Chapter 75
Mark was caught off guard. After all, Chase had been so attentive to Nicole for the past couple of years. He leaned in, asking, โMr. Reyes, what exactly are you hoping to uncover?โ
Chaseโs frown deepened, his inner turmoil evident. He wanted answers about Amandaโs child and Nicoleโs actions, but feared the truth. The more he learned of Nicoleโs flaws, the more he realized his own past mistakes and embarrassing involvement. With no other options, he finally said, โAnd also, arrange my trip abroad as soon as possible.โ
โYes, sir. Itโs quite late. You should get some rest.โ
Chaseโs flight was scheduled for the following afternoon, leaving a mountain of unfinished tasks. Instead of going home, he went to his suite to sleep.
It had been a long time since his last visit, and the place was drastically changed. Photos of Chase and Nicole replaced those of him and his wife. Nicoleโs favorite bedding adorned the bed, and her belongings cluttered the shelves. Despite his exhaustion, Chase was struck by how thoroughly the room reflected Nicole's presence.
He sat on the bed, removed his tie, and lit a cigarette. Exhausted but unwavering, his gaze fixed on a bedside photo. What did that make him? Perhaps he, too, found it strangeโthis room, once theirs, now filled with Nicole. After finishing his cigarette, he didnโt wash up. Instead, he gathered Nicoleโs belongings into a bag, as if to erase her from his life.
Opening the closet to store the bag, he was stunned. Half the closet overflowed with Nicoleโs clothesโspring and winter outfits, even pajamas and robes.
Chase laughed bitterly, then erupted in frustration, yanking clothes from the closet and throwing them on the floor. Nicole had permeated every aspect of his life. He could remove the clothes, but not the memories.
In a huff, Chase left the mess and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door.
I crouched on the floor, staring at the discarded bag. The top photo frame had fallen out, its glass cracked between Chase and Nicoleโs images. I felt no solace, knowing my own photos had likely met a similar fate. Perhaps one day he would see Nicole for who she truly was, but what difference would it make? I could never forgive them, and the past was irreversible.
Too tired to clean up, Chase stepped over the mess, lay down, and turned off the light. His elbow obscured his face, but I saw his shoulders tremble slightly as his voice broke the silence: โAmandaโฆโ
By the window, I gazed at the bustling city. Even at 3 AM, traffic flowed, and skyscrapers blazed with light. How many others lay awake, troubled by their thoughts? How many more peaceful nights could my family have? I would be watching.
Chase slept only a few hours before dawn. He reached for light clothing in his wardrobe but chose a dark suit instead. He stepped out with determination, his first call to his assistant: โClear everything out of there.โ
Mark hesitated, knowing the suiteโs history. โBut those are Ms. Nicoleโs things. Sheโll be upset when she finds them gone.โ
Everyone knew Nicoleโs importance to Chase, especially given her heart condition. During her visits, people treated her with extreme deference. If she suffered a heart episode, who would bear the responsibility? Markโs cautious question fueled Chaseโs anger. โBang!โ He slammed his coffee cup down. โSheโs my sister, not my wife. Does her stuff belong in my bedroom?โ
โOf course not, of course not,โ Mark stammered, quickly mopping up the spilled coffee.
I felt a pang of sympathy for him. This was all Chaseโs doing. Without his permission, Nicole would not have dared to take such liberties. Now, he blamed othersโwhat nerve!
Chapter 75 (continued)
Mark, for the sake of his job, remained silent. After cleaning up, he went to the suite and found a pile of Nicoleโs belongings. Everything was there, from toiletries to clothes. He double-checked, โMr. Reyes, should I dispose of everything?โ
โAll of it!โ Chase gritted out.
โAlright.โ
โWait, after you clear this out, put my wifeโs things back.โ
Mark hesitated. โBut, Mr. Reyesโฆโ
โWhat now?โ
โMs. Nicole broke your and your wifeโs framed photo. I thought of keeping it, but she told me not to bother, so I threw it away. As for your wifeโs clothes, Ms. Nicole deemed them outdated and had me discard them too.โ
Chase exploded. โHow dare she!โ