Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 63

Chapter 63:

Harlan’s discomfort was immediate, given the blunt nature of his son’s inquiry. Taken aback, Eileen listened as Aaron clarified with earnestness, “I hope I haven’t crossed a line. I was wondering about Miss Curtis’s personal life—solely to avoid any imposition if she’s committed to her family or something.”

The underlying assumption was clear; Aaron’s directness sought to simplify, not complicate. Eileen, her cheeks warming slightly, took a moment before responding. “That’s very thoughtful of you. To be clear, I am married.”

“What?” Harlan’s shock was palpable. “Miss Curtis, there’s no need for pretense on your part—not at the expense of your integrity.”

Yet Eileen said with sincerity, “No, it’s the truth. I am indeed married.”

Harlan’s features were etched with disappointment. He pressed his lips together and offered Aaron a bitter smile.

Aaron gave a look to his father before pivoting to discuss his academic pursuits. During the dinner, Aaron and Eileen’s conversation mostly revolved around Aaron’s educational endeavors. Harlan, attempting to maintain his composure, seemed to be disappointed.

Alone with his wine, Harlan would occasionally steal glances at Aaron and Eileen, his expression a bittersweet tapestry of melancholy and acceptance.

Midway through dinner, Aaron excused himself to use the restroom. Harlan’s face had already flushed from the wine. He carried his glass over and settled next to Eileen.

“Are you actually married, Ms. Curtis?” he asked.

He knitted his brows together. Though forty, he seemed younger in his uncertainty. Eileen subtly moved her chair back to create some distance between them.

“Indeed, Mr. Clarkson. I am married,” she said.

Harlan sighed and reclined in his chair, glancing over his shoulder to ensure Aaron’s absence.

He spoke softly, a note of realization in his voice. “I’m beginning to see why Aaron’s performance at school is declining. An altercation with his peers left him labeled as one without a mother, which must have cut deep.”

Eileen had been privy to Aaron’s yearning for a mother.

Harlan cracked a slight grin and shared his thoughts. “He hopes you will fill that role. Yet, it might be best for you to stay as his mentor. If you were to become his stepmother and he didn’t like you anymore once we’re living together, it could complicate things.”

Eileen nodded. “You’re right.”

Taking a deep breath, Harlan met Eileen’s gaze. “What if you were his godmother?” he proposed.

Eileen was momentarily speechless. That seemed far-fetched, given she was not old enough to be Aaron’s godmother.

Harlan quickly added, “No need for worries. There’s no financial burden on you, and you wouldn’t be stepping into a parental role. Your guidance in his education is what we value. You could also be a friend and mentor.”

knitted her brows

to his original seat. “Give it some thought, and let me know your decision when we

sooner had he finished than Aaron

eating, Harlan

declined with a polite hand wave. “Really, Mr. Clarkson, I’ll manage. The last bus will pick me up

take you to the bus stop

his offer and slid into

a figure lingered by a window on the second floor. He had a lit cigarette in hand, casting a faint

Eileen’s form, which the streetlight faintly outlined. She and Harlan

lingering on Eileen as she laughed and chatted. Then,

flaring briefly as he exhaled,

a frown, he adjusted his

emerged and approached him. “Aren’t

dinner tonight was off when Eileen left. But I heard the client loved this restaurant, so I booked

her concern. “It’s okay.” He put his cigarette out and tossed it into the trash can, offering

stop, Eileen alighted from Harlan’s vehicle just as a bus

reflecting her peaceful enjoyment of the night’s stillness. As the bus made its way to a quieter part of town,

her peace.

disturb you at this late

her hold on the phone tightening.

for a while and replied, “She’s okay, but I

do you mean?”

air danced through her hair, streetlights casting

bit more than the previous one, but less than the standard treatment. The trial should last a few more months. But the director of the hospital suddenly asked me to change the price of the medication to that of the standard one,” Emilio said. After a pause, he added, “Her care

thousand dollars a month before had already stretched her

led me to believe the hospital wanted to end the trial sooner. But it turned out

heavy silence fell before Eileen mustered a response. “I’ll sort it

is crucial. If you still want her to use this medication,

he

window, Eileen’s gaze was distant,

held only a hundred

after their intimate evenings this week. Torn, she agonized over what to

an alternative. She intended to broach the subject with Bryan soon, figuring the right time might be in private moments. But Bryan was absent from

Group, Eileen’s eyes found Bryan behind his office table. There

Vivian’s desk and set down a box. “Don’t skip breakfast,” he reminded her. “I’ve

her eyes meeting Eileen’s for a moment. Eileen turned away,

move. Eileen had to let the door open. “You seem under the weather, Ms. Curtis. Anything on your mind?” Kian’s voice held a