Chapter 7
Nathan stopped outside Paisley’s room. Since Cassidy didn’t come out, he assumed she was avoiding him, though the flimsy door wouldn’t deter him if he wanted to enter.
Is Paisley her daughter with Josiah? It’s only been five years, and she already has a daughter with another man?‘ he wondered and turned away, putting on his blazer and striding toward the door.
Early in the morning at Cypress Corporation, Logan was startled to find Nathan in the CEO’s office. He instinctively glanced at his watch, which showed half past seven. ‘Mr. Howell usually arrives promptly at nine. He’s exceptionally early today, Logan mused to himself as he called out, “Mr. Howell”
Nathan looked up and hummed in acknowledgment. His usually charming face appeared especially exhausted from a sleepless night.
“Mr. Howell, are you okay?” Logan asked, concerned by Nathan’s strikingly pale face.
“Where’s Phillip?” asked Nathan.
“Dr. Fuller hasn’t reached the company yet, replied Logan.
“Have him come to my office as soon as he gets here,” Nathan instructed
“Okay,” Logan answered.
“And cancel this morning’s meeting.” Nathan added.
“Understood. Logan hesitated before asking cautiously, “Why do you suddenly need Dr. Fuller?”
Phillip was Nathan’s personal physician. Since Cassidy’s “death, Nathan had suffered from insomnia for the past five years, becoming prone to mood swings and temperamental outbursts. Phillip was always nearby, closely monitoring his condition.
Assuming Nathan’s insomnia was acting up again, Logan hurried out of the office and called Phillip urgently.
Half an hour later, Phillip rushed in. Upon seeing Nathan’s complexion, he was taken aback. “Mr. Howell, are you suffering from insomnia again?”
Nathan shook his head and said to Logan, “Get out
“Yes, Mr. Howell Logan nodded.
Once Logan was gone, Nathan stood up and walked to the couch, removing his suit and shirt to reveal the poorly tended wound on his shoulder.
“What happened?” Phillip was startled and quickly moved in to get a closer look. His face fell as he recognized the mark of a sharp object. “This wound..”
Nathan said coldly, “I got scratched by a kitten.”
“A kitten did this?” Phillip asked, skeptical.
Nathan shot him an impatient glare, quieting him at once. Phillip quickly retrieved the medicine box from the cabinet and started tending to Nathan’s wound. Once he was done, he asked anxiously, “Should I call the police?”
Nathan glared at him again. “Get out.”
“Okay.” Phillip collected his things quickly, glanced at the ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts on the table, and left.
Just as Phillip stepped out, he bumped into Meredith, clad in a long dress that accentuated her graceful figure. Catching sight of him, she asked, “Is Nathan in there?
“Yes… he’s inside,” muttered Philip.
Meredith frowned, worried. “I heard that Nathan was out all night. Did he stay at the office?”
Phillip replied hesitantly, “I don’t have the right to inquire about Mr. Howell’s whereabouts, but… it appears he didn’t get any
Chapter 7
sleep last night.”
“Is his insomnia acting up again?” Meredith asked.
“I’m not sure,” said Philip.
Meredith frowned. Since Cassidy’s “death” five years ago, Nathan had suffered from severe insomnia. At his worst, he would go for days without sleep. His condition had become a deep concern for the family. They had consulted numerous doctors, but even the most authoritative experts were at a loss, only saying. “He needs to find solace where he first found sorrow”
A room in the Howell residence had always been left untouched, the one where Cassidy had stayed during her prenatal care. Although five years had passed, it remained spotless as if she had never left. Whenever Nathan’s insomnia grew unbearable, he would find solace in that room.
Once, Meredith saw him asleep there. He lay on the bed, his arms raised as if embracing someone, seemingly imagining Cassidy nestled in his arms. Cassidy had been afraid of the dark since childhood, and during her pregnancy, her sleep was often troubled by nightmares. She would insist he stay with her to help her sleep.
Cassidy had died long ago, but on that fateful night, a part of Nathan had died with her.
Meredith was frustrated, thinking, ‘How is it possible that I’m no match for a dead woman?‘
As she entered, Nathan had just put on his suit, fully back in his business tycoon mode after a short break.
“Nathan.” Meredith approached and hugged him from behind. “You look pale. Did you not sleep all night again?”
Nathan stiffened briefly before prying her arms away and returning to the desk. “Why are you here?”
His tone, colder than ever, made Meredith’s heart skip a beat. She hastily responded, “I was worried because I heard that you didn’t go home last night, so I’m here to check on you.”
“I’m fine, Nathan replied.
Meredith shifted topics nervously. “I heard Jayden got into a fight at school yesterday?”
Nathan looked up but remained silent. Under his scrutinizing gaze, Meredith explained anxiously, I’m worried that Jayden’s being bullied. Have you dealt with it? If you’re busy, I can go to the school and-”
“No need!” Nathan cut her off, his tone growing colder. “Don’t bother.”
Meredith fell silent. For five years, she had been looking after Jayden. Even though she hadn’t carried him for ten months, he was still her son. But, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t earn his love. Jayden stayed aloof, not only from her but also from the entire Howell family. The only exception was Nathan. Both father and son kept to themselves, putting up a wall that Meredith couldn’t break through Just hearing Jayden call her “Mommy” felt like a rare treat.
Meredith sat down next to Nathan and spoke gently. “Nathan, we’ll get married sooner or later. The doctor says I’m fine now, Jayden is also my son. Why don’t you create some opportunities for him to warm up to me more? Jayden’s distant from me, but I’m his mother; how can he not be close to me?”
Nathan remained indifferent.
Meredith pressed on “I’ve already lost two children. Jayden may be the only child we’ll ever have. I just want to-”
“Are you done?” Nathan snapped, his usually charming eyes now flashing with rage.
The mention of the two children who died prematurely, like Cassidy, was a thorn in his heart–painful and best left untouched. It was a taboo no one should ever breach.
1
Realizing her mistake, Meredith stood up in a panic, tears streaming down her face. “Nathan, I… They’re my babies too. I’m equally heartbroken that they died so young. Why are you yelling at me?*
“Get out!” Nathan demanded, mercilessly chasing her away.
Meredith’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Nathan…”
“Or would you prefer if I tell you to piss off?” Nathan snapped.
Tearing up, Meredith was heartbroken. However, knowing Nathan was furious, she dared not say anything more. She quickly
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Chapter 7
wiped away her tears, grabbed her bag, and left.
Nathan closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples.
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