While Miranda was out navigating the social scene, M kept herself busy in her own way.
Though confined by circumstance and unable to do much physically, she stayed in touch with her legal team, instructing them to keep a close watch on Lysander. She needed solid evidence of his infidelity, evidence so undeniable it would finally set her free from him, turning the tide in her favor.
She refused to ept her fate.
...
Friday afternoon arrived quickly.
As dinnertime approached, M noticed Adrian hadn''t returned from school. Concerned, she questioned Harper, the one who brought her meals, but Harper hesitated, avoiding her gaze.
M understood instantly.
Maintaining a calm demeanor, she sent Harper away. Her hand had healed enough that she could eat by herself.
When Lysander finished his work in the study, he made his way straight to the balcony, where a smallmp cast a warm glow.
Before he could reach the woman reclining gracefully in the rocking chair, her delicate arm pushed firmly against his chest, keeping him at bay.
M regarded the man who nearly enveloped her with a cool, slightly impatient expression. "I''d like to visit my mother-inw."
With Adrian not at home, she had no desire to be alone with Lysander. Besides, she genuinely missed her mother-inw.
Lysander, understanding her intent, said nothing. He propped his hands on either side of the chair, gazing intently at the woman beneath him, every inch of her stirring his desire.
They stayed like that, separated by only an arm''s length, neither moving.
The sunset painted the sky in shades of orange, casting a serene, intimate atmosphere.
After a long pause, M bit her lip and lowered her arm, though she was not inclined to let him have his way.
Lysander chuckled softly.
After a moment, he slipped his arm around her waist and, supporting himself with one hand on the chair, gently rolled into the seat beside her. Her soft form settled into his embrace like a cloud.
M hesitated for a brief moment, intending to get up, but his grip held her down. He gently squeezed her waist, his voice a low whisper in her ear.
"I won''t do anything. Just stay with me for a while."
M felt the tension in the air, biting her lip but ultimately not moving.
The balcony lights glowed softly.
The sunset beyond painted the horizon in hues of orange, the rocking chair swaying gently under its warm glow, creating an illusion of a loving couple enjoying the evening together.
In truth, she and Lysander had never shared such peaceful moments since their marriage. It was merely a facade of tranquility.
She closed her eyes, choosing not to watch the sunset.
...
At Sunnybrook Elementary, Adrian happily climbed into the car that came to pick him up, throwing himself into the arms of the woman waiting in the back seat.
"Giselle!"
His father had insisted hee straight home after school to be with his mother, so he hadn''t seen Giselle in days. Naturally, he was delighted to see her again.
Giselle hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. "I''ll take you out this weekend. Does that make you happy?"
"Very happy!"
As the car started to move, Giselle nced out the window, surprised not to see a familiar face.
"Where''s that new friend of yours?"
Whenever she and Lysander picked Adrian up from school, they would often run into Nathaniel Pembroke with his child, exchanging pleasantries. But today, he was nowhere to be found.
"Oh, you mean Julian Pembroke?"
Adrian''s expression fell slightly. “He hasn''t been around for a while. The teacher said he''s sick and took a long leave. He won''t being back for now."
Having exchanged gifts, the two were friends of sorts. It was disheartening for Adrian that his new friend had fallen ill and wouldn''t be around, making him a bit sad.
Sick?
Recalling the oddness of that child and the messy family situation, Giselle wasn''t surprised, nor was she particrly concerned. She tousled Adrian''s hair, offering somefort before getting to what she really wanted to know.
"Adrian, has your mom beening hometely? Has she been arguing with your dad?"