Chapter 1812


    The door creaked open, and all eyes turned to the source of the unexpected knock


    “Excuse me, is this Mr Morrison’s residence? A woman’s voice floated in tentatively


    Amid the hush of the room, the woman at the threshold hesitated, her gaze finally settling on the


    cluster of people inside. She seemed taken aback by the crowd, her eyes betraying a flicker of


    surprise


    Мола


    At the sight of Mona, a chill swept through Roses heart, colder than anything she’d felt before. Even


    with the recent vows they had exchanged, Morrisons indifference toward her had never stung as


    sharply as it did now c2


    Of all the times, of all the ces, Mona should not have appeared here, in the home she shared


    with Morrison


    Momson’s brow furrowed at the sight of Mona His tone though still strained was noticeably softer


    than before


    “What brings you here?” he asked his voiceced with a hint of restraint


    Caught in an awkward moment, Mona stepped inside, hesitating Theard you were ill and


    hospitalizedst night, and when I went to the hospital today, they said you had been discharged.


    So I came to see how you were doing I was worried.


    Rose stood firm, refusing to show weakness before Mona. Her pride wouldn’t allow it. She might


    ept defeat in her private moments, but she would never let Mona see


    her crumble


    How did Mona know where she and Momson lived? Unless Monson had told her But why would


    he? They had never discussed their home address in such detail


    Trying to keep herposure, Rose closed her eyes briefly convincing herself that Momson had no


    reason to share such information with Mona Winston, who’d been quietly observing let out a


    derisive snort, pulling Rose back to the painful reality.


    All her anger at Momson, all her feelings for him seemed to wither in that instant. What was she


    holding on to?


    Mona had a stronghold in Momson’s heart–Rose knew that She had told herself to try, to persist, to


    love Manson more openly, believing that her earnest affections would eventually yield even the


    smallest of reciprocations.


    For a moment, she had thought they were on the right track. Living under the same roof, they could


    be like any other couple–a world of their own, intimate and unguarded.


    But then Morrison had casually insinuated something unspeakable between her and Winston. How


    could she not care? How could she not feel reduced to nothing?


    Would he have said such things if Mona were in her ce? Rose doubted it


    She took a deep breath and, as she exhaled her eyes met Morrisons–empty, devoid of sorrow, joy,


    or anger, and yet brimming with indescribable emotions


    As she opened her mouth to speak, Winston’s hand found hers “You need to calm down Come with


    me”


    Confused, she looked at him, but Winston was already guiding her towards the door


    Morrison’s eyes darkened, his hand reaching out for Rose, but Winston intercepted.


    “Once you ve sorted out your issues, we can talk about Rose Winston said pointedly “Remember


    what I said earlier. it’s important”


    If Momson hurt her if she regretted her choices, Winston would be the first to take her away


    Momson hesitated, but his possessiveness wouldn’t allow Winston to just whisk Rose away. “You


    want to leave? Fine, but you go alone!”


    It was then that the elderly Mrs Morrison intervened ‘Mr Winston please take Rose out of here. We


    have some matters to resolve”


    Despite the concern Winston’s words had stirred in her, Mrs. Morrison preferred that Rose find


    sce with him if Morrison couldn’t settle things with Mona. No woman could tolerate her beloved


    entangled with another


    If Morrison couldn’t clear the air, then letting go was the only option. No one should settle for less.


    Morrison’s gaze never left Rose as he spoke her name–a stern warning in just a word. The


    implication was clear leaving with Winston could lead to unforeseen


    consequences


    But Rose was past caring about ying the dutiful hostess to an unwee guest. Her heart


    wasn’t big enough for that yet


    Without a word she shrugged off Winston’s hand and said softly. “I need some air


    As she passed Mona the other woman’s womed gaze met hers Rose, is something wrong?


    Rose mustered a half–hearted smile Make yourself at home”


    The simple phrase cared an unintended weight, hinting at a future where it might take on a different


    meaning


    With that, Rose grabbed her coat and stepped out into the crisp air closing the door behind her. The


    sight of her retreating figure gave off an eene sense of finality, as if the was walking away from more


    than just the house


    Monson felt a tightness in his chest as he was about to step forward and follow, but Mona suddenly


    spoke up. “Morrison are you okay health–wise”


    The step he was taking halted and his gaze, which had been fixed on the door, shifted to Mona


    His expression didnt lighten. Tm fine How did you find your way here?”


    Winston let out a low mocking chuckle, Tve got other fish to try I’ll be off


    Momson’s gaze shot towards him, but Winston just shed him a grin. “You seem to have your


    hands full right now, probably can’t look after everyone


    It was a matter of priorities now


    The irony of his words was crystal clear to Megan and Molly


    Juggling two women at once did he think he had the ability to clone himself, or perhaps he fancied


    himself to have the powers of some mythic with multiple arma


    It was a choice of sacrifice and gain, let go of one to hold onto another, that was the inevitable


    oue


    Winston left without a moments hesitation


    Mona stood there, a picture of bewilderment, but as she walized they were the only sows left in the


    liang room, a wave of embarrassment washed over her


    Casting a nce at the elderlydy standing behind Momson, her eyes darted away and she


    shrank bark slightly


    She looked unmistakably frightened


    Megan, her face a thundercloud, took a couple of steps forward with her cane, her demeanor icy


    with indignation.


    “Mona, long time no see!”


    Mona bit her lip. “It’s been a while


    “I had thought we’d never cross paths again in this lifetime.”


    Mona’s face twisted ufortably, “Neither did I expect to bump into you here.”


    Megan snorted, “Mona, there’s something called decency You should know what’s appropriate in do


    and where it’s appropriate to go! Do you realize where you am7′′


    “Mona’s eyes flicked to Momson in a swift plea for support. ” just heard Momson was rushed to the


    hospitalst night and I was worned so I came to check on him.


    “Mona.” Molly interjected her voice stillced with a poised gentleness that contrasted the situation


    “This is my son and daughter inw’s home. I’m not sure how you found your way here but this


    ce is open to everyone except you specifically You are Momson’s ex–girlfriend and he is a


    married man now Your very presence could shatter a perfectly happy home hurting innocent people


    Even if there’s nothing between you two now how do you expect his current wife to feel about you


    being here? Moreover Mons, you have no right, no standing to worry about Momson ven if he were


    to pass away you would not be invited to his funeral!”


    Molly’s words were perhaps the harshest she had ever spoken, directly echoing the sentiments


    Megan had always held but seldom voiced


    Mona’s face turned beet red her attempt at a rebuttal stifled by Molly’s relentless monologue


    Unable to bear the humiliation, her eyes reddened with suppressed tears. “Does our past


    rtionship mean we have to deny our friendship from school as we


    Molly’s response was devoid of the sympathy that usually characterized her, nodding coldly as if her


    heart had turned to ice


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    “Yes, once there’s been a rtionship, there can be no friendship. How many people do you know


    who stay friends after a breakup?”


    Mona nced at Momson, but Molly continued


    “Maybe you think such friendships can exist But i can tell you with certainty, those who remain


    friends after parting ways are either afraid to bum bridges for their benefit still harbor ulterior


    motives or


    It’s because neither party truly invested their feelings! Without real emotional input, they can easily


    maintain a friendship Otherwise, there’s no such thing as friends after a breakup This isn’t a


    multiple–choice question it’s the additional factors that lead to such hypocritical oues”


    After finishing Molly gave Mona a dismissive nce, then slowly added, “Mona, which category do


    you fall into?”


    Mona paled


    What was Mornson’s status now?


    The only heir to the illustrious Witt family, the helmsman of Witt Co


    How many women craved his attention?


    If she imed she had no designs on him it would only make her seem all the more deceitful


    Because she wasn’t a Rose, not a heiress of any grand estate, so her interest in Mornson could


    only be seen as opportunistic, vying for his wealth and the Witt family name behind him. She had no


    right to im feelings.


    As for having no emotional investment, she could be sure of herself, but Molly’s words were a clear


    reminder, if not a taunt


    But why?


    Momson had sided with her once, what made her think he hadrit truly cared for her?


    Her gaze shifted to Morrison, only to find him staring out the living room’s French windows, his face


    dark with brooding thoughts.


    It was as if she or even the room itself didn’t exist to him.


    Her heart chilled inexplicably, her grip tightening on the purse slung over her shoulder


    “Aunt Molly I can’t choose any of the options you’ve given me if you insist I have ulterior motives, or


    question why I haven’t openly confronted you, it is that Momison and were once ssmates, once


    friends


    Molly regarded her for a few seconds. “Which is why I advise you to know your limits. Clinging to a


    married man, unting your presence in front of his wide ce you on the same rung as those so–


    called innocents of today?”


    Monasplexion tumed a ghastly shade of pale


    At that moment Momson turned back to her frowning. “I’m alright now thanks for your concem I’ve


    got things to handle you should head back


    He seemed oblivious to the gravity of Molly’s conversation with Mona After speaking he strode


    toward the door the breeze from his passing without even changing his shoes or taking off his coat


    and stepped out into the world beyond.


    “Momsons got some smarts (1) give him that but his IQ and EQ might as well be from different


    nets


    it was a while before Molly spoke again her voice a man whisper in the room. I’ve always doted on


    Monson


    of anyone saying a crossword about tam Whatever he decides i usually let him run with it. So why


    do you think i havent


    drama why haven ) ( just let fum have his way Do you know why?”


    Mona’s lips turned up in a why sad smile it’s the age–old story cunt #? Our backgrounds shing.


    You just i


    Molly shook her head a gentle gesture meant to dispel the notion You’re wrong is not about you nut


    my son and know him better than anyone else


    Monas gue was steady searching What are you maying


    A faint amale yed on Molly’s lips Morgon dogsert tom you


    The message on the screen hed with a mix of sarcasm and hut. How much must (


    you all forgotten my darling perfect Moman? My poor heart aches!


    ise Monson to have soled hum


    Molly cracked a why smile. “Morrison? He’s never been in love with you