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, “Mr. Reyes, what exactly are you hoping to uncover?”

Chase’s frown deepened, his inner turmoil evident. He wanted answers about Amanda’s child and Nicole’s actions, but feared the truth. The more he learned of Nicole’s flaws, the more he realized his own past mistakes and embarrassing involvement. With no other options, he finally said, “And also, arrange my trip abroad as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir. It’s quite late. You should get some rest.”

Chase’s 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. Nicole’s 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 strange—this room, once theirs, now filled with Nicole. After finishing his cigarette, he didn’t wash up. Instead, he gathered Nicole’s 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 Nicole’s clothes—spring 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 Nicole’s 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: “Amanda…”

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: “Clear everything out of there.”

Mark hesitated, knowing the suite’s history. “But those are Ms. Nicole’s things. She’ll be upset when she finds them gone.”

Everyone knew Nicole’s 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? Mark’s cautious question fueled Chase’s anger. “Bang!” He slammed his coffee cup down. “She’s my sister, not my wife. Does her stuff belong in my bedroom?”

“Of course not, of course not,” Mark stammered, quickly mopping up the spilled coffee.

I felt a pang of sympathy for him. This was all Chase’s doing. Without his permission, Nicole would not have dared to take such liberties. Now, he blamed others—what 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 Nicole’s belongings. Everything was there, from toiletries to clothes. He double-checked, “Mr. Reyes, should I dispose of everything?”

“All of it!” Chase gritted out.

“Alright.”

“Wait, after you clear this out, put my wife’s things back.”

Mark hesitated. “But, Mr. Reyes…”

“What now?”

“Ms. Nicole broke your and your wife’s framed photo. I thought of keeping it, but she told me not to bother, so I threw it away. As for your wife’s clothes, Ms. Nicole deemed them outdated and had me discard them too.”

Chase exploded. “How dare she!”