Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 200

Chapter 200:

In the picture, Eileen was dressed in light-pink casual attire, her long hair elegantly pinned up. Her refined features and bright smile made Bryan’s heart flutter.

Eileen paused for a moment, then reached for her phone to review her recent chat history with Bryan. He had a routine of texting her every day—three times during the day and once late at night. His messages were concise, typically inquiring whether she had eaten or alerting her to the changing weather in Wist Land.

Eileen’s responses were equally succinct. She replied to every message, though her answers often amounted to a simple “Okay.” The last message she had received from Bryan had come that morning; he hadn’t messaged at noon, and now it was already eight on Christmas Eve.

Images of Bryan looking lonely flashed through Eileen’s mind, weighing heavily on her heart. Pressing her lips together, she stood up.

“You can all continue without me. I need to step away for a call.” She gestured to her chair, offering it to Raymond. “Take over in the card game for me. Whatever happens, win or lose, it’s on me. Play boldly.”

By the French window, Eileen watched as fireworks burst in the sky, their myriad colors illuminating the night. She initiated a video call to Bryan, and he answered almost immediately.

He appeared to be walking; the backdrop of his home setting was visible. In the background, Eileen occasionally caught snippets of Stella and Zola talking. Their voices dwindled into silence as Bryan ascended the stairs, the lighting accentuating the contours of his face, making them appear more defined than usual.

After entering the room and shutting the door, he said, “Seems like your conscience is weighing on you, doesn’t it?”

Bryan’s messages to Eileen were often filled with unspoken affection, yet her terse replies left him feeling let down time and again. He considered that Eileen’s excitement about Ruby’s discharge from the hospital might be distracting her. He understood this but resolved that his patience would last only a day.

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“Not at all,” Eileen responded, her hands resting on the handrail. “You’ve stolen my heart. Until you return it, finding my conscience seems an impossible task.”

Bryan froze for a moment, then his lips slowly curved into a smile. “I had no idea you were such a skilled flirt.” It was a rare moment to hear such sweet nothings from her, far removed from their usual talk. Although Bryan could see Eileen’s cheeks flush a deep red, he chose not to mention it.

“Planning to stay up late tonight?” Eileen shifted the conversation away from sweetness, something she wasn’t comfortable with. She had missed him earlier, prompting her affectionate words. She also wanted to make up for not being attentive throughout the day.

“We don’t usually do that here. But if you’re staying up, I’ll join you,” Bryan replied. He flicked on the light and positioned himself in front of the French window, his gaze drifting to the fireworks illuminating the sky.

mom has to turn in early tonight. Here, it’s a tradition to stay up on Christmas Eve. Phoebe, Raymond, and Milford are all here—it’s quite the festive evening,” Eileen said. This Christmas held significant meaning for her. She had officially become

here.” Regret shimmered in her clear eyes as she playfully pouted, leaving Bryan momentarily breathless. He felt a strong desire to rush to her

back to Onaland?” The project in Wist Land was temporary.

strategically well-placed.” Once they overcame the current challenges, her agency was poised to gain

would need both time and expertise to establish and expand her agency

Bailee still kept in contact with Huey. Both Bailee and Huey were quite young, with Huey placing a high value on his pride. He was unlikely to declare his feelings without someone’s encouragement. Bailee had been visibly saddened and disheartened since Huey’s departure

Eileen intended to move back to Onaland since he was

Milford urging her to return to their card game. Raymond was inexperienced at the game, and Milford, who

but don’t hang up,” Bryan told Eileen as he settled into his study, seemingly focused

phone into her pocket and returned to the living room to rejoin the card game. As the clock neared eleven in the evening,

alert them. After Ruby drifted off to sleep, Eileen and

remembered something and quickly retrieved her phone from her pocket. By chance, Bryan was also looking at her through

responded with a smile, her heart warming at his familiar voice. After that, everyone retired to their rooms

message from Huey sent at midnight. “Merry Christmas. Wishing

their video call; it lasted until their phone batteries depleted, disconnecting early in the morning. With no other relatives in Wist Land,

the fourth day, Adalina mentioned a classmate reunion and asked if

want to go, right?” Eileen asked, easily discerning

along. They’re meeting in a club, and it’s not safe for her to go

go ahead. I’ll organize a get-together with

going by himself. Earlier, she had planned a dinner with

to his room to

door, she was greeted by a crowd of youthful faces. Inside, over twenty teenagers, aged around sixteen to seventeen, welcomed Milford

room reserved for her colleagues. Shortly after, her colleagues began to arrive, though a few had made excuses for

trust you. Obviously, you didn’t plagiarize. But why haven’t you taken steps to quell the rumors? We just can’t wrap our heads around it,” a seasoned teacher said

bombarding us on WhatsApp over the break. You should see the agitation in the parents’ group chat. Some of the more irate ones have even

were still in the mood to visit your boyfriend,” someone else