Chapter 33


    Halfway through her meal, Leanne heard the front door open. Curtis had returned.


    He had the kind of chiseled features, a roguish charm that more reserved and steady Phillip could


    never im. Curtis carried an air of aristocratic nonchnce like a modern-day yboy with a touch of


    old money.


    The temperature had dropped even lower that day, and Curtis hadyered a ck overcoat over his


    grey suit, tempering his usual casualness with a dash of mature masculinity.


    Leanne was caught off-guard by his sudden return. She was momentarily frozen in ce, and by the


    time she collected herself, Curtis had already stepped inside, nonchntly tossing his coat over a


    dining chair’s backrest.


    He nced at the dishes on the table and a half-smile yed on his lips. “The grub has gone up a


    notch with Laura back in the kitchen.”


    Hisment made Laura beam with pride. “I thought you weren’ting back for dinner today. Ms.


    Leanne is nearly finished. I’ll whip up a couple more dishes!”


    Leanne understood Laura’s joy all too well. She too had been dazzled by Curtis’ sweet talk in the past,


    completely disoriented by his charm.


    Without mentioning he’d already eaten out, Curtis took his ce at the table and picked up


    his fork.


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    Leanne nced at the cat on herp, still hidden from Curtis’ view by the table. She pondered whether


    to pick up the cat and whisk it back to her room out of Curtis’ sight, or to keep it hidden, hoping he


    might not notice and make a fuss.


    But Curtis had sharp ears and overheard the cat’s purring. He looked up, his eyebrows slightly knit


    together.


    Leanne didn’t get the chance to leave before the cat, having sensed a change in the atmosphere, leapt


    onto the table, eyeing Curtis curiously yet cautiously.


    The smile that had been on Curtis’ lips moments ago disappeared, and his brow furrowed. “Why is that


    thing still here? I thought I told you to get rid of her.”


    Animals were sensitive to human emotions, and the cat shrank back slightly upon his


    harsh words.


    “Enjoy your meal,” Leanne said quietly, picking up the cat to return it to the other room. She didn’te


    back to the dining room, instead grabbing a book and sitting in the living room to wait for him to finish


    eating.


    Curtis, feeling the evening had been soured, watched Laura serve the new dishes. By then, he had


    already set his fork down.


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    Chapter 33


    “Done eating already?” Laura asked with a hint of concern.


    Curtis wiped his mouth with a napkin, his voiceced with implication, “I’ve had my fill of my wife’s


    vexations.”


    “I didn’t mean to upset you.” Leanne felt unjustly used. After all, she hadn’t known he woulde


    back unexpectedly.


    Curtis chuckled dryly. “So, you’re saying I shouldn’t havee back?”


    Leanne didn’t want to argue over such trivial matters. After a few seconds of silence, she set her book


    down. “Do you have a moment now?”


    “No time,” Curtis drawled, “I’m busy digesting the annoyance in my stomach.”


    Leanne persisted, “I have something important to discuss with you. You’re always too busy, can we talk


    now?”


    Curtis gave her a long and inscrutable look, then leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, the


    coldness in his gaze unmistakable.


    “Go ahead,” he said.


    Leanne nced at Laura, still standing nearby. “Let’s talk in the room upstairs.”


    She rose and headed for the staircase, Curtis watching her slender figure disappear up the spiraling


    steps.


    He pulled out a cigarette from a pack, tapping its end before drawing one out and cing it between his


    lips. Flicking a lighter, he ignited the tip.


    The blue me briefly illuminated his face as he took a deep drag, then set the lighter down on the


    table. The curling smoke partly obscured his features, leaving Laura unable to read his expression or


    the sudden and tense atmosphere that had descended, leaving the hot meal untouched.


    Curtis’ gaze swept over the steaming dishes on the table. “Why did you make eggnt and lettuce?”


    Laura blinked, a touch of hurt in her voice, “You don’t like them? I thought I was making your favorites.”


    Curtis raised an eyebrow. “Since when did I say I liked eggnt?”


    “But you praised the eggnt I madest time. And you used to love the pickled lettuce, didn’t you?”


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