Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 20

Chapter 20:

Bryan extinguished his cigarette, the scent still lingering as he approached the window and drew the curtains. Looking over his shoulder, his voice carried a hint of reprimand. “I thought I mentioned breakfast was just for me; Vivian’s not up yet.”

Eileen’s reaction was muted, a clear acknowledgment of her overstep.

“Never mind, I’m tired from last night; I might as well eat for two,” Bryan said, catching her expression. He sat down and ate with a certain finesse.

A tightness formed in Eileen’s throat, making her words waver as she excused herself. “I should get going. Call me if you need anything.”

Without another glance, she departed, not catching the slight lift of Bryan’s gaze, which bore a complex mix of emotions.

As the door clicked shut behind her, a sigh escaped Eileen, a mix of relief and an ache spreading inside her. The experience, inevitable as it was, left her feeling more hollow than she had prepared for. The proximity of Bryan and Vivian weighed heavily on her chest, hard to ignore.

Forgoing the idea of returning to her room for rest, Eileen decided instead to seek reprieve in the fresh morning air. She stepped outside, taking a moment for herself—a rare indulgence in light of recent events.

With her colleagues out on the mountains, the resort grounds offered a tranquil refuge. Eileen found solace under the branches of a flowering tree while the nearby lake’s surface danced with the wind. Her mind was awash with thoughts she couldn’t quite place.

Time slipped quietly by, and with the approach of noon, fatigue nudged her toward the hotel’s restaurant. She decided to eat and rest in her room afterward.

It was there she noticed Bryan, Vivian, and Kian gathered at a table. Vivian beckoned her over with an eager wave. “Eileen, join us!”

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With a brief hesitation, Eileen made her way to them, offering a simple greeting to each of them.

Vivian’s lighthearted grumble broke the air. “I’m famished. Bryan here didn’t bother waking me for breakfast, and he finished everything you brought on his own.”

Bryan offered a half-hearted glance Eileen’s way before replying to Vivian, his voice tender. “You needed the rest, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Having steeled herself against the turmoil inside during her morning outdoors, Eileen managed a measured response. “Well, Miss Warren, make sure you have a hearty meal now.”

on Eileen thoughtfully, adding an unspoken depth to the

rosy glow from Bryan’s attentiveness. Leaning on his shoulder, her contentment was palpable. “I do need more sleep after our long night,” she

prompting Vivian to straighten. She seemed unfazed,

of

a courteous smile. “I’m not particularly hungry.

clear. “You’ve barely touched your food. Are you sure

I’m just not hungry now,” Eileen replied. Seeing that Bryan kept eating, she felt her heart sink. She quickly

enclosing her in solitude. As they sealed shut, Bryan’s voice reached her faintly, full of gentle prompts for Vivian

embrace, Eileen exhaled deeply, her gaze falling to the floor as reality settled heavily upon her. She believed she and Bryan were over now. She could deceive herself and accept that Bryan was in love with another woman. But she couldn’t accept

the team-building event concluded, she would resign. Maybe Bryan would ask her to leave before

stood Jacob, his appearance

her. “Yes, I’ve eaten. You

“You look a bit off. Was our noise too

games?” Eileen

in Bryan’s room,” Jacob replied. “It

laugh broke from Eileen’s lips, dispelling the weight she had been carrying. “No, I slept well

lowered his voice, a touch of curiosity threading his words. “Did Bryan fall in love with you or something? He seemed oddly distracted last night. Even when Vivian mentioned being tired, he ignored her request to end the game and go to sleep. It’s almost as if he did it intentionally.

a gentle shake of her head. “You’re reading too much into things. That’s not within

bored, quipped with a scoff, “It seems like you’re not charmed by Bryan at all. No wonder everyone says

without a backward glance. Jacob’s comment about heartlessness meant that she had hidden her

succumbed to the day’s exhaustion. After washing her face and changing into pajamas, she lay on the bed and fell

front desk, casual in demeanor. Noticing a young man absorbed in a game, he knocked on the desk and inquired about access to room 8809. The young man, without looking

reply came with a hint of annoyance. “I don’t have

“Sir, the records don’t list you as

Bryan said, “I’m the CEO of Apex Group. We’re here for a corporate retreat. We’ve reserved the

young man suddenly connected the dots—this was Bryan, head of the Apex Group, a VIP to be accommodated without question. He promptly retrieved the key card for room 8809 from the drawer and handed it

card and departed. The young man remained absorbed in his game, his agile fingers dancing across the screen. Suddenly,

away and swiftly searched for the guest’s check-in details on the

for assistance. The burning question now was… Why did Bryan, Eileen’s boss, need her room card? Thinking about this, Huey’s

head. A man’s warm lips trailed from the corner of her eye to her lips. The familiar scent stirred her from slumber.