The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

She began to grow nervous at his prolonged silence.

“Are you still there, Mister? You didn’t faint, did you?”

“No.” Nico closed his eyes wearily. “I’m exhausted and would like to take a nap,” he murmured.

“No! Don’t fall asleep!”

She banged madly on the wall to keep him awake. “You’re badly hurt, and you might never wake up if you fall asleep!”

Nico was amused.

Having been training in the barracks with Cedrick from a young age, he would not die that easily.

Aside from Cedrick and Gwendolyn, she was the first person who cared so deeply for him without knowing who he was. It gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling.

“Mister? Are you asleep? Or are you almost dead?”

An urgent hammering on the wall sounded again.

“No.”

She heaved a sigh of relief. “I’ll keep you company if you’re feeling sleepy. Would you like to hear a story?”

“Do you know any scary ones?”

“Uh… Aren’t we living through one right now?”

Nico gazed weakly about the cell and chuckled.

Indeed, it was quite eerie.

“I know some morbid jokes, Mister.”

“This dungeon is morbid enough.”

“Mine are more morbid than that.”

Bonding over their chat, the pair passed a pleasant half an hour in each other’s company.

stopped when the doctor, who was arranged by Charles, arrived to administer

Charles sent Gwendolyn back to the

the area she was permitted access

did not complain, nor was she displeased. She only asked him for

regard to her meals, however, Charles did his best

symptoms of morning sickness and drowsiness—signs of hormonal imbalance. In response, Charles employed a female gynecologist who would show up every afternoon to examine her and

day at noon, Charles received a summon

“Mother.”

stood dutifully before her across the coffee

expression. “Be honest with me. Is the child in the belly of the woman you brought—that

momentarily taken aback. Keeping his gaze fixed on the ground, he answered,

lying

overturned her unfinished cup to the ground. The coffee splashed onto her

the coffee table was lined with carpet, the

coffee table, knelt beside her, and wiped her

watched his act of devotion, Kylie felt her rage subside. She spoke again, employing a

Charlie! I’ve done some digging and found that she is engaged in Chanaea. Besides,

head

good impression she had of

worthy of you. What did she do to you to

wiped her fingers diligently.

could be when he made up his mind, so she

Mother!” Charles looked up at once. “I

averted his gaze, and his voice seemed to wilt with defeat. “It will damage her body to put her through an abortion. I would like

the child? Do you want this stain on your honor for as long as you live? You won’t feel the same love for the child as you would

sore spot Charles had kept suppressed over the

one, Mother? You did this, too, didn’t you? Does that make you, in your own words, a

“You little sh*t!”

shock. Enraged, she

to whom she owed so much and

sorry for causing you so

hand and smiled. “It’s all right. It didn’t

crying foul at

been through, Charlie, you should know that it

want to answer her, as he