Chapter 24
But then she met Stuart. All her dreams of a perfect marriage broke.
After Morwenna left, the house fell silent.
The faint, sleepy scent that lingered only made Stuart more irritable.
Losing something you've had hurts way more than never having it in the first place.
Stuart had been bothered by insomnia for years, and he had grown accustomed to it.
But after Morwenna arrived, he had slept soundly twice.
Then it was back to wakeful nights, and Stuart was losing his cool, teetering on the brink of blowing up.
He couldn't allow someone to have such a hold over him. It made him feel too vulnerable.
Money couldn't fix this.
With Norbert around, plain threats were off the table, too.
What about emotions?
For reasons unknown, even then, Stuart couldn't bear to use vile, violent means against Morwenna.
Perhaps it was because her pure gaze. It was like a mirror, reflecting one's soul.
Stuart called Fletcher.
That sly fox Fletcher offered his advice.
The more Stuart listened, the more he frowned.
Fletcher chuckled on the phone, "Stuart, do as I say. Making a woman fall for you is simple."
...
Morwenna returned to her rented apartment. She tidied up her things and cleaned the place.
Her roommate, a woman in her thirties, worked nearby. NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.
The old apartment was rundown, and she had to sleep in the living room and share a cramped bathroom, but Morwenna was happy.
It was her own rented place, and she felt secure there.
On her first day away from Stuart, Morwenna even had a better appetite at dinner.
As she contemplated a second helping, there was a knock at the door.
She was new to Rosefrost Hollow, without friends or family there, and Norbert was unaware of her address, so she assumed it was her roommate.
Morwenna put down her fork and went to open the door.
When she saw it was Stuart, she instinctively tried to shut it again.
With his face clouded with anger, Stuart pushed the door open.
Did Morwenna hate him that much?
Stuart was usually the one dishing out the tantrums. This was the first time he found himself on the receiving end of such icy treatment.
Seeing Stuart block the door, Morwenna gave up closing it. Pushing harder might hurt him, and she didn't want to cause harm.
Morwenna spoke with evident displeasure, "What are you doing here? Didn't we agree that we're better off not seeing each other? If it's not about Norbert, don't come for me."
Stuart glanced around the room, sneering, "What is this, a dump? Can anyone actually live here?"
"It's none of your business. I think it's fine."
"Come back to Windcharm Villas with me."
Morwenna didn't hesitate, flatly refusing, "No, sir, have you forgotten it? Yesterday, you insisted I move out, and now you want me back? Is it fun for you to play these games?"
Rarely was Stuart so openly challenged, and a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.
In the next second, he remembered Fletcher's advice and his reason for coming.
He suppressed the darkness in his heart, trying to sound as gentle as possible. "About yesterday, I apologize."
Morwenna was stunned. Stuart, known for his unpredictable and imperious behavior, was apologizing to her?
She looked up at him, her eyes wide and bright like a deer in the woods, vibrant and pure.
Stuart caught his breath under her gaze.