Chapter 24 The Spice of Life
The fact that he remembered such a small detail showed how determined he was to prevent her from getting pregnant.
“How thoughtful of you to remember to bring me pills despite your busy schedule.” Cecilia picked up the bottle, shook out a pill, and swallowed it dry.
Then she stood up and dumped every dish on the table right in front of Kolton.
She hadn’t eaten. She wasn’t hungry. Fury had filled her up completely.
Kolton watched until she took the pill, then turned and headed upstairs.
As he reached the stair landing, the clatter of dishes echoed from the dining room below.
Her temper was getting worse. His expression darkened.
With an international video conference scheduled for that evening, he chose to ignore Cecilia’s foul mood. After showering, he shut himself in his study.
Trenton called to brief him on meeting details, eventually mentioning Iris, “Ms. Velasquez said you asked her to choose one of your properties to stay in temporarily, but she picked….
“Whatever she chose is fine. Don’t bother me with this.”
Kolton’s mood had soured because of Cecilia.
Now even the mention of women irritated him, his patience wearing thin.
00:49
“As you say, Mr. Thompson,” Trenton replied deferentially before the call ended.
The conference lasted until 3 AM.
Meanwhile, Cecilia slept fitfully, dreaming of Kolton sharing meals with Iris in his office.
The dreams grew worse, visions of Iris visiting Kolton’s office in broad daylight, and the two having sex right there.
That private lounge had been their usual spot for intimate encounters.
Cecilia felt suffocated when she saw their intimate moment.
As she gradually woke from her dream, she realized this suffocation was actually caused by Kolton’s fierce kisses.
He threw aside the thin blanket separating them, pressing his muscular chest against her soft body.
“I’m sleepy,” Cecilia murmured against his lips, her eyes barely open as if sleep–talking.
Her delicate voice and smooth glowing skin stimulated Kolton beyond endurance, straining his self–control to its limits.
“The medicine was expensive,” he said in a low, hoarse voice. “You just took it. Don’t waste its effects.”
Cecilia’s heart softened momentarily, but when she remembered how he had been equally intimate with Iris, it hardened again.
No medicine could be more expensive than the extravagant gifts he gave Iris worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Her resistance proved useless. Exhausted from last night, she could only endure as he had his way.
00:49
11:28 (Woche
Yesterday, Kolton had been too distracted by the change of location to notice Cecilia’s unusual behavior.
Tonight, moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating her delicate face.
Flushed with arousal yet stubbornly silent, she pressed her sensual lips together.
Cecilia possessed striking features; her smiles were enchanting; her tears could make him feel guilty.
When stubborn like this, her cold elegance made him want to both protect and dominate her.
Kolton didn’t understand this contradictory impulse.
Perhaps after days of frustration with her, he wanted to see her submit willingly, to watch her lose control, to have her eyes focus only on him.
Though unsuccessful tonight, he remained undiscouraged.
Her resistance simply added spice to their interactions.
Maybe she had learned this provocative behavior somewhere intentionally.
Saturday marked Cecilia and Kolton’s scheduled visit to the Thompson family.
Kolton went to the office first thing in the morning while Cecilia drove to purchase pastries and fruit.
Regardless of circumstances, the Thompsons had always treated her well. Her desire for divorce stemmed entirely from Kolton’s personal issues, so she should show his elders respect still.
Besides, she likely wouldn’t be visiting much longer anyway.
00.49
Earlier that morning, Cecilia had called Trenton, who said he had found the deceased’s medical records. The deceased had been diagnosed with a terminal illness two months ago.
Other investigative leads had also surfaced.
What initially appeared to be a possible scam case now clearly was one, stirring quiet excitement in Cecilia.
Quincy’s matter would be resolved soon, and then… she could get a divorce.
To avoid arousing Kolton’s suspicion, she maintained their usual routine, reminding him about the family visit and checking if he’d eaten lunch by
noon.
Like usual, Kolton ignored her messages.
When her text notification appeared, he opened their chat window and noticed last night’s message about working late and skipping dinner had never been delivered, marked by a red exclamation point likely due to poor signal.
Seeing Cecilia hadn’t mentioned the dinner and continued texting normally, Kolton locked his phone without explanation.
Why bother when she’d keep behaving the same regardless?
A mocking smile curved his lips.
That day at the Thompson’s estate, Cecilia arrived in the afternoon as usual.
She spent some time helping Kianna prune the garden before Braden called her over to play chess.
“Cecilia, how is your brother’s situation progressing?” Braden asked.
00:49
Cecilia held a chess piece in her hand and nodded. “I called Trenton this morning. We’ve collected concrete evidence and it should be resolved soon. Thank you for helping.”
Braden paused mid–move when placing a piece. “Trenton is handling it?”
“Yes,” Cecilia answered automatically, then quickly frowned.
Remembering how Kolton had accused her of complaining to the family, she added, “Kolton is busy. It doesn’t matter who handles it.”
Braden’s expression softened at her explanation. “The kitchen made your favorite poached chicken tonight. Enjoy it later.”
T
“Thank you,” Cecilia replied, feeling warmed by his thoughtfulness.
Kolton bore around seventy percent resemblance to Braden. Had he inherited Braden’s gentle temperament too, the similarity would have been even stronger.
Still, despite his cold demeanor, Kolton’s handsome features kept him the center of attention, with countless women eager to marry him.
This aloofness came from his mother. Both shared the same reserved nature.
Cecilia found it impossible to discern genuine emotions from someone so naturally restrained.
After all, even after all these years of marriage to Braden, Kolton’s mother maintained her stern expression, though their relationship was reportedly strong.
After finishing their chess game, Kianna called Cecilia to the rooftop greenhouse to cut flowers.
Kianna had grown Cecilia’s favorite small sunflowers, which were now in perfect bloom. Cut and placed in a vase, they could last a week indoors.
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28 Nischers
If preserved as dried flowers before wilting, they would endure even longer.
Since Cecilia loved flowers, she accompanied Kianna upstairs to see them.
Braden was collecting chess pieces when Kolton arrived home looking travel–weary.
A chill from the late autumn night clung to him, his brow etched with fatigue.
“Dad,” Kolton greeted.
“Come play a game,” Braden said, gesturing to the opposite seat.
Kolton removed his suit jacket but didn’t approach. “Where’s Mom?”
Braden frowned. “Do you need her for something?”
“It’s about the overseas…” Kolton’s voice trailed off as he remained near the doorway, showing no intention to join the game.
Their conversations were typically brief, usually consisting of Braden inquiring about Kolton’s health.
Rarely did Kolton initiate discussions with his father.
Braden tossed the chess pieces back onto the board. “Don’t talk about work outside office hours. Your mother needs rest. Explain why you assigned Cecilia’s brother’s case to Trenton.”
Kolton’s expression darkened immediately.
