Chapter 133


    Chapter 133


    Sullivan returned to his vi just shy of 11 p.m.


    As he stepped into the foyer, the maid approached him, her voice a whisper, “Wee home, sir! Shall


    I prepare ate–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 te of in pasta, please. Is Madam already in bed?”


    The maid, with respectful hands, took his coat and softly confirmed, “She had a light supper, yed


    piano for a bit, and hasn’te 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 d in ck 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 p 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 woulde 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 attentivetely 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 ssical Concert. asionally, she epted 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, thest traces of autumn had gone..


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    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.