Chapter 57
Frederick stared deeply into her eyes. Maeve’s heart hammered frantically, feeling as though it might burst straight out of her chest.
After a few agonizing seconds of a standoff, Frederick was the first to look away.
But just an instant later, his gaze returned. His hand moved to gently cup her cheek, his voice dropping low, carrying a strange, unreadable trace of melancholy.
“Mae, you are incredibly important to me. I don’t want you lying to me p>
“Important?” Maeve let out a hollow, bitter laugh.
“Frederick, if the day ever comes where I feel absolutely forced to lie to you, it will be because you pushed me to it p>
Frederick pressed his lips into a tight line, falling into a heavy silence.
Maeve exhaled a sharp breath, shoved him back, and pressed herself against the car door, her gaze locked distantly on the scenery rushing past the window.
A rustle sounded beside her as Frederick leaned over to fasten her seatbelt before pulling out onto the road.
Inside the luxury boutique.
The store manager personally welcomed Maeve and Frederick.
The boutique had been entirely cleared of other customers, displaying rows of exquisite, high-end gowns.
Maeve walked over to browse. Spotting a dress she liked, habit took over, and she instinctively turned around to ask for his opinion.
Frederick was sitting on the sofa, engrossed in his phone. He was texting rapidly, completely absorbed in the conversation, not even noticing her looking at him.
The top two buttons of his black dress shirt were undone beneath his silver-gray suit, exposing a striking glimpse of his collarbone.
Above that was the sharp cut of his jawline and a prominent Adam’s apple.
His deeply sculpted features looked even more flawless under the bright, elegant lighting of the boutique.
It was top-tier bone structure, like a master sculptor’s ultimate masterpiece—utterly flawless.
But his looks were truly the least impressive thing about him.
During his university years, he had swept up multiple international awards.
Between competitions, he took over the family empire and dragged the stagnating Fairchild Corporation to towering new heights.
Maeve used to feel so incredibly proud that this phenomenal man was hers, pouring every ounce of her love and tenderness into him.
But now that his love had been revoked p>
All that was left for her was endless, excruciating agony.
“Mae Frederick suddenly looked up at her.
Maeve snapped out of her thoughts, assuming he had finally remembered why he brought her here. She held up the gown in her hands.
“Do you think this dress p>
“Mae,” Frederick cut her off. His dark eyes flickered, and he gave a slight, awkward cough.
“Zoe isn’t feeling well. I need to go check on her p>
Maeve’s fingers slowly tightened around the expensive fabric, but her expression remained completely impassive.
“Oh. Alright p>
Frederick felt a flash of unease at her calm reaction, but he hurried out anyway.
Before stepping through the door, he threw a quick order to the manager.
“Put whatever my wife chooses on my tab and have it delivered directly to the house p>
The manager bowed respectfully. “Right away, Mr. Fairchild p>
Maeve stood in silence, watching his retreating back. Any desire to try on dresses was completely dead. She looked at the manager and gestured to the gown in her hand.
“Just this one p>
The manager scrambled over to take it.
“Of course, Mrs. Fairchild p>
Maeve took a cab back to Wisteria Cove alone.
Once inside the guest room, she pulled out her phone to text Jonathan about the camera.
Instead, she was greeted by an unread message from Yvette.
[Mae! Check this out! Frederick isn’t so bad after all. Looks like he finally figured out how to spoil you p>