Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 217

Chapter 217:

Ruby sat on the sofa, smiling warmly at Benjamin. She gestured for Eileen to invite Benjamin to sit and signaled Bailee to fetch some fruit.

Benjamin set down his gift and said gently, “Mrs. Curtis, I just stopped by and will be leaving shortly.”

Bailee eagerly urged him to stay. “Just stay a bit longer! It’s getting dark. You can have dinner with us and leave afterward. Your flight is tomorrow anyway.”

Ruby quickly nodded, her subtle movements clearly expressing her wish for Benjamin to stay longer.

“I can’t; I have some matters to deal with tonight,” Benjamin insisted, his tone firm.

Bailee and Ruby then turned to look at Eileen, expecting her to persuade Benjamin to stay. Feeling the weight of their gazes, Eileen snapped back to the moment. After a moment of thought, she said, “He has other plans. We can always have dinner together another time.”

Ruby looked at Eileen with disappointment, and Bailee appeared puzzled as to why Eileen didn’t try harder to convince Benjamin to stay.

Benjamin offered a resigned smile and said, “Let’s plan to have a meal together another time.”

After exchanging a few more words, he bid them farewell and asked, “Eileen, could you walk me out?”

“Of course.” Eileen stood up and accompanied Benjamin to the door.

It was early evening, and the neighborhood was illuminated by streetlights. Eileen was dressed in a shirt and jeans, her long hair tied back in a ponytail. Benjamin noticed how much more mature Eileen seemed compared to her college days, and he felt a greater distance between them than during their last encounter.

Start your next adventure at gαℓησv𝒆ℓs․com

“Have you decided to be with Bryan?” Benjamin stopped to look directly at Eileen.

Hearing that, Eileen paused and turned to face him. “Whatever decision I make, it’s after careful consideration, not on a whim.”

Benjamin studied her for a moment before letting out a deep sigh and looking away. “I can’t offer you my blessings. It seems we’re destined to be adversaries moving forward.”

“I won’t help you anymore. Take care of yourself.”

frankness was disarming; even if he were to do something unforgivable in the future, Eileen believed she might find

and for that, I’m thankful. If you need anything going forward, I’ll do my

setting boundaries. She chose

off, Eileen quickly texted Huey as she walked

to Onaland next Monday. Please look after her

responded almost instantly, his tone brimming with excitement as he asked how long Bailee would be staying in Onaland.

thoughts, Eileen’s unease persisted, prompting her to provide Bailee with further instructions. She urged Bailee to avoid the Warren family and

replied, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I might have forgotten that you and Benjamin have to sneak around

him a friend,” Eileen said without hesitation. “Think of him as just

acknowledged her with a nod.

was practicing walking by the windows, and suggested, “Spend more time with Mom tomorrow. I’ve arranged your flight for you, and I’ll drive you to the

the villa, the scent of cooking wafted through the air. She switched to her slippers and noticed Bryan in the kitchen. Several dishes were already

Before Eileen could step into the kitchen, Bryan stopped her. He remained focused on his cooking, not turning

me help

back against the cupboard, his gaze landing on Eileen’s

After a few seconds, she couldn’t

palpable. He remained motionless, a frown etching

but he declined,” Eileen replied, deliberately choosing words she knew Bryan wouldn’t like to hear. “He works

slightly narrowed, noticing even the faintest twitch of

“Haven’t you thought that being close to him might also bring you trouble?” His tone shifted from annoyance

her arms around his

about

felt warmth on her wrist as Bryan tried to pull her hand away, but she

joking,” she said, rising on her toes

replied, his tone gentler, “I’m not

up at his

could immediately tell that the man holding her

often feeling this way when

he’ll continue to work for Kian. He knows we’ll be at odds from now on. There’s nothing more between us,”

and red, moved as Bryan inhaled her subtle scent. He tightened his embrace around her slim waist, leaned down, and kissed her forehead gently. His kisses trailed from her forehead

The warm air from the soup swirled around them, and Bryan entertained the thought of having sex with Eileen