Chapter 23 Whispers in the Dark
Finished
Standing at the door of the study, Natalie could faintly detect the scent of alcohol wafting from inside.
“Wesley, are you sure your father has been inside all day?” she asked.
Wesley nodded vigorously. “Yes, I’ve been waiting outside the whole time. Daddy hasn’t come out
even once.”
Hearing this, a gleam of something unreadable flashed through Natalie’s eyes. She turned to Wesley and said, “Wesley, go back to your room first. Don’t worry; leave your father to me. I will take good care of him.”
Wesley glanced at the closed study door, then back at Natalie. “Ms. Dawson, can’t I go in too?”
Afraid that he might interfere with her plans, Natalie quickly comforted him, “You know your daddy is in a bad mood today. He may get angry and accidentally hurt you. We wouldn’t want that to happen, would we? Besides, it’s already late. If you don’t sleep early, you won’t grow tall.”
Wesley hesitated as he was still worried. But after Natalie repeatedly reassured him, he finally relented and went back to his room.
After getting the study key from a maid, Natalie unlocked the door and stepped inside.
The strong
smell of alcohol immediately hit her, the room cloaked in darkness. Using the flashlight on her phone, she searched for the switch and turned on the lights.
The moment the room was illuminated, she was startled to find Francis sitting in his chair, his cold eyes locked onto her. That chilling gaze made her heart skip a beat.
“Francis, you’re not drunk?” Natalie forced a smile, feigning surprise.
Francis, holding a glass of liquor, merely stared at her. Perhaps the alcohol had dulled his perception, or perhaps he simply did not care. He did not notice the unease in her voice. “Why are you here?” he asked.
Natalie adjusted her expression, stepped closer, and spoke with concern. “Francis, what
happened? Wesley said you locked yourself in here all day. He was worried about you, so he asked me to check on you.”
Francis did not answer. He took another sip of his drink, his silence heavy.
Seeing his lack of response, Natalie’s eyes flickered with calculation. Tentatively, she asked, “Is it because of Clara?”
The mere mention of that name caused Francis’s drinking hand to pause.
Natalie instantly knew where to strike.
Chapter 23 Whispers in the Dark
Finished
all my fault. If it weren’t for me, you and Clara wouldn’t be arguing. She wouldn’t be insisting on a divorce. Francis, should I go explain to her?”
Francis, his gaze unreadable, merely shook his head. “Natalie, don’t blame yourself. This has nothing to do with you.”
“But…” Natalie hesitated. Her worries looked sincere.
Francis sighed, “We’re divorced.”
Natalie’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Francis, how could you? You still have Wesley. Is it because Clara misunderstood our relationship again? I can explain it to her. You love her so much. How could she just abandon you and Wesley? If Wesley finds out, he’ll be heartbroken.”
“No, I can’t let this happen. Francis, I can’t bear to see you like this. If you still care about Clara, I’ll go explain everything to her right now.” She turned abruptly, as if determined to leave at once.
Seeing her desperation, Francis stopped her. “Natalie, this has nothing to do with you.”
“How could it not?” Natalie protested, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. “Before this, Clara always fought with you because of me. It must be the same this time!”
Her tears rolled down her face that filled with sorrow and helplessness. “It’s all my fault. If it’s not for me, none of this would have happened. Francis, please let me explain to her.”
Looking at Natalie’s crying face, Francis hesitated. He voiced after a long silence, “She is with someone else.”
Natalie’s tears halted instantly. She looked at him in disbelief. “Francis, you must have misunderstood. Clara wouldn’t do that.”
Francis said nothing, but he let go of her hand.
“Is it Liam?” Natalie gasped, covering her mouth as if in shock. “Francis, it couldn’t be him, could it? That day at the police station, I only suspected something between them. I never imagined…. Francis, Clara must have been momentarily confused. That’s the only explanation for her being with Liam. Please don’t be too upset.
She stepped closer, gently placing her hands on his shoulders as a comforting gesture. Her eyes flickered towards the liquor in his glass, and the corners of her lips curled. “Francis, if you’re feeling sad and want to drink, let me drink with you. At least you’ll have someone to talk to.”
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Becoming a Cool Lady After Divorce
