Chapter 66
Frederick closed his eyes, assuming his mind was playing tricks on him.
But when he opened them, Maeve was still standing there, perfectly still beside her packed suitcase.
There were only a few steps between them.
Yet it felt as though an invisible wall of fog had descended between them.
The Maeve in the fog was ethereal, fading.
Making it impossible for him to catch her, to see her clearly.
It felt as if a massive boulder had suddenly dropped onto Frederick’s chest, suffocating him with an unbearable pressure.
He strode forward, closing the distance in three quick steps, and pulled Maeve fiercely into his arms.
Sensing what her intentions might be, he didn’t even ask questions. He merely crushed her tightly against his chest.
Maeve didn’t struggle. Her arms hung limply at her sides, her eyes as tranquil as a pool of dead water.
To Frederick, her lack of resistance meant the crisis had passed.
The suffocating weight in his chest loosened slightly. Regaining control of his facial expressions, a small curve graced his lips as he looked down at her.
Maeve raised her eyes to meet his. Her clear, translucent gaze reflected nothing but utter desolation.
“Are you done hugging me? Can we talk now?” she asked softly.
Frederick’s smile froze. His Adam’s apple bobbed heavily, his throat suddenly bone-dry.
“Talk about what p>
Maeve pushed him away, retrieved the divorce papers from the drawer, and handed them to him.
“Sign them p>
Frederick didn’t take them. His feet subconsciously stepped backward.
Realizing he was trying to retreat, Maeve rushed forward to slam the door shut. Pressing her back against it, she stared straight at him.
“Frederick, running away won’t solve anything. Today, right here, we are going to settle this divorce p>
Seeing her absolute conviction, Frederick’s gaze narrowed. His predatory eyes locked onto her, a silent, creeping chill spreading through the room, though his tone remained effortlessly light.
“Mae, don’t be unreasonable p>
Maeve’s breathing hitched. Hearing him tell her she was being ‘unreasonable’ triggered an immediate, visceral reaction, pushing her precarious sanity to the brink of collapse.
Her nails dug ruthlessly into her palms. She took deep, shuddering breaths, forcing herself to remain lucid.
“I’m not being unreasonable, Frederick. I have been entirely serious from the very beginning p>
She glared at him, her red-rimmed eyes blazing with stubborn defiance.
“I want a divorce. I am going back to my own home p>
Frederick’s head snapped toward her, his chest heaving violently.
“Back to where p>
Maeve doubled down. “Back to Silveridge p>
Frederick lunged at her, his hands clamping down on her arms like iron vices.
“Say that one more time. Where are you going p>
Maeve’s face paled from the pain, but she fought against his grip with every ounce of strength she possessed.
“I said I’m going back to Silveridge p>
Bang p>
Her body was violently shoved against the door. A sharp jolt of pain shot up her spine, and she let out a muffled groan just as a broad palm slipped behind the back of her head to cushion the impact. She looked up Frederick’s dark. oppressive gaze bored down into her, his heavy jagged breaths fanning across her cheeks.
“Maeve, this is your home p>
As if that weren’t enough, he gritted his teeth and emphasized, “Our home p>
“Our home?” Maeve let out a harsh laugh, as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
She looked at Frederick with pure revulsion.
“Frederick, how long has it been since you actually spent time with me? How long since we sat down. and had a proper meal together?” How long since we had a calm normal conversation? Can you even count p>
Frederick parted his lips to explain, but Maeve shoved him back fiercely, sneering.
“Don’t speak. I’ll say it for you p>
“You can’t remember. You can’t remember how many times you abandoned me for Zoe, or how many times your family humiliated me because of her. You’ve forgotten it all! The only thing in your head is your precious Zoe If she feels wronged, if she’s a little hot or cold, the second she experiences the slightest inconvenience, you panic more than anyone else and run to her faster than anyone else p>
“You treat this place like a hotel. You come and go as you please. You won’t even listen to a complete sentence from me. You’ve been completely blind to every single need I have as your wife p>
The more she spoke, the tighter her throat felt, but she kept her chin tipped up, brutally forcing her tears back.
Her tears were precious. They should only fall for someone who actually cared; otherwise, it was just a waste of emotion.
Taking two seconds to compose herself, she looked back at Frederick, her sarcasm deepening.