Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 9

Chapter 9:

Eileen paused at the doorway of the hospital room, her eyes tracking the cluster of people huddled around Vivian’s bed. She caught a glimpse of Vivian, who clung to Bryan with a determination that spoke volumes.

The Warren family stood with their backs to her, their displeasure a heavy cloak in the room’s already charged air. Fergus Warren, Vivian’s father, broke the silence with his deep voice, “Our family name is at stake. We’ve adored Vivian from her first breath. Yet now, she’s unfairly portrayed by the press. Bryan, we’re owed an explanation.”

Bryan stood there, his expression unreadable. Debby Warren, burning with anger, stepped in. She tugged at Vivian’s hand, pulling it away from Bryan. “Divorce your wife first. Then you can return to Vivian,” she said to Bryan.

“Mom!” Vivian’s voice cracked as she reclaimed Bryan’s hand, her body leaning into his. “Please, don’t corner Bryan. It’s not his choice. The marriage was his grandmother’s doing. Without her permission, how can he get a divorce?”

Fergus’s eyes bore into Vivian, his frustration palpable. “Forget the divorce for now. He must quell these rumors. He should at least protect your name from being tarnished any further.”

Vivian, undeterred, wrapped herself around Bryan tighter. “I chose this. If I hadn’t walked away then, none of this would have happened. The blame is mine to bear, not his. I won’t leave his side this time.”

Fergus and Debby seemed poised to counter, but Vivian turned to Kian, who had yet to speak, signaling his support. Kian broke the silence. “Dad, Vivian is an adult. She should make her own decisions. We ought not to interfere. Besides, she’s correct. Her departure from Bryan led us here. It was her choice. Don’t worry; I’ve dealt with the media. Everyone knows Bryan’s marriage wasn’t for love. The journalists seek only scandal. Vivian won’t be the subject of ridicule.”

Eileen’s grip on the door handle lightened. She knew too well the media’s appetite for scandal. With the Warren family’s intervention, the storm would surely pass. In their circle, mockery was reserved not for Vivian but for the elusive Mrs. Dawson, clinging to her title as Bryan’s wife. Once her identity was exposed in the future, it would turn her into a jest in the circle.

“I’ll manage my personal matters. Don’t worry, Mr. and Mrs. Warren.” Bryan’s voice, firm yet devoid of warmth, cut through the room. He released Vivian’s hand from his and, looking down, whispered, “Rest well. Venture out with more bodyguards. It’s best we plan for some days.”

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Vivian’s face fell, her urge to embrace him cooled by his indifferent gaze. She timidly grasped his pinkie, her voice cautious. “Bryan, will you visit me here?”

“If time allows,” Bryan answered, then nodded to Fergus and Debby. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go now.”

Eileen stepped aside, giving space for Bryan’s exit. As he passed, he furrowed his brow slightly. Fergus’s and Debby’s voices of displeasure could be heard from the room.

“What’s with his attitude? It’s like he doesn’t even care about Vivian!”

“Vivian, show some restraint. You’ve gone to lengths for him, yet he meets your warmth with coldness…”

The closing of the door muffled their further words. Though Eileen caught no more, the discontent in Fergus’s and Debby’s tones was unmistakable. They clearly placed the blame on Bryan for Vivian’s current plight. Her image was tarnished, and now she was injured. Their frustration with Bryan was palpable, viewing him as the root of Vivian’s woes.

her hand. Bryan studied it closely before asking,

I try

the car,” Bryan said as he gave the prescription back to her and left.

towards the ward where Vivian argued with her parents. She decided to follow Bryan, intrigued by his thoughts but unable to decipher them. Except

with the medicine, Eileen found Bryan in the back seat, engrossed in work

project in years, a venture crucial to its international presence. Bryan was truly busy with his work. That morning alone, Eileen had delivered documents for his signature twice, in addition to bringing

2 p.m. and an evening dinner event,” she informed him, suggesting a brief

up, he remarked, “If you can handle your

had left her feeling far from her best. “Then I’ll leave you to lunch,” she said

encountered Judie and several other employees. Judie released the arm of the person beside her and hurried over to Eileen, taking her by the hand. “What luck running into you here! Join me for

them, their flattery directed at Eileen due

would also be a great chance for us to learn about the upcoming

use you; we’re simply hoping you might share

she found herself agreeing to

toward Eileen. Compliments on her style were

Warren? Why hasn’t Mr. Dawson divorced his

unfavorably, but Mr. Dawson’s

to Eileen. She studied Eileen’s expression before saying, “We’re at the office for

retreat into silence from the group, accompanied

Judie’s gaze, offered a smile. “That’s a matter for Mr. Dawson to address. I

missing the chance to underline her closeness with Eileen to the others. This wasn’t new to

receptionist greeted Eileen and said, “Miss

the reception desk, a crease forming between her brows as

Lane initially, but since nobody was home, it got redirected here,”

address for package deliveries. Moreover, a redirection

do you live on Springvale

so close to our office, and even the least expensive

astonishment, their eyes wide as they looked

Here’s the corrected text:

salary, yet affording a place in Springvale Lane implied saving every penny of her income for years, assuming no