Chapter 143
Chapter 143:
Loretta pulled Wesley straight out of bed, her voice clipped and urgent. “I went to see a fortune-teller. He says your bad luck’s been running rampant lately. Step aside for a minute. I’m sprinkling holy water right now p>
His damp hair clung to his forehead, stray droplets sliding down the line of his neck as she dragged him away. Suppressing a groan, he muttered, “It’s the middle of the night, Grandma. Can’t we do this tomorrow p>
Her tone left no room for argument. “Absolutely not. Once we start, we finish—and we finish tonight p>
From the doorway, Miriam hurried in, clutching a massive basin brimming with holy water. The thing was so full it sloshed with every step, forcing her to walk stiffly, swaying like she was balancing on a tightrope.
Concern flickered across Wesley’s face, his brow drawing tight as he moved in. “Here, let me give you a hand p>
Loretta instantly blocked him with an outstretched arm. “Don’t touch a thing—stay out of the way p>
He could only retreat a step, letting the two women fuss over the task themselves.
That was when Miriam, having overfilled the basin, wobbled under its weight. The water sloshed violently, spilling across the bed in a sudden wave.
Flustered, Miriam blurted an apology. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for that to happen. This basin’s far too heavy for an old woman like me to carry without spilling p>
Wesley exhaled through his nose, his voice gentling. “Are you hurt p>
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Miriam shook her head with a quick smile. “I’m perfectly fine p>
Loretta’s eyes swept over the room with a solemn air, her voice low and certain. “Your bad luck is no joke this year. It was already terrible, and now it’s doubled.” Without warning, she clapped her hands together, as though struck by divine revelation. “The fortune-teller warned you—no new beds until the year’s over. You need to move back to your original room tonight p>
Wesley gave a flat reply. “I sometimes crash in the study, or at the office.” He’d even slept in hotel rooms while traveling for work.
“That was before!” Loretta shot back, narrowing her eyes. “Things have changed. Go sleep in the master bedroom p>
Wesley let out a slow sigh, shaking his head. “Weren’t you the one who insisted on giving my master bedroom to my secretary p>
“The bed’s large enough for both of you to sleep on your own sides,” Loretta said as if the matter were already settled. “Gabriela’s a proper young woman. You’re a full-grown man. Surely you’re not worried she’ll try something she shouldn’t with you p>
Wesley shot her a wary look, confusion flickering in his eyes.
From the moment Loretta stepped in, she had seemed intent on criticizing Gabriela at every turn, yet within mere hours, she and Miriam were suddenly united in opinion.
Wesley had no interest in deciphering whatever peculiar schemes played out in these two women’s minds. Instead of engaging, he pushed open the study door and called to a passing servant, “Prepare a guest room p>
“Understood, sir p>
Their displeasure was evident in the tightness of Loretta’s mouth and the narrowing of Miriam’s eyes, but the servant worked quickly, readying the room in no time.
Both women followed Wesley inside like shadows unwilling to be shaken.
He regarded the pair with thinly veiled exasperation and said in a firm, nonnegotiable tone, “I’m feeling a little worn out today and need some rest. Let’s do the holy water tomorrow p>
Loretta’s spine stiffened, her tone brooking no refusal. “Absolutely not. This is a brand-new room with a brand-new bed. At the very least, I have to light a blessed candle and pray for peace p>
Wesley found the whole thing absurd. To him, the biggest source of unrest in the house was Loretta and Miriam, not some unseen bad luck.
But Loretta had been steeped in superstition for as long as he could remember. He had grown up knowing her faith in these little rites was unshakable, and after he’d narrowly escaped a brush with death, her devotion had only intensified. Every month without fail, she kept to a strict schedule of prayers and consultations, and if the slightest sign of bad luck appeared, she would go to extraordinary lengths to counter it on his behalf.
And he knew her well enough to understand that if she didn’t carry out her ritual tonight, she’d toss and turn until dawn.
With a resigned breath, Wesley gave a reluctant nod. “All right. But try not to make a mess this time p>
Without missing a beat, Loretta swept in carrying three blessed candles. She arranged them neatly beside the bed, murmured a solemn prayer, and whispered sacred words before striking a match and setting the wicks alight. Everything went off without a hitch, prompting her to clap her hands with satisfaction. “That’s it. All done p>
But Wesley’s gut told him the night was far from over.
Sure enough, Miriam’s shrill voice broke the moment. “The blanket’s on fire p>