Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 181

Chapter 181:

Eileen planned to ignore Benjamin’s message and put her phone away. However, the man beside her made a casual remark that disrupted her thoughts. “You should reply to the message; it’d be rude not to,” Bryan said calmly.

Bryan thought since Eileen had read the message, it would be rude not to reply. Besides, he believed she should know how to respond to that. His demeanor suggested indifference as he adjusted the dishes on the table.

Despite his nonchalant demeanor, his gaze remained fixed on her phone, betraying his underlying interest. It was clear that responding to Benjamin’s message couldn’t be postponed any longer.

The reason Eileen hesitated to reply in front of Bryan was that she didn’t want to tell Benjamin anything about her current relationship with Bryan, wary of any information reaching Kian. It wasn’t rooted in fear but rather in caution; it was wise to tread carefully.

However, omitting any mention of her relationship with Bryan in her reply might not suffice to satisfy him. Eileen cast a glance at Bryan, realizing she had no choice but to respond to Benjamin’s message with him watching. So, she did.

“Seek mutual affection, not just favorable circumstances.” This had always been her guiding principle.

After sending the message, she peeked up, watching Bryan’s reaction. His eyes scanned the screen briefly before he disappeared into the kitchen. Then, he returned, carrying cutlery in silence and taking his seat. Was this his subtle way of saying he was satisfied with Eileen’s reply?

Feeling resigned, Eileen settled down to eat alongside him. Then, a thought struck her. “I’m gearing up for Zola’s test this weekend. I don’t know if I’ll pass,” she said.

“With your skills, you’ll ace it,” Bryan replied, oozing confidence in her abilities.

“Thanks, but I still get nervous thinking about it. I know I’ll have to put in all my efforts in the coming days,” Eileen said. This was her way of saying that she wanted to go to bed earlier in the future, at least not wasting half the morning catching up on sleep like today.

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Bryan paused, his fork suspended in mid-air. With a subtle lift of his eyelids, he said, “Your worry is kind of pointless, don’t you think? Save your thoughts for stuff that actually matters.”

Was he implying that she needed to focus on him instead? Eileen considered his words, then asked with a serious tone, “But considering we’re already together, is it really necessary for me to make extra efforts for you? Seems like it would be a waste of time.”

After all, she wasn’t striving to win his favor, pursue him, or captivate his attention any longer…

Bryan found himself at a loss for words. He knitted his brows together, his dark eyes fixed on Eileen, anger burning within him.

kidding!” Eileen, skilled at deciphering emotions, broke into a smile, trying to lighten Bryan’s mood. The sparkle in her eyes betrayed her playful

were together, she felt comfortable enough to tease Bryan, revealing more of her true

conversation with Phoebe over the phone. Phoebe’s curiosity led her

find the time to meet with Phoebe amidst her busy schedule? Despite Eileen’s reservations, Phoebe decided to pay Eileen a visit at the

about wasting time on the test as a jest, assuming he would understand her perspective. However, reality revealed that the notion of understanding her

gently filtered into the room, casting faint shadows across the floor, Eileen found herself attempting to keep quiet due to the poor

have required so much effort for him to guide her now. His firm grasp enveloped her soft

point of exhaustion as he had done the previous night. The next morning, Eileen stood before her wardrobe, holding several scarves in her hands, deliberating over which one to wear to hide the

boyfriend today. She let out a resigned sigh. Fortunately, it was not strange to wear a silk

and Bryan stepped into the elevator, where they encountered the neighbor, a couple. Unaware of the woman’s secretive glances at Bryan, Eileen

imposing stature and straight

loomed large, commanding attention. As the elevator doors slid open, Bryan strode out confidently, hand-in-hand with Eileen, leaving the couple

at night. Glancing in the rearview mirror, Eileen caught glimpses of the couple’s glances, feeling a pang of discomfort as she absentmindedly fiddled with her

its inadequate soundproofing, Eileen believed her place was becoming increasingly uninhabitable. Even

I’ve got to head to the hospital in the evening,”

mirror, smoothly maneuvering the steering wheel before responding, “Alright, I’ll take you there tonight. Give me a call when you go to Zola to take the test. I’ve got a surprise waiting for you when

remained inscrutable, leaving her wondering about his intentions. So Eileen just

away. Whether the thought slipped his mind or he was intentional, Eileen didn’t know. He parked directly in front of the education center, drawing

street away next time,” Eileen told Bryan as she reached

before she could, Bryan caught her wrist, gently pulling her back. His arm encircled her waist, drawing her closer. The scent of pine

hospital to see your mother?” Bryan asked.

at the hospital before, right?” Eileen said, recalling Bryan’s previous visit until Jacob, during which they had unexpectedly encountered Benjamin before

responded, “It’s different now.” During their previous visit, their relationship hadn’t been confirmed, and he hadn’t even spoken to her mother. Now, however, with

quite figured out how to broach the subject. She said, “Give me a bit more time. My mom is going through a critical recovery phase, and she still can’t communicate. If I reveal our

Ruby’s current state, Eileen worried that introducing Bryan into the equation might only exacerbate Ruby’s stress levels. With Ruby’s inability to vocalize her thoughts,

but eventually, he relented, saying,

reluctance to part, she blushed but said, “I’m going to be