CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: THE CHILD WHO NEVER CAME

Maeve Lane opened her slightly hazy eyes, her gaze still a bit unfocused.

For a moment, she didn’t even know where she was.

The huge sense of disparity and emptiness slowly emerged, making her feel somewhat disoriented.

"Young mistress, why did you fall asleep here?" Mrs. Thompson picked up the fallen blanket and covered Maeve Lane, "Be careful not to catch a cold."

The familiar sofa, the familiar villa, and the familiar people.

This was Crestfall Bay, where she had lived for two years.

It turned out it was just a dream just now.

She dreamed of her university days, all the things from before, which now seemed so distant.

Maeve Lane closed her eyes, "It’s fine, just lying here for a bit is enough."

"Sir, you’re back!"

A voice came from outside, not too loud nor too soft, and Maeve Lane heard it, but did not react.

Julian Fairchild walked in, his deep gaze swept over Maeve Lane inch by inch as if it were tangible.

The woman reclining on the sofa with her eyes gently closed had a beautiful face and a shapely figure, her face had long shed the slight baby fat of her girlhood, her features were delicate, and her upturned neck was white and slender.

Noticing the man was scrutinizing her, Maeve Lane opened her frost-laden eyes and met his silently.

People inevitably change.

Julian Fairchild was the first to avert his gaze.

"I will withdraw from ’Illusionary Joy’." Maeve Lane moved her lips, looking at Julian Fairchild, "But I signed a contract for ’Rivers and Mountains as Usual’, I hope you won’t interfere."

The air fell silent, even Mrs. Thompson sensed something was off.

The young master and mistress seemed to be arguing?

Since working as the housekeeper at Crestfall Bay, she had never seen the young mistress speak so firmly to the young master.

Even if usually indifferent, one could feel that she was trying her best not to let her tone be that cold.

"Whatever."

Julian Fairchild tossed out a word and went straight upstairs.

Maeve Lane exhaled slightly, picking up the script for ’Rivers and Mountains as Usual’ again.

As long as she received Julian Fairchild’s response, she would have no worries about taking this role.

...

At night, when going to bed, Maeve Lane hesitated for a moment, then pushed open the door to the master bedroom.

Julian Fairchild had his back to her, his body stiffening, his gaze gradually deepening.

Seemingly aware that her actions could lead to misunderstandings, once Maeve Lane opened the door, she leaned against the doorway, not stepping further, "I’m not in a position to stay here tonight."

The man didn’t speak.

In reality, Julian Fairchild was always sparing with words.

Back in school, he occasionally had the rebellious spirit of a young man, but now he was silent and restrained, his cold demeanor exuding a powerful aura, carrying the unique charm of a mature man.

After Maeve Lane spoke, she closed the door.

In truth, she didn’t know what role she should assume when interacting with Julian Fairchild.

Was she an ex-girlfriend?

A debtor?

Or his... nominal wife?

Thinking of the last designation, Maeve Lane simply stopped thinking about it.

No matter what, she would repay everything she owed him.

Whether it was money or time or the passion spent.

He spent three years on her, so she’d repay him earnestly for three years.

The room was cold and quiet.

Julian Fairchild lay on the bed but only slept on one side, his right hand placed gently, as if encircling an imaginary lover through the air.

He didn’t turn on the light, got out of bed, and took the "birth control pills" Maeve Lane had been taking from the nightstand.

Pouring one into his hand, he swallowed it without a hint of hesitation.

It was a vitamin.

Julian Fairchild’s eyes darkened even more, his deep voice spreading through the darkness —

"If there were a child, you wouldn’t leave, right?"

Unfortunately, heaven seemed not to favor him.

They’d been married for two years, yet no child came to him and Maeve Lane.