09-52
Chapter 144
Sullivan wanted to start over with Megan, and it wasn’t just about making amends. He longed to be with her because, as he’d said, they’d had their share of good times–joy he’d never felt with anyone else. He desired Megan, and that was the bottom line.
But Megan didn’t want to continue the conversation. She lazily brushed him off, “Aren’t you supposed to meet Cressida? Why aren’t you beading down?”
Sullivan detected an air of indifference in
i
in her to
The feeling was far from pleasant, Megan didn’t care about him anymore. She didn’t even flinch at the mention of Cressida’s arrival. Her emotions were tucked away so neatly, as if to say he wasn’t worthy of them.
Cressida’s health was looking grim. She had coerced the nurses to bring her over, threatening them with her dire condition–a secret even to Dahlia.
She waited in the parlor for what felt like an elemity, her ears catching the faintest noises from upstairs. Sullivan was with Megan on the second floor, those sounds could only be coming from them.
Cressidas pretty face tumed pale with distress. She couldn’t help but wonder, in the evening’s ambiance, if Sullivan would be making love to his wife if the mood was night?
Lost in thought, the door swung open, and Sullivan entered.
Cressida’s sharp eyes noticed a smear of lipstick on the collar of Sullivan’s crisp white shirt.
Her face grew even palec almost unable to stay seated!
She looked at Sullivan, her plea almost a wall, “Mr. Lowry, I beg you, I don’t want to go abroad. I want to stay in Borough City. If Mrs. Lowry can’t stand me, I can apologize and explain. I never intended to replace her.”
Sullivan signaled the medical staff to leave
Once they were alone, he spoke calmly. “This was my decision. Megan has nothing to do with it.”
Cressida didn’t believe him!
Tears glistened in her eyes as she said, “I explain to Mrs. Lowry I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I’m just in so much pain. Mr. Lowry, for old times sake, for the time I brought you back, don’t send me away. Let me stay by your side.”
In Cressida’s mind, Sullivan needed her. During the days when Sullivan kept her company, sometimes he’d fall asleep on the couch, and she’d cover him with a blanket, smoothing his furrowed brow as he slept. In those moments, she felt like his wife, their bond tinged with tragedy.
But Megan, she only knew how to enjoy life.
Megan would dress in fancy
y clothes, make herself look pretty, and spend Sullivan’s money. She didn’t truly love Sullivan
Only Cressida could offer Sullivan warmth.
But Sullivan had made up his mind. “Cressida, I did want to repay you back then, but it had nothing to do with affection! I’ve never had feelings for you! Not then, not now not ever.”
He was clear, “I’ve made arrangements. Once your condition stabilizes, you’ll go abroad.”
It would probably be at the beginning of next month.
Cressida’s eyes brimmed with tears, her dream shattered.
All her fantasies were punctured by Sullivan’s declaration of no affection. She felt like she was back in that summer when she’d shamefully pretended to be Megan to earn Sullivan’s gratitude.
Watching Sullivan leave, his eageress palpable, she knew his heart was with Megan.
“Mr. Lowry”
With tears in her eyes and a faint smile, Cressida whispered, “Before I go, I’d like to do a photoshoot. I might… never come back. It would be a keepsake.”
Sullivan’s heart softened. After a few seconds of consideration, he agreed, “Til have Bianca set it up for you.”
Cressida’s lips trembled as she tried to smile…
