Chapter 133
Sullivan returned to his villa just shy of 11 p.m.
As he stepped into the foyer, the maid approached him, her voice a whisper, “Welcome home, sir! Shall I prepare a late–night snack for you?”
Shrugging off his coat and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt, Sullivan replied in a subdued tone, “Just a plate of plain pasta, please. Is Madam already in bed?”
The maid, with respectful hands, took his coat and softly confirmed, “She had a light supper, played piano for a bit, and hasn’t come down since.”
“Understood,” Sullivan muttered.
As the maid disappeared, Sullivan settled at the dining table, reached out to open the French doors, and lit up a cigarette, taking slow drags. In the pale wisps of smoke, he remembered how Megan used to wait for him at home, always with a spread of dishes or a batch of fresh–baked cookies, eager for him to taste even a single bite, which would delight her for hours.
The dining table was just as empty now as it had been back then. Only now, it was Sullivan who sat there alone.
Lost in thought, when the maid brought the pasta, Sullivan absentmindedly said, “Sit down, join me.”
After a moment of silence and no response, Sullivan looked up, startled to find that it was just the maid by his side, not Megan.
Sullivan abruptly closed his eyes, trying to ease the sting of pain. It must be the lights that were too harsh, he thought…
After finishing his meal, he went upstairs to bed.
Sullivan’s steps were light as he ascended, careful not to wake Megan, who was enveloped in the dimness of their bedroom.
Feeling a profound sense of loss, he yearned to hold her. When he finally did, Megan’s voice softly pierced the darkness, “Sullivan, are you in the mood?”
He stiffened slightly.
Then Megan began to undress. The ties of her silk nightgown loosened, revealing her pale, delicate skin clad in black silk lingerie, gleaming faintly in the soft light.
Sullivan’s desires had always been strong, but tonight, he just wanted to hold her. Megan, however, had other ideas. She would prefer a purely physical exchange and even pragmatically suggested, “If you’re going to do this, make it quick. I’m tired. And… remember to use protection.”
Her words struck Sullivan like a slap to the face.
His cheeks burning hotter than any daylight sun, he sat up slightly and asked through gritted teeth, “Megan, do you really think that’s all I want from you?”
With her back to him, her tone was indifferent, “What else is there?”
A chill settled in Sullivan’s heart.
Sullivan’s life became hollow. He would come home every night, dine with her, and share the same bed. They made love once or twice, but Megan was silent throughout, her face buried in the pillow, offering no response. It felt like a solitary act for Sullivan, leaving him unsatisfied and empty after the physical release.
Cora must have sensed something was amiss, calling once, but Megan brushed her off with a few words, softly assuring her that Sullivan had been very attentive lately and came home every night.
Cora was thrilled, repeatedly saying how good it was to have him home.
But Megan was not happy.
The strain was wearing her thin. In just a few weeks, she seemed as though she had been through a serious illness, her delicate face now even more strikingly refined. Sometimes, Sullivan thought she might shatter under his touch.
Eventually, Megan began to pull through. She threw herself into her work, established her own studio, and started preparing for Paxton’s Global Classical Concert. Occasionally, she accepted media interviews, smiling at reporters, “Please, don’t call me Mrs. Lowry. Ms. Quigley will do.”
She was radiant in magazine and newspaper photos.
Sullivan often found himself staring at her image in his office, lost in thought until Bianca would have to call his name several times before he snapped back to reality.
He wanted to reconcile, but Megan was unwilling. They continued to live together, yet apart.
10:30
Chapter 133
By early December, the last traces of autumn had gone..
Lucia returned from Crossover City, likely having heard rumors from Timothy. She immediately sought out Megan, taking her to a bar to unwind and promising to show her a slice of life.
