off with a noncommittal ’yeah.’
Soon, the al was ready, and we sat down at the dining table.
Four people, it felt rather empty.
I asked Mrs. Ellison, "Mom, where’s my brother? Today is a big day for you and dad. Why isn’t my brother ho yet?"
Mrs. Ellison appeared slightly disappointed, sighed, and said, "Your brother’s been busy with who knows what lately. He hasn’t been ho for days. He called today saying he wouldn’t be coming for dinner, and he didn’t sound like he was in a good mood."
I couldn’t help but think of the recent events with Serena.
My brother’s mood seed to fluctuate with Serena’s.
Although I felt it was wrong for my brother to miss such a day, he always reminded that I was just an adopted daughter of The Ellison Family.
I truly had no right to criticize him.
So I swallowed my discontent.
Timothy spoke up, "I’ll find ti to contact Declan, see what’s been up with him lately."
Mr. Ellison nodded, "You’ve always been close to Declan. He may share his worries with you that he won’t with us. Having you around, we’re much more at ease."
Timothy nodded and raised his glass, "Mom, Dad, happy anniversary."
I hurriedly raised my glass as well to join in the well-wishing to my parents.
After setting my glass down, Mrs. Ellison’s eyes were slightly red, "Reaching this point with Zoe’s dad hasn’t been easy. Honestly, any couple that can grow old together is blessed. Timothy, can you promise to treat Zoe well, and not let those other won bully her?"
Timothy’s brows furrowed slightly in displeasure, seemingly not fond of Mrs. Ellison alluding to Serena.
But in the end, he didn’t spoil the day by contradicting Mrs. Ellison, simply replying, "I know."
I rembered when he ca to The Ellison Family to propose to , Mrs. Ellison also sincerely urged him to ’treat well.’
Back then, his words were sincere, every syllable heartfelt and loud.
But now, his tone was perfunctory, almost as if he couldn’t even bother to pretend anymore.
Mr. Ellison, being a man, wasn’t as sensitive as us won, not even noticing Timothy’s displeasure.
He continued the sensitive topic, "Timothy, it’s been a while since you and Zoe lost your first child. Isn’t it ti you considered having another?"
I couldn’t help but grip my chopsticks tightly, pondering how to steer Mr. Ellison away from this topic, when Timothy replied, "Dad’s right."
With those words, both Mrs. and Mr. Ellison bead with satisfaction.
Only my expression remained unnaturally stiff, unable to match their joy with a smile.
I truly didn’t understand, despite the state Timothy and I were in, how could he seamlessly agree with my dad without a change in expression or heart rate?
After dinner, my brother finally returned ho.
Mrs. Ellison remarked regretfully, "If you’d co back earlier, you could’ve chatted with your sister and brother-in-law. Now that we’ve finished dinner, what’s the point of returning now?"
My brother didn’t say a word, his face sullen as if soone owed him millions. Forrly so fond of hanging out with Timothy, now he coldly scanned us, didn’t even bother to greet, and headed straight upstairs.
Mrs. Ellison awkwardly explained, "Timothy, don’t take it to heart. Declan isn’t targeting you. It’s likely the company’s matters have been overwhelming for him..."
Timothy responded, "Maybe he’s standing up for Zoe. After all, she was the one he used to care for most."
I scoffed internally; now the person my brother cared for most must have beco Serena.
Just then, a maid ca over carrying two bowls of dicine.
The strong sll of the herbal concoction imdiately made nauseous.
Mrs. Ellison said, "I almost forgot, the maid made this especially for you. Did you finish the last batch? I’ve ordered so more for you; it’s good for your health. Just give it a try."
Mrs. Ellison winked at , and I quickly figured out what kind of dicine it was.
I blushed imdiately, "Mom, my stomach hasn’t been good lately, making nauseous. I really can’t drink this herbal dicine. How about I try it once I feel better?"
Mrs. Ellison insisted, "Zoe, I found this traditional doctor after a long wait. Many have successfully conceived after taking his prescriptions. Please, just for mom’s sake, show so compassion for all my efforts."
As she spoke, she tried to hand the dicine to .
The overwhelming sll made nauseous, and I quickly rushed to the bathroom.
When I ca out, I shook my head at Mrs. Ellison, "Mom, I really can’t drink it."
Even if I weren’t nauseous, I couldn’t drink it.
After all, I was already pregnant, and I couldn’t take random dications.
Mrs. Ellison was extrely disappointed.
With my refusal, they didn’t dare ask Timothy to drink the dicine either.
But I was surprised when Timothy willingly picked up the bowl and drank all the dicine in one go.
Only then did Mrs. Ellison drop the matter.
The maid packed the remaining dicine into a bag for us to take ho.
As we left, Timothy and I weren’t particularly close, but at least we walked out together.
But once we left, he walked further and further away, getting into the car by himself.
I assud he would drive ho.
Yet, as I watched the road, sothing felt increasingly off.
We were headed toward The Xavier Manor.
I imdiately turned to the man beside , "Timothy, if it’s inconvenient for you to drop off, just stop here and I’ll get a cab instead."
The driver glanced at Timothy in the rearview mirror, seemingly seeking his decision.
Without even looking at , Timothy instructed, "Keep driving."
And so, the driver continued on the path to The Xavier Manor.
Growing anxious, I asked, "Timothy, what exactly are you planning?"
His aloof silhouette flickered in and out of the dim interior of the car; in a cold voice, he stated, "With everything you’ve been stirring up lately, hasn’t it all been for having a child with ? I’ll grant you that wish. We’ll take care of that tonight."
My heart skipped a beat, and I hastily explained, "You don’t need to pay any mind to what my parents said at The Ellison Family. I’ve never planned on having another child with you, and those words were theirs, not mine."
"It’s irrelevant."
Timothy said, expressionless, "It’s been three years, it’s indeed ti for another child. Maybe once we have a child, you’ll settle down."
Thinking of the little one in my belly, my voice trembled nervously, "Timothy, tell the driver to stop! Otherwise, I’ll jump out of the car."
Although I was just trying to scare him, there’s no way I would do sothing dangerous with a child in my belly.
The driver in the front was startled and quickly locked the car doors.
Perhaps he didn’t expect to resist so fiercely; Timothy Xavier’s expression revealed a hint of displeasure and confusion.
In his mind, I should have been that Zoe Ellison, clinging to him, chasing him, impossible to drive away.
For the past three years, each ti we were intimate, he deliberately used contraceptives. No matter how I enticed him, or suggested having another child with him, he remained unmoved.
Often, he would leave right after, never giving the chance to get pregnant again.
Unfortunately now, when he’s willing, I’m not.
As for the child in my belly, I see it as a blessing from heaven, giving another blood-related relative.
But I will never let Timothy Xavier know about its existence.
I don’t know if it’s because the air in the car is too quiet, but I seem to hear Timothy’s increasingly heavy and labored breathing.
Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at him and found that his ears and side profile were very red.
He was sitting in the back seat of the car, trying to rest with his eyes closed, his brows furrowed tightly, as if restraining sothing.
Could it be that the dicine my mother gave him was to enhance his desires?
Just then, the car arrived at The Xavier Manor.
I quickly got out of the car, ready to leave, but Timothy grabbed my wrist and dragged toward the house.
"Timothy Xavier, let go!"
Don’t be fooled by his slender build; he’s quite strong. I was dragged along by him, unable to break free.
I could even clearly feel the burning heat of his palm.
Once in the room, he pinned against the door while taking off his jacket.
The once distant and cold monk, at this mont, seed like a different person.
I was terrified, my voice a mix of anger and tremor: "Timothy Xavier, you can’t touch !"
"Why not?"
He paused, his scalding breath spraying on my cheeks.
I said, "Could it be that the Chinese dicine you drank at The Ellison Family was problematic? I’ll take you to the hospital."
Timothy trapped with his body, his voice hoarse to the point of agony: "No need for the hospital, it’ll be fine once we’re done."
With that, he lowered his head, aiming to kiss my neck.
"No way!"
I said ashad and angry, "If you don’t want to go to the hospital, then go find Serena Sawyer!"
Timothy hesitated slightly, frowning deeply, "Zoe Ellison, you are Mrs. Xavier, being intimate is your duty!"
He continued kissing my neck, his hands restlessly roaming my back.
That feeling was as if a snake was wrapping around , ready to snap my neck at any mont.
But I had to protect my child; the doctor said no intimacy in the first three months, especially since I had symptoms of a threatened miscarriage.
In desperation, I blurted out, "Timothy Xavier, actually I..."
Just as I finished speaking, Timothy’s phone rang suddenly.
He had a habit; his ringtone was categorized.
I’d never heard this ringtone before, but as soon as he did, he imdiately suppressed all his desires and answered the call.
He even walked a bit farther away, as if intentionally avoiding .
But I glimpsed the phone number’s origin was Westre from my peripheral vision.
I clenched my fingers tightly, so, was sothing wrong with that woman of Timothy’s in Westre?
Before I could dwell on it, Timothy ended the call.
Before hanging up, he instructed his assistant to prepare a private jet, to depart in two hours.
He didn’t glance at again, hurrying to the bathroom to shower.
A half-hour later, Timothy ca out of the bathroom, seemingly having resolved things himself inside.
He dressed swiftly, his usually composed face full of urgency.
Upon reaching the door, he seed to rember my existence.
"The company’s having issues; I need to take a business trip."
Leaving behind a perfunctory explanation, he was gone.
I had already grown numb to his departures.
But now was a good ti to uncover the truth.
After he left, I imdiately called the private detective and said, "You have to follow Timothy Xavier now; he’s leaving for Westre in two hours. Rember, don’t get discovered."
"Rest assured, Miss Ellison, we’re very experienced in tailing."
The private detective assured confidently.
And I, in the middle of the night, also left The Xavier Manor.
While leaving, Nanny Lowell tried to persuade to stay, but I didn’t want to linger there a second longer.
...
The next day, my phone was silent; no news from the private detective.
Until evening, my inbox finally had so activity.
"Miss Ellison, the woman your husband t in Westre is Serena Sawyer’s sister, Naomi Sawyer. However, she has a severe ntal illness, and this Soria Psychiatric Hospital was built by President Xavier with a huge investnt for her.
Our investigation reveals that she was President Xavier’s lover during his overseas studies; four years ago, due to an accident, she beca paralyzed. Later, she beca increasingly despondent and developed a ntal illness. Over the years, President Xavier has been hiring top doctors to treat her, taking a few days every month, no matter how busy, to accompany her."
As I looked at this string of words, I was utterly amazed.
So, the one Timothy Xavier truly loves is not Serena, but her sister Naomi? But the information the detective found says that Timothy was in love with her during his overseas studies.
If so, why did he propose to and marry ?
A multitude of questions weighed heavily on my mind, like a thick cloud.
I replied to the email: "I need more details about Timothy Xavier and Naomi Sawyer. Also, if possible, please obtain a sample of Naomi Sawyer’s hair."
If I’m not mistaken, Doris should be Naomi Sawyer’s daughter, right?
After sending the ssage, the inbox returned to silence.
But my heart remained restless.
Thinking of the youthful years I had wasted, the grievance and bitterness within surged like waves.
It turned out, even before we got married, he loved soone else.
Yet he had to propose to , personally leading to heaven, only to cruelly cast into hell.
I took a few deep breaths of fresh air, murmuring softly, "Timothy Xavier, I will definitely find out how much you’ve deceived !"
Two days later, my inbox finally had activity again.
Private Detective: "Miss Ellison, we have obtained so of Naomi Sawyer’s hair samples. Your husband has already headed back today; should we stay here to continue the investigation, or send all the gathered information to you?"
I said, "You can return. He didn’t notice anything unusual, did he?"
"No, he didn’t."
With this assurance, I was relieved.
Soon, the private investigator sent a file detailing the love story between Timothy Xavier and Naomi Sawyer.
From this file, I got all the answers.
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