Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 24

Chapter 24:

As Bryan sipped his coffee, he noticed that Eileen had succumbed to sleep at the table. Her black hair framed her face, while a pen dangled from her hand, its tip just grazing her skin, leaving a faint mark.

Bryan called for a brief recess. “Let’s take a five-minute break.”

He rose, gently picked Eileen up, and laid her down on the bed. Drawing the blanket over her, he carefully removed the ink from her nose, a tenderness in his actions that went unnoticed by himself.

Unaware of how long the meeting had stretched on, Eileen fluttered her eyes open to the light washing over her. The laptop on the coffee table was closed, and Bryan had left. Murmurs and distant laughter drifted in. Eileen checked the time and realized that she only had an hour left before returning to work.

She swiftly prepared herself to face the day and began to organize her departure.

Amid the light-hearted banter in the park, Eileen searched for Bryan, her attention interrupted by Jacob’s urgent voice from behind.

“Eileen, you need to get to Bryan’s suite immediately. There is a situation I’m not equipped to handle,” Jacob said.

Eileen left her belongings with her colleagues and made her way to the top floor. The elevator doors opened to a quiet hall, broken only by muted weeping from Bryan’s room.

The door stood ajar, revealing Bryan’s silhouette framed by the slender arms of a woman clutching him. His stance was passive, and Vivian’s sobs filled the room.

“Bryan, have your feelings for me changed? I’ve tried so hard. What’s causing this distance? You’ve been deliberately avoiding me. You’d rather spend the night working in a room with Eileen than come back to the room with me…”

Bryan kept his composure. “Calm down. I had a meeting last night.”

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“Don’t deceive me. Who could possibly force you into a meeting? You did that on purpose! Is this about what happened six years ago when I left? Are you still upset about that? I know I was wrong; I’m ready to give up everything for you. Please, let me be with you. If not, I don’t know how to make it right!”

Vivian’s grasp around his waist tightened.

To Eileen, it felt like those hands weren’t just clutching Bryan’s waist but also her heart. Why else would she feel this awful?

Bryan’s next words sliced through

need you to make

Who is she? Have you fallen for her?” Vivian released him,

his words gentle as he spoke. “No one can compare to you. If I marry you, how could I touch you? Before that, I must protect you. That’s how

over her as she stood there, unable to fully process their conversation. Vivian seemed deeply touched, convinced of Bryan’s considerate gesture of waiting until

hard—she was merely a tool to satisfy his needs in Bryan’s eyes, not worthy of

step felt like a blow to Eileen’s already bruised heart. She had hoped, perhaps

from Vivian, Eileen had dared to hope she was special to him. But

open the door to the hallway, sunlight

broke through her thoughts. “The bus

to the plan and board the bus. Go ahead

hurried off. Eileen steadied herself with a deep breath, taking two steps

her elbow crashing into the wall, a

came swiftly. Suddenly, recognition dawned

familiarity, a sound Eileen had heard several times over the past few days. Rubbing her throbbing elbow, Eileen looked up. The young man before her sported

“You’re…” Eileen began.

embarrassment. He hadn’t intended to reveal his identity here, but his slip of the tongue couldn’t be undone. “You are staying at my family’s resort. My parents manage the

rubbed her sore arm, mustering

folks leaving too? The resort’s all empty, so I’m off as well.” Huey twirled the car keys in his hand. “Did you arrive by bus? How about hitching a ride with me? Would your boss

the elevator. Vivian had reverted to her delicate, charming self, while Bryan was dragging

catch something. Abruptly, he cast his gaze in Eileen’s direction. Eileen swiftly lowered her head, with Huey’s figure

you up on the offer,” Eileen replied to Huey. “I can

money for that?” Huey’s tone held a hint of offense. “It wouldn’t sit right to charge you for a lift to Oneland. Plus, if my mom got wind of

“Let me give my

before heading for

Jacob sitting together. Seeing her, Jacob shuffled to make room. “Feel free to join us here. I’m here to take care of Vivian since

pleasure to sit with you. However…” Her gaze shifted to Bryan. “Mr. Dawson, I bumped into a friend. I won’t be taking the bus back. Just thought I’d

something amiss,

her luggage at the intersection for