He despised another man coveting his wife!

    They finally arrived at Pearl.

    Darkness enveloped the exterior. Geoffrey’s heart clenched as he darted out of the car, nearly sprinting toward the entrance.

    Pushing open the main door, absolute darkness swallowed him whole.

    Suddenly, Maureen’s words from earlier tonight echoed in his mind:

    “Think carefully. If you leave now, I won’t keep my promise.”

    Geoffrey’s heart seemed to stop. He fumbled for the lights and rushed toward Maureen’s

    room.

    !

    But when he threw open the door, the space stood empty and silent. No trace of the woman

    remained.

    At that moment, his blood froze solid.

    She’d vanished again?

    How long would she disappear this time?

    Geoffrey’s eyes were rimmed red as he frantically searched for her.

    Room after room yielded nothing, and he nearly ordered men to intercept her at the airport.

    Only when he reached the backyard and saw Maureen sitting alone on the empty bench did the tension leave his chest.

    Maureen, unable to sleep, had been catching the night breeze when Geoffrey approached with uncharacteristic panic.

    She hadn’t expected him back tonight.

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    Their eyes locked, and Geoffrey rushed to her, pulling her into an embrace.

    In the dim light, Maureen stiffened slightly, unaware of his bloodshot eyes or the desperation that had consumed him.

    “Why aren’t you in your room at this hour?”

    Geoffrey’s voice came out raspy and low.

    Maureen found the question baffling.

    “Why should I be in my room right now?”

    Geoffrey’s throat tightened.

    He couldn’t exin, nor could he understand why discovering Maureen’s absence had unleashed such primal fear.

    Before he could respond, she asked, “Is Andrea alright?”

    “Someone cut her throat. She’s still hospitalized.”

    Geoffrey answered truthfully.

    Cut her throat…

    Maureen couldn’t help but admire Andrea’s ruthless dedication to her schemes.

    “Did they catch the attacker?”

    Speaking of that person, Geoffrey’s expression turned cold. “No.”

    “However, it was found that except for one fan, the others were Gareth’s bodyguards.”

    Maureen leaned against Geoffrey’s chest. Hearing this, she slowly looked up at him.

    “What does that mean?”

    Geoffrey noticed the shift in her emotions, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. “Did you tell Gareth something?”

    He didn’t believe Maureen would harm Andrea

    But that didn’t mean Gareth wouldn’t hurt Andrea for Maureen’s sake.

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    Maureen’s throat suddenly tightened, her vision blurring with unshed tears.

    “So you think I asked Gareth to hurt her?”

    After all these years, she’d convinced herself she’d moved on from Geoffrey–yet this usation stung like salt in a wound.

    Her grief–stricken gaze pierced Geoffrey like a needle. His lips parted: “Andrea saved my mother. I won’t let her die in Karaville.”

    “If you resent her, tell me directly. Don’t use another man as your weapon.”

    Maureen shoved him away, her eyes hollow.

    “What makes you think I resent her? That I want her dead?

    That I’d send Gareth after her?

    Where’s your proof?”

    Before Geoffrey could respond, Maureen continued, “If there’s any hatred between Andrea and me, it’s because of you. But now…

    She paused, a bitter smile curling her lips. “What makes you think after five years, I’d still love you enough to hurt another woman for your sake?”

    In the pitch–ck night, icy winds howled against them.

    Geoffrey seemed numb to the cold as he closed the distance between them. “Did you say you don’t love me?!”

    Meeting his cial stare, Maureen enunciated each word: “I may be foolish, but not foolish enough to ruin lives over a man.

    Geoffrey’s breath hitched.

    He backed Maureen into a corner, fist smashing against the wall beside her head.

    The violent thud made her shudder.

    Driven by some unseen force, Geoffrey inched closer until their breaths mingled.

    “You’re saying… you don’t love me anymore?”

    Maureen realized her earlier outburst had gone too far. Provoking him now could unravel her

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    Clenching her hidden fists, she forced out the lie: “I don’t know how to keep loving someone who never loved me.”

    Geoffrey forcibly swallowed the bitter resentment in his chest, cupped Maureen’s face, and kissed her directly.

    Only then did Maureen notice his hand was injured and bleeding.

    She felt no pity, wrenching herself away with force.

    “Have you forgotten what I said?

    I won’t keep our agreement anymore.”

    His lips brushed her cheek as her words hung heavy in the air between them.

    He exined, “I owe Andrea. I have to repay her.”

    Owe Andrea…

    Maureen’s throat tightened like cotton was lodged inside. “Then don’t you owe me?”

    Andrea saved his mother’s life!

    But she’d saved him too–why was he ying favorites?

    Geoffrey misunderstood her meaning, assuming she spoke of three years of neglect during their marriage.

    “I promise I’ll make it up to you from now on.

    It was the first time he’d everpromised with anyone.

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