When Nelson walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around him, he saw the woman already sitting at the corner of the bed. He was momentarily surprised. “Why don’t you sleep a bit more?”
Callie hugged her knees and looked at him. “I couldn’t sleep. You’ve been busy all night.”
When she asked this question, there was a hint of expectation in her eyes. She genuinely hoped he would tell her the truth.
Nelson lowered his gaze slightly and used a towel to dry his hair. “The matter was a bit tricky, so it took longer to handle.”
As he answered, he avoided her gaze.
Callie’s heart sank, but she didn’t show any expression. “A matter that needs to be handled on New Year’s Eve must indeed be tricky.”
Nelson didn’t seem to notice the oddity in her words. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something. “When I returned to the old mansion this morning, the elders said you went out last night and didn’t come back. Is that true?”
It was a very calm inquiry. Callie tried to detect any concern in his voice, but unfortunately, she couldn’t hear any.
“There was a draft that needed to be revised.”
Maybe he was too tired to pay attention to these things.
“It’s too late, and it’s not safe outside. Try not to do that again.” Nelson frowned slightly as he put down the towel.
“Okay.” Callie stepped forward, not mentioning that he hadn’t come home all night.
Nelson hugged her from behind, savoring a moment of warmth. “You called me twice yesterday. What happened?”
He had called back this morning, but no one answered. It wasn’t until he called Paucaster Villa that he found out she had returned.
He seemed very tired. Callie could feel the heaviness in his calm tone.
“I wanted to ask when you’d be back. I didn’t expect you wouldn’t answer.” Callie forced a smile to cover it up.
“… I was busy.”
Nelson held her tighter. To Callie, it felt more like guilt…
She remembered what Jaquan had said.
He said it seemed there wasn’t much trust between them.
Nelson needed to catch up on sleep. As he lay on the bed, he held her waist, not letting her go. “Stay with me.”
This dependence moved Callie’s compassion. She took a deep breath and tentatively asked, “Nelson, we are husband and wife. If I’m honest with you, will you be honest with me?”
The man’s hot breath on her neck paused noticeably before he quickly replied, “Of course.”
“Then don’t lie to me, okay?”
Nelson sensed something was wrong and opened his bloodshot eyes to face her. “Why are you suddenly saying this?”
He was so natural that Callie almost sighed in relief, doubting the truth of Jaquan’s words.
She shook her head. “… It’s nothing. It’s just the first day of the new year, hoping for a fresh start.”
Nelson then held her even tighter.
They slept until the afternoon. When Callie woke up, there was no one beside her.
She ran out of the master bedroom barefoot and looked downstairs. She saw Nelson standing at the entrance, about to leave. He heard the noise and looked up, frowning immediately. “Put on your shoes.”
Callie didn’t move. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to pick up your father. Did you forget?” He teased.
She really had forgotten. Callie nodded. “Then when you come back, can you bring me some desserts from Green Garden? I want their strawberry mille-feuille.”
Nelson smiled and tightened his grip on the car keys. “Sure, put on your shoes.”
After he left and she heard the engine outside, Callie walked back inside, thinking about how both the old mansion and Paucaster Villa had drivers. Was Nelson being so thoughtful as to personally pick up Reuben?
She shook her head, At this realization thought was inappropriate, but that bit of doubt couldn’t help but take root.
The more she thought about it, the more it didn’t seem right. In the end, she couldn’t hold back. After Nelson drove away, she immediately ran out of Paucaster Villa and hailed a cab. “Driver, follow that Porsche in front.”