Agreement Behind Her Marriage

A few days later, Kael was at work when Faye Burnham, an unexpected guest, came to see him. He hadn’t seen her since his mother’s birthday.

‘What is she doing here?’

For the next few days, he made a conscious effort to forget about the woman, as she had wished. He wanted to refocus his goals and attention away from Faye because she was driving him crazy. However, Faye visiting him in his office raised serious issues for him because he had already decided to stay away from her due to the potential conflicts within their family.

“Let her in,” he instructed his secretary.

A short while later, he watched Faye enter his room. In a dark pencil skirt and a light button-up blouse, she presented a polished appearance.

When she saw his stern face, she gulped and shut the door. “I’m sorry for my sudden presence! What I need from you is important.”

“Please take a seat.”

Faye followed. “Thank you!”

Kael got to his feet and walked over to the water dispenser. The woman’s presence made his throat dry, and he asked, “Would you like coffee or tea?”

“Tea, please…”

“I only have Earl Gray here.”

“That’s fine.”

Because it seemed that fate had played a trick on them, Kael needed to be prepared for whatever Faye had brought. It was as if he was being tested. After some time, he placed a cup of tea in front of the woman.

“Why are you here, Faye?” Kael allowed her to start by asking for what she needed.

Faye took a sip of tea before responding, “Brother Finn told me that Lily, Drew’s wife, will be here today.”

Kael gently raised an eyebrow. He was aware that Drew’s wife had been going through an emotional ordeal and had been taking it easy for the past few days. Even after reconciling with Drew, Lily continued to face problems and difficulties.

While waiting for her degree, Lily approached him the other day about a new project. That’s why he had invited Lily to come by his office today.

“Why?” he asked.

“Kael, I am handling the case of Carmela Sanchez, the r*pe victim.”

What a coincidence?!

One of the male defendants who had been troubling Danica lately was her ex-boyfriend. Carmela Sanchez involved Lily because, in her words, the latter was one of Kenneth and his friends’ victims.

Their situation is not difficult to comprehend because Lily stayed at the Arvesso Resort, and that’s why she sought safety on the island.

“I need to talk to Lily. I came here because I have no other option.”

He didn’t understand her reasoning. “Drew and your brother are great friends, so it should be simple to locate them, Faye. Why don’t you go to Drew’s place? The couple has returned to their residence.”

“I know! Finn warned me that Drew could not accept our request for Lily to serve as a witness. I was informed they were having issues with the Walton Family.”

“And you’re here because you believed I could help?” he asked sarcastically.

He responded in an unexpected way, leaving Faye dumbfounded. Did she realize he was struggling with their situation? He didn’t want to add this to his existing difficulties with Drew. Why was Faye putting him through this?

“Kael… I just want to talk to Lily.”

He nodded reluctantly. He called his secretary and instructed her to let Lily enter his office. He couldn’t help but appear distant around Faye, which he believed made her feel uncomfortable, especially since they were alone in the room. Despite the physical proximity, they both hesitated to address their inner emotions in this confined space.

Faye wiped away her tears. “I feel like an idiot. I asked you to stay away, but I came anyway. I needed to divert my attention from the sorrow I’m feeling at home, but I guess my timing wasn’t always perfect. Not always…”

He felt a degree of regret as he recalled Mrs. Burnham’s chemotherapy treatment.

“How is your mom?”

“S-she’s not okay,” Faye burst into tears.

To comfort the woman, Kael got up and, for once, allowed her to lean on him. He knew the Burnhams well and could empathize with her current situation. The burden Faye was carrying seemed to pierce his chest.

Faye sobbed on his chest as she admitted, “I’m looking for a chance to tell my fiancé that I cheated on him. I’m ashamed because of what happened that night.”

Kael’s lips formed a line. His thoughts were becoming more and more confused. He wanted to convey that he was prepared to accept her, but once they reconciled, what did they really want? They would have to start over from scratch because no matter what they did, their family would disapprove of their relationship.

Will he and Faye find happiness if he offers her everything?

It’s unexpected that he no longer wants to dive headfirst into his emotions. He must take a deep breath and give himself some time.

“Does he know that… our son died?” Kael asked, curious about her boyfriend’s knowledge.

Faye shook her head.

“You have to tell him everything, Faye. That way, you’ll know if your fiancé truly loves you.”

“I’m scared…” she responded with tears.

Pulling out a tissue, Kael wiped her cheek. Faye quickly regained her composure since she needed to feel better in order to talk to Lily.

The door burst open as Lily appeared, interrupting him just as he was trying to comfort Faye. She looked baffled by what she saw, and Kael felt guilty not only for upsetting Drew’s wife but also for involving Danica, who was Lily’s friend, in this situation.

***

Lily headed to Kael’s office after spending her days with Drew. Her husband drove her, but she asked him to stay in the car.

Despite Master Walton’s requests for him to come back, her husband persisted in sulking. He had no intention of returning to the Walton Group again unless his grandfather made amends to Lily. With these small gestures, she could tell how much Drew loved her. Nobody can treat her with the respect and compassion she deserves besides Drew.

Why didn’t you even say that you and Orion are siblings? She sent Danica that message while the elevator was going up.

Danica: Sorry! I don’t want you to think badly of me.

Lily: What about Drew? Do you know he is my husband?

Danica: I’m not! I’m being honest with you! Orion’s keeping these things a secret from me, and it severely annoyed me! At first, you confused me for Orion’s girlfriend.

Danica sent that text message along with a crying emoji.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Brother Orion…

Lily touched her chest as she realized that the man she had always considered to be her brother was actually related to her. When she and Drew split up, Orion looked after her like a big brother. She also grew to enjoy being Danica’s sister, hoping they were already aware of the truth and anticipating Mr. Arvesso’s confession.

She placed her phone back inside her purse as the elevator approached Kael’s office floor.

The secretary said, “Good morning, Lily! Boss Kael is waiting inside his office. You can just come in.”

Lily answered with a smile. Following the instructions, she simply opened Kael’s door and entered his office.

Kael was inside, but he wasn’t alone. She found him hugging a woman, but they immediately separated.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” she muttered to Kael. “I had assumed you were by yourself because your secretary told me to enter.”

As far as I know, Kael doesn’t have a girlfriend.

The woman Kael was with regained her composure and moved closer to Lily. “Mrs. Walton?”

“Uhm, yes?”

“I’m Faye Burnham.” She shook hands with Lily.

Lily shifted her attention to Kael, who became silent and avoided her gaze.

Faye scratched her cheek and then winced, saying, “I know your husband, but knowing Drew…”

“Oh! Finn is your brother!” Lily guessed the woman’s connection to her husband’s best friend based on the woman’s last name. “It’s nice to meet you!”

But Faye was being serious as she continued, “I’m here to talk about my client, Carmela Sanchez.”

It startled Lily, and her smile subsequently vanished.

“I’m here to encourage you to participate as a witness against Kenneth Martin and his friends.”