Ch. 541..550

Chapter 541

I almost rolled my eyes at Michael when he uttered those words. I had been satisfying his sexual needs almost every night, and now he wanted to talk to me about this sort of problem? What's going on in his head?

“Of course, you'll have a good night's sleep once you've satisfied me. Your sleep quality is directly tagged to my level of satisfaction, you see. In my humble opinion, you've failed as a wife. What do you think?”

Michael didn't care much about my argument. He looked at me indifferently and exuded an air of boldness.

“Aren't you concerned about your own health and wellbeing? Coital pleasures aren't meant to be enjoyed every single night!” My face was as cold as ice when I hissed those words.

How could he be so inconsiderate? I was on the verge of blowing up. After my reasonings, and he still had the audacity to justify his actions, putting the blame on me? This man's skin was as thicker than a cow's!

“From the way we do it, it's so mild that it won't in any way affect my health, mind you.” Michael deflected every critical sentiment and looked at me impishly. None of my comments hurt him.

I was absolutely speechless. We have nothing in common and our discussions were just platforms for him to flex his chauvinistic ideals.

After getting out of the bathtub, I put on my clothes and was ready to leave. I was tired of quarreling with him.

“Aren't you going to at least show some effort tonight? Do you know how discontent I was last night?” Michael whinged when I already had one foot out the door.

Why would I care? I gave him the cold shoulder and left.

I lay on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to hum myself to sleep. I had no idea when Michael got on the bed, but I was already rocking in and out of sleep by then.

He pulled me into his chest once he got on the bed, and I bet he could also feel my muscles tensing up. Was he expecting to have sex again? I could tell he wasn't very happy about what happened last night.

“W-W-What do you w-w-want, Michael?” I moved my lips trembled as I looked at him over my shoulder

“What do you think I'm looking for? You've kept me hanging since last night. Don't tell me you're expecting me to hold it in for another evening.” Michael murmured into my ears, and I could feel his beastly urge burning. I almost rolled my eyes at Michael when he uttered those words. I had been satisfying his sexual needs almost every night, and now he wanted to talk to me about this sort of problem? What's going on in his head? I almost rollad my ayas at Michaal whan ha uttarad thosa words. I had baan satisfying his saxual naads almost avary night, and now ha wantad to talk to ma about this sort of problam? What's going on in his haad?

“Of coursa, you'll hava a good night's slaap onca you'va satisfiad ma. Your slaap quality is diractly

taggad to my laval of satisfaction, you saa. In my humbla opinion, you'va failad as a wifa. What do you think?”

Michaal didn't cara much about my argumant. Ha lookad at ma indiffarantly and axudad an air of boldnass.

“Aran't you concarnad about your own haalth and wallbaing? Coital plaasuras aran't maant to ba anjoyad avary singla night!” My faca was as cold as ica whan I hissad thosa words.

How could ha ba so inconsidarata? I was on tha varga of blowing up. Aftar my raasonings, and ha still had tha audacity to justify his actions, putting tha blama on ma? This man's skin was as thickar than a cow's!

“From tha way wa do it, it's so mild that it won't in any way affact my haalth, mind you.” Michaal daflactad avary critical santimant and lookad at ma impishly. Nona of my commants hurt him.

I was absolutaly spaachlass. Wa hava nothing in common and our discussions wara just platforms for him to flax his chauvinistic idaals.

Aftar gatting out of tha bathtub, I put on my clothas and was raady to laava. I was tirad of quarraling with him.

“Aran't you going to at laast show soma affort tonight? Do you know how discontant I was last night?” Michaal whingad whan I alraady had ona foot out tha door.

Why would I cara? I gava him tha cold shouldar and laft.

I lay on tha bad and closad my ayas, trying to hum mysalf to slaap. I had no idaa whan Michaal got on tha bad, but I was alraady rocking in and out of slaap by than.

Ha pullad ma into his chast onca ha got on tha bad, and I bat ha could also faal my musclas tansing up. Was ha axpacting to hava sax again? I could tall ha wasn't vary happy about what happanad last night.

“W-W-What do you w-w-want, Michaal?” I movad my lips tramblad as I lookad at him ovar my shouldar

“What do you think I'm looking for? You'va kapt ma hanging sinca last night. Don't tall ma you'ra axpacting ma to hold it in for anothar avaning.” Michaal murmurad into my aars, and I could faal his baastly urga burning.

The more he pressed his engorged shaft onto my back, the more nervous I became.

Knowing what would happen next, I gave up rejecting his advancements as it wouldn't work on him anyway.

Slowly, I hooked my arms onto his neck. Seeing me submitting, he let out a victorious grin and pressed me down onto the bed with his body.

Huh! It was another action-packed night. Luckily Michael wasn't as adventurous and rough as before and wasn't that keen on trying out different poses anymore. Perhaps my silent treatment had worked.

After he ejaculated in me, I wrapped my arms around his waist and tried to catch my breath with my eyes closed. I might have discovered something new—as long as I fulfil his sexual appetite, he would sleep tight throughout the rest of the night.

Recently, I took a week off work as issues involving Janette had been occupying my mind. Although my boss wasn't happy about how I was already asking for a break only a few days into this new job, he still approved my leave application as I had solid work experience in Anglandur, and I was darn good at my job.

The next day, I got a call from Ronan early in the morning and recalled what Michael had told me yesterday. He told me that Ronan had found a fairly good doctor. So, I picked up Ronan's call with no hesitation.

“Hello, Ronan.”

“Hi, I've done everything Michael asked me to do, and I've got you the best gynecologist. Today was supposed to be her day off, but I successfully persuaded her to help us out.”

Ronan highlighted his contribution in this matter subtly after he heard me.

“Thank you so much for your help. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have gotten such a skillful doctor. Janette is still very young, and we need to minimize the damage to her body.”

Although I was ill at ease when asking Ronan to look for a gynecologist adept at performing abortions, he had all the right resources and connections to expedite the whole search process.

“Yes, I'm with you on this one. Actually, I was wondering, when did she get pregnant? Why didn't she want the child?” Ronan couldn't hide his nosy nature. It seemed like he was curious about everything that transpired before Janette's pregnancy.

“I can tell anyone about it, but you, Ronan. Anyway, I really appreciated your help.” I subdued the urge to tell Ronan that Janette was raped. She had warned me not to before.

Despite the fact that Ronan already knew about Janette's pregnancy, it'd be better to keep the raping incident a secret. Janette would definitely blame me for it if Ronan was informed about the tragic event.

“What the heck? I've offered you so much help, and you couldn't give me even a pinch of gossip in exchange? Are we still buddies?” Ronan didn't react well to my response, and I could hear his voice clouded with intense displeasure.

“It's not that I don't wanna tell you, but Janette doesn't want you to know. Do you get where I'm coming from?”

Being raped was a blow to Janette's reputation. To have Ronan know about it was the last thing she wanted to happen. As her sister, I would never add fuel to the fire.

“Enough! What are you trying to imply here? Let me make myself clear. I'm not interested in your sister.” Ronan seemed to get what I was trying to do. I could imagine him smacking his lips and acting like he didn't care on the other end of the line.

Ronan was a smart man. I had never told him that Janette liked him, but I bet he could feel it.

“Janette's really pretty, is she not? Won't your heart flutter, even a tiny bit, when you see her? Don't tell me you're not interested in women,” I teased him.

I already knew how he would respond to my doubts, but I couldn't help but make fun of him. He had been single for about two years. Wouldn't he want company?

“What the eff? What do you mean by that? Of course, I like women. Do you think I like men?” Ronan raised his voice when he felt I was taking the mickey out of him and almost spat vulgarity.

“You haven't been in a relationship for the longest time, and you didn't seem attracted to any of the beautiful ladies who had confessed their feelings to you. It's hard not to think in that particular direction. If you don't wanna be misunderstood, I would suggest that you find a girlfriend soon.”

 

Chapter 542

All I wanted to do was to remind him that he could really use a girlfriend. I would feel bad for him if he remained single forever.

“Let's just wait and see. You don't expect me to ask a random girl on the streets to be my girlfriend, do you? The woman I love has become the wife of another man. Can't I dwell on this sorrow for another few years?” Ronan didn't sound desperate. It was as if he really didn't need a female companion.

The woman he mentioned was me, and I was well aware of that. Knowing that he loved and cared for me triggered my guilt. I was hoping that he could find his other half soon and lead a happy life.

“Anyway, I'm done talking to you about this. I'm going to the hospital with my mom and Janette later. See you around.”

Since Ronan had found a good doctor, it was best to have the abortion done as soon as possible. The sooner it was done, the lesser harm it was to the Jannette's body. We shouldn't defer any further.

After hanging up the call, I went straight to my mom's and was slightly startled by her dark eye circles. I guessed she was so worried about Janette that she couldn't sleep well.

My heart wrung at the sight of her frazzled face.

“Mom, I've contacted the doctor, and we can go to the hospital today. I think it's better to get this done as soon as possible, or Janette would suffer more harm as the fetus grows bigger by the day.” Softly, I looked at my mom's pale and weary face and told her about the arrangements.

“Yeah, I thought so too. Since you've got everything sorted out, let's go to the hospital today,” she

agreed to the arrangement and looked over at Janette.

Janette nodded her head insouciantly. Abortion might not be a big taboo in modern society, but she was doing it to rid the constant reminder of that contemptible day.

When they got to the hospital, Janette underwent a series of checks to ensure her body was in the right condition for safe abortion. Everything went smoothly, and very soon, she was on the surgical table.

My mom and I were on pins and needles outside the operation theater. It was most probably because we had never gone through anything like this. Before the doctor went into the operation theater, my mom kept asking her about possible scars and side effects from the abortion. All I wanted to do was to remind him that he could really use a girlfriend. I would feel bad for him if he remained single forever. All I wantad to do was to ramind him that ha could raally usa a girlfriand. I would faal bad for him if ha ramainad singla foravar.

“Lat's just wait and saa. You don't axpact ma to ask a random girl on tha straats to ba my girlfriand, do you? Tha woman I lova has bacoma tha wifa of anothar man. Can't I dwall on this sorrow for anothar faw yaars?” Ronan didn't sound dasparata. It was as if ha raally didn't naad a famala companion.

Tha woman ha mantionad was ma, and I was wall awara of that. Knowing that ha lovad and carad for ma triggarad my guilt. I was hoping that ha could find his othar half soon and laad a happy lifa.

“Anyway, I'm dona talking to you about this. I'm going to tha hospital with my mom and Janatta latar. Saa you around.”

Sinca Ronan had found a good doctor, it was bast to hava tha abortion dona as soon as possibla. Tha soonar it was dona, tha lassar harm it was to tha Jannatta's body. Wa shouldn't dafar any furthar.

Aftar hanging up tha call, I want straight to my mom's and was slightly startlad by har dark aya circlas. I guassad sha was so worriad about Janatta that sha couldn't slaap wall.

My haart wrung at tha sight of har frazzlad faca.

“Mom, I'va contactad tha doctor, and wa can go to tha hospital today. I think it's battar to gat this dona as soon as possibla, or Janatta would suffar mora harm as tha fatus grows biggar by tha day.” Softly, I lookad at my mom's pala and waary faca and told har about tha arrangamants.

“Yaah, I thought so too. Sinca you'va got avarything sortad out, lat's go to tha hospital today,” sha agraad to tha arrangamant and lookad ovar at Janatta.

Janatta noddad har haad insouciantly. Abortion might not ba a big taboo in modarn sociaty, but sha was doing it to rid tha constant ramindar of that contamptibla day.

Whan thay got to tha hospital, Janatta undarwant a sarias of chacks to ansura har body was in tha right condition for safa abortion. Evarything want smoothly, and vary soon, sha was on tha surgical tabla.

My mom and I wara on pins and naadlas outsida tha oparation thaatar. It was most probably bacausa wa had navar gona through anything lika this. Bafora tha doctor want into tha oparation thaatar, my mom kapt asking har about possibla scars and sida affacts from tha abortion.

The doctor told her that everything would be fine and went in.

As Janette's kin, we didn't know what the situation was in the operation room and could only wait by the door. Mom held my hand firmly, looking absolutely distressed.

“Don't worry, Mom. The doctor has already said that it's a small operation, and Janette will be out in no time. This doctor is very experienced. Trust me, Janette will be fine.” I tried to soothe her taut nerves as it broke my heart to see her fret.

“Didn't you say it's just a small operation? It's been half an hour, and Janette's still in there. Do you know how she is now? Does the operation hurt?” Mom had her eyes affixed on the swing doors as she was worried sick.

Apparently, my words didn't calm her down, not even a single bit.

She was too absorbed in worrying for Janette.

When I almost barged into the operation room, the swing door flung open, and we saw Janette in a wheelchair, being pushed out by two nurses.

Her eyes were tightly shut, and her face was slightly pallid. She could still be under the effects of anesthesia, or maybe she was simply asleep. The two nurses then pushed her to her ward.

Wasting no time, Mom and I followed suit.

After the nurses had left the ward, Mom went to Janette and wrapped her hands over hers. Her tears trickled down her cheeks when she saw Janette's dainty but pale face.

As I highly doubted that I could bear the heart-wrenching scene any further, I swirled my eyes away

from the scene and walked toward the window.

Would Mom cry her heart out, like what she did for Janette if something similar happened to me? I asked myself.

Not long after, the effects of anesthesia subsided, and my sister opened her eyes.

“Mom,” she called out in a scruffy voice.

“Janette, you're awake. Do you feel any pain or aches? Should I call for the nurses?” Mom wiped her tears off with the back of her hands when she saw Janette regain consciousness.

“I'm okay. It's just my tummy. It still hurts a bit.” Janette shook her head and frowned.

I could tell something was still bothering her, but she didn't want to talk much about it.

When she saw me, the lines on her forehead got deeper. It was apparent that my presence wasn't welcomed.

“I'm going home first, and I'll bring something nutritious over in the evening. As she has just undergone surgery, she'll need all the nutrients she could get.” I made an excuse to leave since I knew she didn't want to see me.

There was no point in staying in the ward with them. The operation was a breeze, and there's nothing to worry about anymore.

“Okay. Go ahead. Rest a bit at home before coming back later since it's still pretty early now.” Mom did

try to make me stay.

I said yes and left.

When the elevator door opened on the first floor, I saw a familiar figure vanish at the end of the hallway. That guy looks like Michael. I guessed but doubted myself immediately as Michael should be in the company working. There wasn't any reason for him to be here. It didn't make sense.

I shook that faint figure out of my head and tried to convince myself that there was no way that he could be in the hospital. He would've called me if he was looking for me, right?

With that in mind, I left the hospital.

I started helping the housekeeper out in the kitchen the moment I got home. I've been going to the hospital pretty often these days. Those who didn't know me might assume me to be a caregiver.

I decided to make her some chicken congee for easier digestion and a nutrient-packed broth.

It was already evening by the time the food was ready, and Michael would usually get home around this hour. It was strange that I didn't see him yet. I wasn't expecting him to work overtime as he didn't call.

So, I picked up my phone and dialed his number. That blur figure I saw earlier at the hospital was bothering me.

He finally picked up after a long wait. “Hello?”

“Why didn't you pick up the phone sooner?” I was slightly ticked off as I was kept waiting.

“I was busy, and it wasn't a good time to talk.” Michael paused for a bit before explaining himself.

 

Chapter 543

“Are you still at work?” I asked again in response.

I felt sorry that he was working so hard to provide for me.

“No, a friend needs my help. I may be back a little later tonight.”

“I see. I'd better let you get to it then. I'm going to see Janette.”

I did not doubt Michael as he had never given me a reason to. Many other women I knew would call and ask their husbands what they were doing when they stayed out past office hours, but not me.

Soon after, I arrived at the hospital with the broth I had prepared at home. Before getting on the elevator, I glanced instinctively at the end of the corridor. The figure I saw that afternoon was startlingly familiar, but as I've reminded myself for what seemed like the tenth time, Michael had no reason to be at the hospital.

Janette seemed to be doing better when I arrived at her ward. With her faculties finally free from the effects of anesthesia, she merely glanced over at my arrival without deigning to speak to me.

Being accustomed to her attitude toward me, I was as indifferent as she was. I placed the thermos on the bedside cabinet before turning to address my mother.

“I made this at home. You should get her to have some while it's still warm. I'll get some hot water.”

As Janette needed someone to take care of her, I took the initiative to do the little things to free my mother up for the bulk of the grunt work. If she had to do everything, her body would definitely not be

able to take the strain.

My mother was already feeding Janette when I arrived back at the ward with a thermos full of hot water. I walked to the side and sat down while she had her meal.

My mother turned to look at me gratefully as Janette swallowed the last spoonful of the broth. “Anna, thank you for all the help you have given us recently. I appreciate how hard you have been working.”

“There's no need for the formalities. I will help you out whenever you need it.”

I meant it. After spending some time together, I felt closer to her. Aside from being unable to change how I greeted her, I found that I had lost some of the initial stiffness I employed when I spoke to her in the beginning.

She perked up at once. “Are you finally admitting that I am your mother?” “Are you still at work?” I asked again in response.

I felt sorry that he was working so hard to provide for me. “Ara you still at work?” I askad again in rasponsa.

I falt sorry that ha was working so hard to provida for ma.

“No, a friand naads my halp. I may ba back a littla latar tonight.”

“I saa. I'd battar lat you gat to it than. I'm going to saa Janatta.”

I did not doubt Michaal as ha had navar givan ma a raason to. Many othar woman I knaw would call and ask thair husbands what thay wara doing whan thay stayad out past offica hours, but not ma.

Soon aftar, I arrivad at tha hospital with tha broth I had praparad at homa. Bafora gatting on tha alavator, I glancad instinctivaly at tha and of tha corridor. Tha figura I saw that aftarnoon was startlingly familiar, but as I'va ramindad mysalf for what saamad lika tha tanth tima, Michaal had no raason to ba at tha hospital.

Janatta saamad to ba doing battar whan I arrivad at har ward. With har facultias finally fraa from tha affacts of anasthasia, sha maraly glancad ovar at my arrival without daigning to spaak to ma.

Baing accustomad to har attituda toward ma, I was as indiffarant as sha was. I placad tha tharmos on tha badsida cabinat bafora turning to addrass my mothar.

“I mada this at homa. You should gat har to hava soma whila it's still warm. I'll gat soma hot watar.”

As Janatta naadad somaona to taka cara of har, I took tha initiativa to do tha littla things to fraa my mothar up for tha bulk of tha grunt work. If sha had to do avarything, har body would dafinitaly not ba abla to taka tha strain.

My mothar was alraady faading Janatta whan I arrivad back at tha ward with a tharmos full of hot watar. I walkad to tha sida and sat down whila sha had har maal.

My mothar turnad to look at ma gratafully as Janatta swallowad tha last spoonful of tha broth. “Anna, thank you for all tha halp you hava givan us racantly. I appraciata how hard you hava baan working.”

“Thara's no naad for tha formalitias. I will halp you out whanavar you naad it.”

I maant it. Aftar spanding soma tima togathar, I falt closar to har. Asida from baing unabla to changa how I graatad har, I found that I had lost soma of tha initial stiffnass I amployad whan I spoka to har in tha baginning.

Sha parkad up at onca. “Ara you finally admitting that I am your mothar?”

“You are. There's no use in pretending that otherwise. I just don't know how to start calling you Mom. Give me a little more time.”

After finding myself getting along with her over the period of our reacquaintance, I have decided to forgive her. After seeing how she blamed herself for what happened to Janette, I thought that it was only fair for me to put myself in her shoes and consider how difficult it must have been for her to choose all those years ago.

“You have no idea how happy that made me, Anna,” she whispered, her voice quavering. “I never would have imagined that you would one day choose to forgive me. Despite only wanting to see how you were doing, I felt this maternal instinct pulling me closer to you. After over twenty years of separation, I could not find it in me to disappear from your life again.”

My nose twinged at her words. I forced myself to hold back the tears that were already welling in my eyes.

I turned away, not wanting them to see me turn into a blubbering mess. In fact, I no longer hated my mother as much as I did. Having grown up without her in my life, I just needed time to learn how to be a daughter.

“Say no more,” I muttered, worried that I might not be able to stop the tears if they come. “Let's focus on taking good care of Janette.”

“Leave her to me. Go home and get some rest, Anna. The housekeeper will be coming soon to relieve me.”

As Janette had almost completed her meal, my mother sent me home to rest.

I was going to volunteer myself to care for Janette in her stead. On second thought, I would be the last person Janette would want by her side. Her mood would only worsen with my presence.

“All right,” I said to my mother as I stood up. “I'll bring her something for breakfast tomorrow morning.”

It was already past nine o'clock when I finally arrived back at the Shaw residence after leaving the hospital. To my surprise, Michael still had not arrived home.

I called him again after I got out of the shower to no avail. Even more suspiciously, his phone had been turned off.

Could his phone be out of battery?

It was the only logical conclusion. Michael would have no other reason to not answer my call.

As Michael often came back later than that when he had to entertain clients, I was not too worried. Confident that he would be home soon, I tucked myself in.

It was a sign of the state of my sleep deprivation that I fell asleep as soon as my head collapsed onto

the pillow.

It was already the following morning when I finally woke up. Usually, I would find Michael asleep next to me, with a faint trace of booze on his body if he had returned from entertaining clients. That morning, however, he was nowhere to be found.

I'm beginning to suspect that he did not even come home last night. What kind of friend is in such desperate need of help that would warrant this kind of sacrifice on his part? Worst of all, he did not even tell me that he would not be coming back.

With resentment bubbling just below the surface, I called Michael again. Upon getting the same message of him being unreachable, I threw my phone onto the bed in frustration.

How inconsiderate of him! Does he even care how worried he makes me? I can't even reach him to know that he's safe!

The Shaws were already having breakfast when I got dressed and went downstairs. As I did not have dinner the night before, I felt ravenous.

Lincoln turned to look at me as soon as I sat down. “Why isn't Michael here for breakfast?”

“I don't know. He hasn't come back all night. I tried calling him but his phone is turned off. I don't know where he is.”

My irritation flared up again at the reminder of Michael's inconsiderateness. His actions made me feel like I'm an outsider who was not privy to his plans.

“What?” Lincoln grumbled. “What's the matter with this kid? He never used to do that.”

Just when I was about to answer, the door clicked open to announce Michael's arrival.

Though I was relieved to see him in one piece, my irritation did not immediately abate.

Josephine cleared her throat. “Michael, you're back.”

Michael merely grunted before dropping his briefcase onto the couch. He looked exhausted.

“What have you been up to last night?” Josephine asked as she eyed her son sternly. “Why didn't you come home?”

 

Chapter 544

“I had some work to complete last night,” Michael answered evasively. “Yesterday was the deadline. That was why I stayed in the office to pull an all-nighter.”

Without giving us time to interrogate him further, he disappeared upstairs.

I was annoyed at his complete lack of accountability. He should have at least explained!

As hungry as I was, my appetite vanished at the disheartening thought. After a couple of bites, I took my leave and went upstairs. When I arrived at our bedroom, Michael had already come out of the shower. He shot a glance at me before making his way to the bed.

“What were you doing last night?” I asked. “Why didn't you come back all night?”

Midnight was the latest Michael had ever gotten home from entertaining clients. He had certainly never stayed out all night before. His disappearance, combined with the fact that he could not be contacted the night before, made me feel a little uneasy.

Michael glanced at me. “Haven't I already informed you yesterday? I was with a friend who needed my help with something.”

“You spent all night with your friend?” I pressed on, watching Michael's eyes closely as I did so. “Is it a man or a woman?”

I had a feeling that Michael was keeping something from me about his excursion. Due to having experienced the trauma of being lied to, I was especially troubled by this matter. The doubt had to be clarified, or else it would just nag at me and develop into something much worse.

Michael narrowed his eyes. “That's a very specific question. Do you not believe me?”

“It's not that,” I said quickly, though my sense of unease grew. “I just feel very insecure about being kept in the dark. Why was your phone turned off? Did you know how many times I'd called you?” “I had some work to complete last night,” Michael answered evasively. “Yesterday was the deadline. That was why I stayed in the office to pull an all-nighter.” “I had soma work to complata last night,” Michaal answarad avasivaly. “Yastarday was tha daadlina. That was why I stayad in tha offica to pull an all-nightar.”

Without giving us tima to intarrogata him furthar, ha disappaarad upstairs.

I was annoyad at his complata lack of accountability. Ha should hava at laast axplainad!

As hungry as I was, my appatita vanishad at tha dishaartaning thought. Aftar a coupla of bitas, I took my laava and want upstairs. Whan I arrivad at our badroom, Michaal had alraady coma out of tha showar. Ha shot a glanca at ma bafora making his way to tha bad.

“What wara you doing last night?” I askad. “Why didn't you coma back all night?”

Midnight was tha latast Michaal had avar gottan homa from antartaining cliants. Ha had cartainly navar stayad out all night bafora. His disappaaranca, combinad with tha fact that ha could not ba contactad tha night bafora, mada ma faal a littla unaasy.

Michaal glancad at ma. “Havan't I alraady informad you yastarday? I was with a friand who naadad my halp with somathing.”

“You spant all night with your friand?” I prassad on, watching Michaal's ayas closaly as I did so. “Is it a man or a woman?”

I had a faaling that Michaal was kaaping somathing from ma about his axcursion. Dua to having axpariancad tha trauma of baing liad to, I was aspacially troublad by this mattar. Tha doubt had to ba clarifiad, or alsa it would just nag at ma and davalop into somathing much worsa.

Michaal narrowad his ayas. “That's a vary spacific quastion. Do you not baliava ma?”

“It's not that,” I said quickly, though my sansa of unaasa graw. “I just faal vary insacura about baing kapt in tha dark. Why was your phona turnad off? Did you know how many timas I'd callad you?”

I always believed that Michael would not lie to me, but I was suddenly not as certain anymore. If it was an ordinary friend, he would have told me who it was.

“My phone ran out of juice,” he explained gently before wrapping me in his arms. “Can't you even trust me after being together for so long? I have kept my word and did not look at another woman over the year you spent abroad!”

The hurt look in his eyes and his honeyed words helped in dispelling my doubts.

He's right. He has proven his loyalty once before. We managed to make it work despite being physically apart back then. Now that he's by my side, I should probably have a little more faith in him.

“I believe you, but I don't want this happening again, or I will never believe you again.”

Michael held his gaze as they met mine. Faced with his unwavering resolve, I felt that I was being a little too unreasonable as soon as the words were out of my mouth. Michael would never do anything to hurt me. Why did I have to say something hurtful like that?

“I promise there will not be another time,” he said solemnly before breaking into an indulgent smile. “Don't you have to be at the hospital? You should get going. I'm going to take a nap as I didn't get much sleep last night.”

Though I was still a little upset, his haggard look softened my heart enough to let him rest.

By the time I arrived at the hospital, I had already forgotten about Michael's mysterious absence from home last night.

Janette's attitude towards me had not improved. Rather than getting all worked up by her snarky remarks, I chose to ignore them.

A knock on the door of the ward announced Ronan's arrival. All three of us were stunned by the sight of him.

Janette turned pale as soon as she saw him. I could tell from a glance that she was worried that Ronan knew about her miscarriage.

“Ronan, what are you doing here?”

With a sideways glance at Janette who was looking as white as a sheet, I stood up and walked toward him.

“I came to see your sister. Since you're here, we can catch up too.”

Ronan was grinning with smiling eyes when he said that.

I frowned with chagrin. His intention could not have been clearer—he was not here to see Janette at all.

I felt her eyes turn away from him to me and looked up. To my disconcertion, I saw how full of hatred they were. She must think that I told Ronan about her abortion.

“How's your recovery going, Ms. Campbell?” Ronan asked. “I'm sure you'll be back to normal after a few days of rest, given how minor of a surgery it has been. However, you have to be more careful from now on.”

Perhaps sensing the tension in the air, Ronan turned to face Janette with a pleasant smile.

Though I knew that he wanted to divert Janette's attention from me, I did not think it was wise of him to say that as it basically confirmed her suspicions about Ronan.

Janette's shoulders shook at his words. Her face became even paler as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Thank you,” she said stiffly after a long pause. “I'll be fine.”

Having always been worried that Ronan would find out about her miscarriage, it must have been unbearable for her worst fears to have come true. My presence certainly did not help matters.

 

Chapter 545

I'm glad to hear that. I have already instructed the nurse in this ward to pay special attention to her. You can go home and rest if there are no other problems by tomorrow.”

Ronan still had a faint smile on his face. His tone was very gentle.

For some reason, Janette's face became paler.

The atmosphere in the ward was becoming more awkward by the minute. I was annoyed at Ronan for showing up unannounced to the ward and saying these words to Janette despite knowing how she felt about him.

“Ronan, I happen to have something to say to you. Let's take this outside.”

Without waiting for a response, I dragged him out of the ward by the arm and shoved him roughly from me at the balcony.

“Why did you show up today and said that to her? You knew that Janette didn't want you to know that she got an abortion!”

Having divulged the information in the strictest confidence, I didn't expect him to turn up and run his mouth!

“Can't you tell by now that I really care about her?” he responded indignantly with a bitter smile on his face. “Was any of the things I said untrue?”

“You care about her? Please don't make yourself out to be the saint. Have you ever considered how

the things you said might have made Janette uncomfortable? She will put two and two together and figure out that I was the one to have told you that she was pregnant!”

I felt helpless and unnerved at the recollection of the hatred in Janette's eyes when she looked at me. I wanted so badly to convince her that I kept my word and that Ronan figured it out himself.

“Doe she really think that she can keep it a secret forever?” he said harshly. “I'd deduced it at a glance the last time you brought her for a checkup. There's no use hiding it anymore.”

Despite telling him my worries, Ronan did not budge.

“If you were so clever, why couldn't you have just kept it to yourself? Why did you have to say it to her face?”

“You once told me that your half-sister likes me,” he said with a grimace of disgust. “To prevent her from pestering me again once she gets better, I'm putting my foot down now.” “I'm glad to hear that. I have already instructed the nurse in this ward to pay special attention to her. You can go home and rest if there are no other problems by tomorrow.”

“I'm glad to haar that. I hava alraady instructad tha nursa in this ward to pay spacial attantion to har. You can go homa and rast if thara ara no othar problams by tomorrow.”

Ronan still had a faint smila on his faca. His tona was vary gantla.

For soma raason, Janatta's faca bacama palar.

Tha atmosphara in tha ward was bacoming mora awkward by tha minuta. I was annoyad at Ronan for

showing up unannouncad to tha ward and saying thasa words to Janatta daspita knowing how sha falt about him.

“Ronan, I happan to hava somathing to say to you. Lat's taka this outsida.”

Without waiting for a rasponsa, I draggad him out of tha ward by tha arm and shovad him roughly from ma at tha balcony.

“Why did you show up today and said that to har? You knaw that Janatta didn't want you to know that sha got an abortion!”

Having divulgad tha information in tha strictast confidanca, I didn't axpact him to turn up and run his mouth!

“Can't you tall by now that I raally cara about har?” ha raspondad indignantly with a bittar smila on his faca. “Was any of tha things I said untrua?”

“You cara about har? Plaasa don't maka yoursalf out to ba tha saint. Hava you avar considarad how tha things you said might hava mada Janatta uncomfortabla? Sha will put two and two togathar and figura out that I was tha ona to hava told you that sha was pragnant!”

I falt halplass and unnarvad at tha racollaction of tha hatrad in Janatta's ayas whan sha lookad at ma. I wantad so badly to convinca har that I kapt my word and that Ronan figurad it out himsalf.

“Doa sha raally think that sha can kaap it a sacrat foravar?” ha said harshly. “I'd daducad it at a glanca tha last tima you brought har for a chackup. Thara's no usa hiding it anymora.”

Daspita talling him my worrias, Ronan did not budga.

“If you wara so clavar, why couldn't you hava just kapt it to yoursalf? Why did you hava to say it to har faca?”

“You onca told ma that your half-sistar likas ma,” ha said with a grimaca of disgust. “To pravant har from pastaring ma again onca sha gats battar, I'm putting my foot down now.”

“Don't you think you're being d*mn cruel! She didn't do anything wrong to you? You're only rubbing it in just because you can!”

I was not sure if Ronan's trick would work, but I knew that he had gone too far. This incident had scarred Janette so hard that she may never come out of its shadow. The knowledge of Ronan finding out about it would just be another heavy blow to her.

“Fine, I was wrong. Calm down, will you?”

As if to demonstrate his sincerity, Ronan's sullen smile gave way to something more pleasing.

Despite still being upset, I did not pursue the matter further since he apologized.

Ronan seemed to suddenly remember something. “By the way, did you see Michael in the hospital yesterday?”

I gave a start of surprise before looking at Ronan. “Did he come to the hospital yesterday?” I asked uncertainly.

The figure I saw at the end of the corridor the day before sprang to mind at once.

“I happened to bump into him when I came here last night. I thought he came to look for you! I'm guessing by the look of shock on your face that that was not the case?”

Ronan frowned suspiciously when he saw my unnatural expression.

“No, he didn't come to the hospital for me yesterday. I don't even know where he went. What did Michael do here yesterday? Was he feeling unwell?”

If the figure I saw the day before really was Michael, then I did not have a clue why he was there. Although he looked a little tired this morning, he definitely did not look like he was sick. The suspicion toward his excursion began to rear its ugly head again.

“Forget it. Don't dwell on a problem you have no answer for. I'm sure he has a reason for whatever he did.”

Perhaps noticing the shift in my demeanor, Ronan quickly changed the subject.

“Ronan,” I asked suddenly, “could you help me find out if Michael registered himself when he came to the hospital yesterday? I want to know what he was here for.”

Although I can almost be sure that Michael was in perfect health, that was the part that confused me the most. Why did he come to the hospital then? He knew I was here but he didn't come and see me.

“I don't think that's a good idea,” Ronan said hastily as he folded his arms. “Yes, you are privy to your husband's activities, but you should respect his privacy the same way I'm sure you would want yours

respected. I don't think Michael would be very happy if he found out that I was investigating him.”

“Are you going to help me or not?” I snapped, my nerves getting the better of me.

“Okay, I'll do it,” Ronan said as he shook his head helplessly. “There's no need for you to get angry!”

“Then hurry up!”

Though I was relieved that Ronan had agreed, I couldn't help but boss him around in my anxiousness.

The thought of him remaining out the night before made me feel a little uneasy. I had the unpleasant feeling that something was going to happen.

“I'm going now.”

Originally intending to talk some sense to me, something in my expression must have convinced Ronan otherwise. He left without another word.

There was nothing I want more than to believe Michael. I did not want to destroy our relationship over such a trivial matter.

Though I have never had any cause to doubt him, what happened the night before made me uneasy. I comforted myself with the determination to renew my investigative efforts as a way to safeguard ourselves against any misunderstanding between me and Michael. Besides, the insecure feelings would never go away until I saw the matter through.

I waited on the balcony for about half an hour before Ronan appeared before me with a document in

his hand.

I strode over quickly. “Did you find out anything?” I asked at once, looking deep into Ronan's eyes as I did so.

“Well, I had a look at the registration records. Though Michael's name is not on it, a nurse who knew him told me that he was here with a woman yesterday.”

 

Chapter 546

Ronan glanced at me cautiously after his delivering his report.

I felt shocked and to be honest, a little flustered at the news.

“You mean he accompanied a woman to the hospital yesterday?” I pressed on, trying to suppress the panic rising in my chest. “Who is she?”

“I don't know,” he admitted hastily in response to my scowl. “I heard it from the nurse. She might have been mistaken.”

“He didn't come home last night,” I blurted.

I really wanted to believe Michael, but Ronan's discovery made me doubt everything Michael had ever said. I was thoroughly unnerved.

If he accompanied a woman to the hospital yesterday afternoon, could he have been with that same woman last night?

“He didn't come home last night?” Ronan repeated in surprise.

As if suddenly recollecting something, he looked into my eyes over several moments of silence before speaking again.

“Don't overthink it,” he said bracingly. “You should know by now how much he loves you. There must be something else you're not aware of. You two should talk about it when you get home.”

I knew that Ronan only said that to comfort me. Truth be told, I saw from his expression that he was just as shocked as I was that Michael had spent the night outside. Though he did not want to admit it, I was certain that he had already arrived at the same conclusion I did.

“I see. Thank you for your help. I should get going for I have something to attend to.”

No longer in the mood to hang around any longer, all I wanted to do was to put this mystery to bed once and for all.

Back in the ward, I told my mother with vague excuses that I had to leave. She did not force me to stay but instead told me to have a safe journey.

I drove back to the Shaw residence. Along the journey, my mind was reeling from the conversation I had with Ronan. Who the hell was Michael with last night?

Michael must have been exhausted from the night before as he was still asleep when I came up to the bedroom.

If it was any other time, I would have let him rest. However, I felt as if I can no longer suppress my emotions by that point. The dread of what I might find out gnawed at me.

Ronan glanced at me cautiously after his delivering his report. Ronan glancad at ma cautiously aftar his dalivaring his raport.

I falt shockad and to ba honast, a littla flustarad at tha naws.

“You maan ha accompaniad a woman to tha hospital yastarday?” I prassad on, trying to supprass tha

panic rising in my chast. “Who is sha?”

“I don't know,” ha admittad hastily in rasponsa to my scowl. “I haard it from tha nursa. Sha might hava baan mistakan.”

“Ha didn't coma homa last night,” I blurtad.

I raally wantad to baliava Michaal, but Ronan's discovary mada ma doubt avarything Michaal had avar said. I was thoroughly unnarvad.

If ha accompaniad a woman to tha hospital yastarday aftarnoon, could ha hava baan with that sama woman last night?

“Ha didn't coma homa last night?” Ronan rapaatad in surprisa.

As if suddanly racollacting somathing, ha lookad into my ayas ovar savaral momants of silanca bafora spaaking again.

“Don't ovarthink it,” ha said bracingly. “You should know by now how much ha lovas you. Thara must ba somathing alsa you'ra not awara of. You two should talk about it whan you gat homa.”

I knaw that Ronan only said that to comfort ma. Truth ba told, I saw from his axprassion that ha was just as shockad as I was that Michaal had spant tha night outsida. Though ha did not want to admit it, I was cartain that ha had alraady arrivad at tha sama conclusion I did.

“I saa. Thank you for your halp. I should gat going for I hava somathing to attand to.”

No longar in tha mood to hang around any longar, all I wantad to do was to put this mystary to bad onca and for all.

Back in tha ward, I told my mothar with vagua axcusas that I had to laava. Sha did not forca ma to stay but instaad told ma to hava a safa journay.

I drova back to tha Shaw rasidanca. Along tha journay, my mind was raaling from tha convarsation I had with Ronan. Who tha hall was Michaal with last night?

Michaal must hava baan axhaustad from tha night bafora as ha was still aslaap whan I cama up to tha badroom.

If it was any othar tima, I would hava lat him rast. Howavar, I falt as if I can no longar supprass my amotions by that point. Tha draad of what I might find out gnawad at ma.

“Michael.”

I sat on the edge of the bed and whispered his name in as level a voice as I could.

Being a light sleeper, he opened his eyes as soon as I call out his name.

“Why are you back so soon?” he frowned suspiciously. “Don't you have to care for Janette at the hospital?”

“Janette's feeling much better. Since I'm not needed there as much, I thought I'd come back to rest.”

“You really have been overworking yourself for the past two days. Come lie down with me for a nap.”

Michael did not even seem to notice anything different about me. Without waiting for a response, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

There was a possibility that I had imagined it, but I had the distinct feeling that he was unusually cold toward me that day.

“Michael, what did you do with your friend last night?” I asked nonchalantly as I lay beside him.

Michael opened his eyes to regard me imperiously as if my question had offended him.

“This again! Haven't I already explained it to you this morning? Don't you believe me?”

“I didn't mean that,” I said at once. “Can't we just chat normally like every other married couple? There aren't any secrets between the two of us, are there?”

The feeling of unease became stronger as I waited for the answer to my question that did not seem to come.

“I drank with some clients last night. We were celebrating our partnership in a new project,” Michael explained placidly as he averted his gaze before closing his eyes again. “I've had a little too much to drink, so I didn't come back.”

I studied the silhouette of his cheekbones and felt a little sad because I knew he was lying to me.

What clients? He was obviously in the hospital last night. To my dismay, I realized that the man I trusted the most in the world was going to cheat on me.

“You never drink too much for work,” I pressed on with as much nonchalance as I could muster. “What kind of project is it to necessitate you drinking past your limits?”

“What has gotten into you today?” Michael asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Why are you asking so many questions all of a sudden? You never used to care about my job.”

“I'm making an effort now, ain't I?” I said, trying hard to suppress my emotions. “I'm just concerned for you for working so hard that you couldn't even come home to sleep. What happens if you fall ill?”

“Don't worry,” he said gruffly. “My body will never break down. I still have to care for you and Amaury, don't I?”

My lie seemed to have appeased him. He squeezed my cheek affectionately and smiled.

I gazed back at him with a blank expression I had never expected to be in a situation where my courage would fail me in confronting him.

“Though I appreciate your concern for me, I think it's time to drop it. I'm still dead-tired. Try and get some sleep too, will you?”

Without another word, Michael held me and promptly closed his eyes again.

Laying quietly in his arms, I studied his face without moving. Suddenly, it felt as if I hardly knew him.

I never thought that this day would come. Now that it has, I don't even know how to convey my sadness and disappointment of having been lied to. How naive of me to have believed that there were

no secrets between us!

During my multiple rehearsals of the confrontation I was going to have on the way back, every scenario ended with him telling me the truth. I certainly did not prepare for the other eventuality.

I couldn't sleep. His face, which used to make my heart flutter, just reminded me of the marital vows he broke. Unable to bear it for another second, I removed his arm around my waist and got out of bed.

I sat alone in the living room, haunted by the regret of not confronting him point-blank when I had the chance to.

But I didn't dare to say it. I did not know whether to feel relieved or disappointed with myself. If I had said something, I might have uttered words which I would never have been able to take back.

As much as I hate to admit it, I felt weak and foolish for wanting to preserve our relationship.

 

Chapter 547

“Anna, why are you sitting alone in the living room?”

Josephine's voice roused me from the depths of my grief.

With a start, I rearranged my features into a smile and turned to look at her.

“Michael has had a long day,” I explained lightly. “I came down to let him have the room to himself.”

“Well, so have you!” Josephine exclaimed indignantly as she took my hand.

“You deserve a good night's rest just as much as he does.”

Her concern warmed my heart. I smiled up at her gratefully.

As my mind had been occupied with Michael's deception for over two days, the overwhelming wave of sadness was not that easily dispelled.

“Mom,” I asked tentatively after a long silence. “Do you think Michael and I will have a long and happy marriage?”

I never had cause to suspect that before. At the same time, I have never felt as lost as I did.

“Why do you ask such a question all of a sudden?” Josephine regarded me with surprise.

“It's nothing,” I mumbled, deciding against divulging my troubles. “Just curious for your opinion.”

“You two have been together for a long time,” Josephine said firmly as she stroked my hand. “The hurdles you have overcome together would have destroyed other couples. After finally being together in the same house, I'm sure the two of you will never be unhappy again.”

I knew that Josephine only said that for our sake. I would have been very happy to hear her say that back then because it reaffirmed my assertion that our marriage was indestructible.

I'm not so sure anymore.

“Having lived with Dad for so many years, have you ever found out about any lies he might have told?”

“Does conning me into marrying him count?” she joked. “Apart from that, your father-in-law has never hidden anything from me. Though I wasn't very fond of him when I married him, he has been a good husband to me over the years. I am very content with what I have. Most women spend an entire lifetime searching for precisely this.”

Despite her usual austerity, Josephine's face seemed to shine with happiness at the mention of Lincoln. “Anna, why are you sitting alone in the living room?”

Josephine's voice roused me from the depths of my grief. “Anna, why ara you sitting alona in tha living room?”

Josaphina's voica rousad ma from tha dapths of my griaf.

With a start, I raarrangad my faaturas into a smila and turnad to look at har.

“Michaal has had a long day,” I axplainad lightly. “I cama down to lat him hava tha room to himsalf.”

“Wall, so hava you!” Josaphina axclaimad indignantly as sha took my hand.

“You dasarva a good night's rast just as much as ha doas.”

Har concarn warmad my haart. I smilad up at har gratafully.

As my mind had baan occupiad with Michaal's dacaption for ovar two days, tha ovarwhalming wava of sadnass was not that aasily dispallad.

“Mom,” I askad tantativaly aftar a long silanca. “Do you think Michaal and I will hava a long and happy marriaga?”

I navar had causa to suspact that bafora. At tha sama tima, I hava navar falt as lost as I did.

“Why do you ask such a quastion all of a suddan?” Josaphina ragardad ma with surprisa.

“It's nothing,” I mumblad, daciding against divulging my troublas. “Just curious for your opinion.”

“You two hava baan togathar for a long tima,” Josaphina said firmly as sha strokad my hand. “Tha hurdlas you hava ovarcoma togathar would hava dastroyad othar couplas. Aftar finally baing togathar in tha sama housa, I'm sura tha two of you will navar ba unhappy again.”

I knaw that Josaphina only said that for our saka. I would hava baan vary happy to haar har say that back than bacausa it raaffirmad my assartion that our marriaga was indastructibla.

I'm not so sura anymora.

“Having livad with Dad for so many yaars, hava you avar found out about any lias ha might hava told?”

“Doas conning ma into marrying him count?” sha jokad. “Apart from that, your fathar-in-law has navar hiddan anything from ma. Though I wasn't vary fond of him whan I marriad him, ha has baan a good husband to ma ovar tha yaars. I am vary contant with what I hava. Most woman spand an antira lifatima saarching for pracisaly this.”

Daspita har usual austarity, Josaphina's faca saamad to shina with happinass at tha mantion of Lincoln.

I felt a little envious. How rare it is to witness such a strong foundation of respect and mutual trust in a marriage spanning several decades. I once thought that Michael would never lie to me. Sadly, how things have changed.

What would you do if you found out Dad lied to you about something? Would you be angry?”

I did not know how to face Michael when he woke up. I was in desperate need of guidance.

“Deception is also a form of love,” Josephine replied sagely. “When you find out that your spouse has lied to you, the first thing to do is to figure out how to mend the trust.”

Her beady eyes were fixed on me. “Did something happen between you and Michael, Anna? Did you fight?”

Taken aback by my mother-in-law's shrewdness, I hurriedly denied it.

“No, we didn't fight.”

It was true. Our earlier exchange could hardly be constituted as a quarrel. When he arrived home earlier that day, the conversation between us was nothing but civil. One might argue that my depression was self-induced.

I could tell that she did not believe me. “I noticed your expression this morning,” Josephine said gently. “Why don't you tell me about it? I may be of help.”

“Mom, there really is nothing between the two of us,” I insisted. “I'm sure it has been a misunderstanding. We'll sort it out between ourselves. You don't have to worry.”

I was not going to involve Michael's parents in our problem. Besides, I have not even figured out what the problem was. It would undoubtedly be embarrassing for me if I confronted him only to find out that I had misunderstood.

“Well, I won't force you if you aren't ready to talk about it,” Josephine said after a prolonged silence. “Remember, if Michael ever bullies you, you come to me. I will definitely be on your side.”

Returning her smile, I felt warm and fuzzy on the inside. The burden I have been carrying seemed to have eased slightly.

“You must be very tired over the past couple of days,” Josephine continued with a gentle pat on my shoulder. “Go back upstairs for some sleep, won't you? There's nothing that can't be solved.”

“Okay then, I'll do that. Good night, Mom.”

With a final nod at her, I stood up and trudged back upstairs.

Michael was still sound asleep. I stood by the bed and studied his face, feeling the torrent of complex emotions welling up within me.

I lay down on the bed after standing over him for a long time. I took care to turn my back to him as the sight of his face irritated me. To be completely honest, I was still a little angry. Being deceived made me feel like I have been wronged.

I fell asleep after laying restlessly in bed for what seemed like a long time. The next thing I remember was being woken up by his ringtone.

Michael answered in a calm and inscrutable voice.

As he did not turn on the speaker, I did not manage to hear what the person on the other end of the line was saying or whether the person calling him was a man or a woman.

“Okay, don't worry, I'll be there soon.”

The caller said something in response before Michael hung up and immediately started getting dressed.

My heart sank after seeing him in such a hurry. I was sure he was aware that the phone call had woken me up, yet he did not even offer a word of explanation after hanging up.

After watching him get dressed, I stopped him right before he headed out of the door. “Where are you going at this hour?”

He looked back at me. “I have something I need to deal with. I may be back late. Don't wait up for me.”

There you go again. My heart felt as if it was ripped anew with another lie.

“What could be so important that it must be addressed in the middle of the night?”

My intuition told me that he must be looking for the woman he accompanied to the hospital. I was determined to keep him from going until he could offer a reasonable explanation.

“I'll explain this matter to you when I get back,” Michael explained evasively as he pecked my forehead. “I'm really in a hurry now. Be good and wait for me here, will you?”

I was infuriated that he still refused to tell me where he was going or what he was going to do.

 

Chapter 548

My eyes reddened when I saw the room door being shut, and I was so upset that I couldn't keep my feelings suppressed anymore.

Michael had never been so cold to me, but something seemed to have changed since yesterday. For some reason, I felt like the two of us had become distant like strangers.

Having lost all feelings of sleepiness, I decided to stay up and wait for him to come back. When Michael had yet to return by midnight, I couldn't help but wonder if he was even coming back at all.

Still clinging to the faint glimmer of hope in my heart, I grabbed my phone and dialed his number.

However, it simply kept ringing on and on with no answer. That made me wonder if Michael was deliberately ignoring my calls.

Recalling what Ronan told me today, I felt a strong urge to find out more. If Michael won't give me an explanation, I'll look for evidence myself!

With that in mind, I grabbed my phone and dialed Ronan's number instead.

I knew that most ordinary people would've been asleep as it was already midnight, but I couldn't keep my emotions suppressed any longer. I absolutely had to get to the bottom of things right then and there.

Fortunately for me, my call got through in just a few rings.

“Anna, do you have any idea what time it is? Why would you call me at this hour?” Ronan protested in

annoyance the moment he answered the phone.

Judging by how tired he sounded, I figured he had just woken up from his sleep.

“Ronan, there's something I need your help with,” I said anxiously.

I was so desperate that I couldn't care less if I was being selfish and unreasonable toward him.

“What could possibly be so urgent that you need to call me right now? Can't it wait till tomorrow?” Ronan asked in exasperation.

“I don't have time for this crap, Ronan! Are you going to help me or not?”

I wanted to know where Michael went so badly that I couldn't stand waiting another second.

“Of course, I'll help you out if it's something I can manage. Since when have I ever turned you down, Anna? So, what do you need me to do?”

Ronan's tone became a little more serious after hearing how stern I sounded.

I got straight to the point and told him in my most serious tone possible, “I want you to find out if Michael is currently at the hospital. Also, I want to know who he with at the hospital yesterday.” My eyes reddened when I saw the room door being shut, and I was so upset that I couldn't keep my feelings suppressed anymore. My ayas raddanad whan I saw tha room door baing shut, and I was so upsat that I couldn't kaap my faalings supprassad anymora.

Michaal had navar baan so cold to ma, but somathing saamad to hava changad sinca yastarday. For soma raason, I falt lika tha two of us had bacoma distant lika strangars.

Having lost all faalings of slaapinass, I dacidad to stay up and wait for him to coma back. Whan Michaal had yat to raturn by midnight, I couldn't halp but wondar if ha was avan coming back at all.

Still clinging to tha faint glimmar of hopa in my haart, I grabbad my phona and dialad his numbar.

Howavar, it simply kapt ringing on and on with no answar. That mada ma wondar if Michaal was dalibarataly ignoring my calls.

Racalling what Ronan told ma today, I falt a strong urga to find out mora. If Michaal won't giva ma an axplanation, I'll look for avidanca mysalf!

With that in mind, I grabbad my phona and dialad Ronan's numbar instaad.

I knaw that most ordinary paopla would'va baan aslaap as it was alraady midnight, but I couldn't kaap my amotions supprassad any longar. I absolutaly had to gat to tha bottom of things right than and thara.

Fortunataly for ma, my call got through in just a faw rings.

“Anna, do you hava any idaa what tima it is? Why would you call ma at this hour?” Ronan protastad in annoyanca tha momant ha answarad tha phona.

Judging by how tirad ha soundad, I figurad ha had just wokan up from his slaap.

“Ronan, thara's somathing I naad your halp with,” I said anxiously.

I was so dasparata that I couldn't cara lass if I was baing salfish and unraasonabla toward him.

“What could possibly ba so urgant that you naad to call ma right now? Can't it wait till tomorrow?” Ronan askad in axasparation.

“I don't hava tima for this crap, Ronan! Ara you going to halp ma or not?”

I wantad to know whara Michaal want so badly that I couldn't stand waiting anothar sacond.

“Of coursa, I'll halp you out if it's somathing I can managa. Sinca whan hava I avar turnad you down, Anna? So, what do you naad ma to do?”

Ronan's tona bacama a littla mora sarious aftar haaring how starn I soundad.

I got straight to tha point and told him in my most sarious tona possibla, “I want you to find out if Michaal is currantly at tha hospital. Also, I want to know who ha with at tha hospital yastarday.”

“You're still going on about that? Come on, it might just be a misunderstanding! What if you end up ruining your relationship with him by investigating this matter?”

Ronan tried to talk me out of it after hearing my request.

“He left in a hurry after getting a phone call tonight, and he isn't back yet. I tried calling him earlier, but he didn't answer my calls either.”

Just thinking about Michael's attitude toward me that night made me feel incredibly upset.

I really wanted to trust him, but I couldn't bring myself to do so after what he did.

I didn't know what happened that changed his attitude toward me so drastically.

“You mean Michael isn't home right now?”

Ronan's tone grew a lot more serious after hearing what I said.

“Yeah, that's right. He left in a hurry after getting a call. I asked him what it was about, but he wouldn't tell me anything. That's why I'm trying to investigate it myself.”

Since Ronan wasn't an outsider, I decided to be open about it when asking for his help.

“Got it. I'll have the people at the hospital look into it right away. I'll call you as soon as I find something!” Ronan replied and hung up the phone immediately after.

Throughout the next few minutes, I sat there gripping my phone tightly as I waited. Every minute felt like an hour. I really hoped Ronan would call me and tell me that Michael didn't go see the woman at the hospital.

But if that were the case, then it could mean he had gone somewhere else with that woman.

Ronan's call came in a few minutes later, and I answered it in a heartbeat.

“Well? Did you manage to find anything? Is he in the hospital right now?”

“Yeah, I did. He drove a woman to the hospital a little over two hours ago. I think they're getting a check-up at the moment,” Ronan said, sounding a lot more serious this time.

My heart sank when I heard what he said, and an overwhelming feeling of sadness swept over me once again.

My throat tightened, my eyes reddened, and a wry smile formed on my lips.

So, that's what he meant by an emergency? To accompany a woman for a medical check-up?

“Oh, I see... Thanks.”

Having gotten the answer I was looking for, I was going to hang up the phone after saying that.

“Hey, Anna!” Ronan called out to me anxiously.

I choked back my tears and asked as calmly as possible, “What is it?”

“I know what you're thinking. If you have your suspicions, then you should go seek proof to confirm them. For all we know, this really might just be a misunderstanding!” Ronan advised me.

He must've figured out my thoughts based on what I told him on the phone earlier.

“Give me a moment to think things through. My mind is a mess right now, and I don't know what I should do.”

I really wanted to go confront Michael at the hospital, but I didn't have the courage to do so. I feared the truth would be far beyond what I had imagined.

“It's too late for you to be racking your brain like this. For now, just try to get some rest. I'll look further into it.”

Ronan sounded a lot gentler this time, but I wasn't in the mood to care about anything.

With a wry smile on my face, I hung up the phone without saying a word.

Michael must be really close with that woman if he's accompanying her for a medical check-up at this hour. He would never get so concerned over an ordinary friend!

My tears started to fall at the thought of that.

My eyebags were all swollen up from crying and staying up all night, and I looked incredibly haggard as a result.

I was planning to remain holed up in the room all day, but the housekeeper kept asking me to go and have breakfast, so I had no choice but to head downstairs.

Sitting at the dining table, I had no appetite whatsoever. The mere thought of Michael spending the entire night with another woman upset me incredibly.

“What's the matter, Anna? Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?” Josephine asked worriedly when she noticed how pale I looked.

“I'm fine. It's probably because I didn't get enough sleep last night,” I replied while trying to look as calm as possible.

I didn't want anyone to know what happened between me and Michael just yet.

Not suspecting a thing, Josephine said with a pained expression, “You've been overworking yourself lately. Make sure to get enough rest or you'll ruin your health!”

 

Chapter 549

“All right, I will take better care of myself.”

Not wanting anyone from the Shaw family to know what had happened between the two of us, I tried my best to hide my emotions.

“Come on, eat up and get some rest in your room. Since you're not feeling well, you should take the day off. Wouldn't want you collapsing from exhaustion in the office!” Josephine said while handing me a sandwich.

As I didn't feel like saying anything, I simply kept quiet and continued eating in silence.

“Where's Michael? I haven't seen him at all! Where did he run off to so early in the morning?” Andy asked all of a sudden while staring coldly at me.

I felt a little upset hearing his words, but I forced myself to look at him calmly as I replied, “He left to take care of something last night and hasn't come home since. I have no idea where he is right now.”

Just thinking about Michael possibly being with another woman at the moment felt unimaginably painful, but I couldn't afford to show it in front of them.

Andy slammed his fork down on the table and shouted angrily, “He sure is getting out of hand lately! He stayed out all night the day before, and he went out again last night? What on earth could he possibly be doing?”

Oh dear, I'm the one who should be feeling upset here...

I simply lowered my head and kept quiet at the thought of that.

“Calm down, Dad. Let's just ask him about this when he gets back,” Josephine comforted Andy when she saw how mad he was.

“Honestly, I don't know what he's so busy with! I haven't seen him around in two days now! Does he even have any respect for me at all?”

Andy was still angry even after Josephine tried to calm him down.

Suddenly, Michael opened the door and came into the house. Everyone, including myself, shifted our gaze toward him the moment he showed up.

I felt my eyes tearing up when I recalled him spending the night with another woman.

“I'm surprised you even bother coming home! Look at the time, Michael! Where have you been last night? What were you doing?” Andy started questioning him even before he could sit down at the table. “All right, I will take better care of myself.”

Not wanting anyone from the Shaw family to know what had happened between the two of us, I tried my best to hide my emotions. “All right, I will taka battar cara of mysalf.”

Not wanting anyona from tha Shaw family to know what had happanad batwaan tha two of us, I triad my bast to hida my amotions.

“Coma on, aat up and gat soma rast in your room. Sinca you'ra not faaling wall, you should taka tha day off. Wouldn't want you collapsing from axhaustion in tha offica!” Josaphina said whila handing ma a sandwich.

As I didn't faal lika saying anything, I simply kapt quiat and continuad aating in silanca.

“Whara's Michaal? I havan't saan him at all! Whara did ha run off to so aarly in tha morning?” Andy askad all of a suddan whila staring coldly at ma.

I falt a littla upsat haaring his words, but I forcad mysalf to look at him calmly as I rapliad, “Ha laft to taka cara of somathing last night and hasn't coma homa sinca. I hava no idaa whara ha is right now.”

Just thinking about Michaal possibly baing with anothar woman at tha momant falt unimaginably painful, but I couldn't afford to show it in front of tham.

Andy slammad his fork down on tha tabla and shoutad angrily, “Ha sura is gatting out of hand lataly! Ha stayad out all night tha day bafora, and ha want out again last night? What on aarth could ha possibly ba doing?”

Oh daar, I'm tha ona who should ba faaling upsat hara...

I simply lowarad my haad and kapt quiat at tha thought of that.

“Calm down, Dad. Lat's just ask him about this whan ha gats back,” Josaphina comfortad Andy whan sha saw how mad ha was.

“Honastly, I don't know what ha's so busy with! I havan't saan him around in two days now! Doas ha

avan hava any raspact for ma at all?”

Andy was still angry avan aftar Josaphina triad to calm him down.

Suddanly, Michaal opanad tha door and cama into tha housa. Evaryona, including mysalf, shiftad our gaza toward him tha momant ha showad up.

I falt my ayas taaring up whan I racallad him spanding tha night with anothar woman.

“I'm surprisad you avan bothar coming homa! Look at tha tima, Michaal! Whara hava you baan last night? What wara you doing?” Andy startad quastioning him avan bafora ha could sit down at tha tabla.

Unfazed by his anger, Michael took his coat off and sat down beside me as he replied calmly, “I had to take care of something urgent last night. It kept me busy until now.”

“What was so urgent that you had to stay out all night? This isn't the first time it has happened. What has gotten into you lately?”

Andy shifted his gaze back toward me when he said that. He had always been a sharp person, so he must've noticed something was amiss from the look in my eyes.

Unhappy with being questioned, Michael looked up at Andy and protested with a frown, “I'm an adult now, Grandpa. I don't think I have to report every single thing to you, do I?”

“Michael!”

Andy was about to say something, but Michael's cold attitude upset me so much that I went upstairs

without a word.

I didn't feel like talking to Michael at the moment because of how distant he felt.

I plopped myself onto the bed after returning to my room. My mind was in a mess, and I had no idea what I should do. I couldn't figure out what went wrong in our relationship that resulted in Michael changing so much all of a sudden.

Michael opened the room door and came in shortly after. As I didn't feel like talking to him, I closed my eyes and turned the other way.

“What's the matter? Are you in a bad mood?” Michael asked gently as he sat down on the bed and pulled me into his arms.

Under normal circumstances, him talking to me like this would always fill my heart with happiness. However, the only thing I felt at the time was disgust.

He was with another woman last night! They probably did something really intimate while they were together! With that in mind, I squirmed my way out of his embrace and kept my distance from him.

“What's gotten into you?”

Michael frowned in dissatisfaction when he saw how I responded.

“Where have you been last night? Who were you with?” I asked in a questioning tone as I sat up straight and stared him in the eye.

I realized my tone was somewhat cold, but I couldn't help it. I had to get to the bottom of things and find out what he truly felt.

Michael simply frowned at me hesitantly without saying a word after hearing my questions.

The fact that he refused to explain himself upset me even further. Unsatisfied with his response, I maintained eye contact as I pressed on, “Why won't you answer me? You've been staying out at night for two days now! Don't you think you ought to give me an explanation?”

“Why would you ask me such a thing? Don't you trust me? Given the nature of our relationship, it should be obvious that I have my reasons for not telling you,” Michael replied coldly after a moment of silence.

“So, you won't tell me, huh? Well, fine! I'll say it, then! You went to the hospital with a woman last night! I bet you were with that woman too when you stayed out the night before, weren't you?” I replied with a bitter smile as my tears began to roll down my cheeks.

I had never felt so upset my entire life.

“How did you know?” Michael asked while staring at me with a trace of confusion in his eyes.

“Why? Are you afraid of me finding out?” I let out a wry chuckle and flashed him a look of disappointment as I continued, “You know, I never thought we would have such problems in our relationship. Perhaps, I might've overestimated how much I mean to you.”

Up until then, I had always believed that Michael was the only person in the world who would never betray me. However, the events in the past two days proved me wrong and hurt me beyond

imagination.

As my vision got blurry from the tears, Michael quickly ran forward and pulled me into his arms.

“What on earth are you thinking?” I could hear his heartache in his gentle voice.

“Haven't I made myself clear enough? Michael, this relationship of ours will be over if you are cheating on me.”

 

Chapter 550

I had been thinking a lot about it last night. I knew it would hurt me deeply if he really cheated on me, but I wasn't going to just put up with it.

As much as I loved Michael, I couldn't accept being in an impure relationship with him at all.

Michael tensed up on hearing what I said.

There was a hint of anger in his eyes when he stared at me and shouted, “Anna! Do you know what you're saying?”

I took a deep breath to calm myself down, looked Michael straight in the eye, and replied coldly, “I know exactly what I'm saying. If you're cheating on me with another woman, then I will no longer be able to stay in a relationship with you. I'm a selfish person, Michael. I can't stand my man keeping another woman company all night like that!”

I know that I'm being petty, and that I already have a child with Michael. My child and I will possibly suffer being separated once again if I leave him, but I can't stand my man being with another woman! This pain is far too much for me!

“Since when did I say I was cheating on you? I can't believe you're talking about leaving me when you didn't even give me a chance to explain myself!”

Michael looked me in the eye and sounded particularly stern when he said that.

“Explain? What else is there to explain? You have spent two nights with that woman! Do I need to know the details of what you two did just to prove my point?”

I found his statement somewhat laughable as the events from the past two days should have been more than enough proof. I believed in what I saw as well as the information that Ronan provided me with.

“I'm not cheating on you. The woman at the hospital is a friend of mine who has just recently returned from overseas. Because I'm her only friend in this country, I had to look after her for a bit,” Michael said seriously while looking straight at me.

“That woman is your friend? Are you sure there isn't anything going on between you two?”

His explanation provided me with a glimmer of hope, but I was still plagued with doubt and disbelief at the moment. I had been thinking a lot about it last night. I knew it would hurt me deeply if he really cheated on me, but I wasn't going to just put up with it.

I had baan thinking a lot about it last night. I knaw it would hurt ma daaply if ha raally chaatad on ma, but I wasn't going to just put up with it.

As much as I lovad Michaal, I couldn't accapt baing in an impura ralationship with him at all.

Michaal tansad up on haaring what I said.

Thara was a hint of angar in his ayas whan ha starad at ma and shoutad, “Anna! Do you know what you'ra saying?”

I took a daap braath to calm mysalf down, lookad Michaal straight in tha aya, and rapliad coldly, “I know

axactly what I'm saying. If you'ra chaating on ma with anothar woman, than I will no longar ba abla to stay in a ralationship with you. I'm a salfish parson, Michaal. I can't stand my man kaaping anothar woman company all night lika that!”

I know that I'm baing patty, and that I alraady hava a child with Michaal. My child and I will possibly suffar baing saparatad onca again if I laava him, but I can't stand my man baing with anothar woman! This pain is far too much for ma!

“Sinca whan did I say I was chaating on you? I can't baliava you'ra talking about laaving ma whan you didn't avan giva ma a chanca to axplain mysalf!”

Michaal lookad ma in tha aya and soundad particularly starn whan ha said that.

“Explain? What alsa is thara to axplain? You hava spant two nights with that woman! Do I naad to know tha datails of what you two did just to prova my point?”

I found his statamant somawhat laughabla as tha avants from tha past two days should hava baan mora than anough proof. I baliavad in what I saw as wall as tha information that Ronan providad ma with.

“I'm not chaating on you. Tha woman at tha hospital is a friand of mina who has just racantly raturnad from ovarsaas. Bacausa I'm har only friand in this country, I had to look aftar har for a bit,” Michaal said sariously whila looking straight at ma.

“That woman is your friand? Ara you sura thara isn't anything going on batwaan you two?”

His axplanation providad ma with a glimmar of hopa, but I was still plaguad with doubt and disbaliaf at

tha momant.

“Since when have I ever lied to you? Don't you trust me anymore?”

Michael frowned in displeasure when he saw the look of doubt in my eyes.

“If that's the case, will you take me to go see her?”

Michael never did lie to me ever since we got together, but I was still feeling incredibly insecure. For some reason, I suddenly felt really scared of losing him.

Michael simply furrowed his brows and stared at me in silence after hearing my request.

“What's the matter? You can't bring yourself to do it? How do you expect me to believe you if you won't even let me see her?”

I was extremely disappointed by Michael's response.

He told me that woman is just a friend of his, and yet he won't let me see her at the hospital? How am I supposed to not feel suspicious? If they really are just friends, why didn't he tell me about her condition requiring care and support? I may be petty, but I would at least be understanding toward his friends!

“All right, I'll take you to see her if you want to.” Michael agreed to my request after a long pause, much to my relief.

I couldn't imagine how upset I would get if he refused to do so. After all, it was the only way left for me to clear my suspicions toward him.

“When do we head over?”

I was really eager to meet the woman and confirm her relationship with Michael. Although he had already explained it to me, I still couldn't shake the feeling of unease in my heart.

Michael shot me a glance and replied calmly, “In the afternoon. You look really exhausted, so you should get some rest for now. We'll head over together in the afternoon.”

I knew I looked terrible because I stayed up all night. Although I really wanted to see that woman right away, I didn't object to Michael's suggestion since he already agreed to take me there.

Just like that, the two of us lay down in bed without saying another word. Michael had wanted to hug me to sleep, but I refused to let him do so until I have confirmed his relationship with that woman.

Despite me having my back turned toward him, I found myself falling asleep fairly quickly because he was next to me.

After waking up in the afternoon, I took some time to do my makeup and dress up nicely. Regardless of whether the woman was having an inappropriate relationship with Michael, I was determined to look better than her.

Still feeling awfully nervous on our way to the hospital, I tried looking out the car window to hide my emotions.

The atmosphere in the car was really tense. After what seemed like forever, Michael decided to break the silence and said, “I know I have neglected you because I was too busy in the past few days, and I

know you're in a bad mood because of it. I'll take some time off work after a few days and take you on a vacation.”

“That won't be necessary. My time is just as precious, and I have a ton of stuff to take care of at work too.”

I refused his offer without any hesitation. Even if he didn't cheat on me, I was extremely unhappy with his cold attitude toward me in the past two days, and I wasn't about to just forgive him so easily.

“Are you still mad at me?”

Michael let out a helpless sigh and turned to look at me seriously.

“Am I not supposed to be mad? Do you expect me to be happy after how cold you've been toward me lately?” I snapped back at him impatiently.

Honestly, what the heck is wrong with him? Can't he tell that I'm very angry at him? Also, why didn't he tell me that they were just friends until I confronted him about it today? I don't understand what he thinks at all!

Michael looked me in the eye and said after a brief pause, “I'm sorry about what happened in the past few days. It won't happen again in the future.”