“No, I’ll stay at a hotel tonight.”


    Vera clinked sses with her.


    “What about the kids?” she probed.


    Rena’s gaze dropped to her shimmering crystal ss, her mind seemingly elsewhere.


    “If I’m not there, he’ll surely head home early.”


    The rift between Waylen and Rena had its roots in the Smith family’s party the other night.


    That night, Rena encountered Harrison.


    Waylen acted like the bigger man and even asked Harrison to take care of Rena for him. Yet, post-celebration, he arrived uncharacteristically early to fetch Rena, almost like he suspected there was something going on between Rena and Harrison.


    Rena’s refusal of Harrison’s ride was fortuitous; otherwise, Waylen’s reaction could have been unpredictable.


    Still, the evening concluded with Waylen whisking Rena to their post -nuptial vi, where passion reigned through the night. Amidst their fervor, Waylen’s wordscked their usual filter.


    Rena wished she could forget all those unpleasant things he said in a fit of angry jealousy.


    This episode, seemingly concluded, lingered. Waylen’s routine altered te departures, early returns, yet constant surveince on Rena, whether through personal tracking or via a bodyguard.


    What appeared protective in his defense was, in truth, surveince.


    Rena’s patience wore thin under Waylen’s intense control, reaching a breaking point when she discovered her phone was bugged.


    In a fit of defiance, she discarded the device.


    Communications between the couple ceased.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Rena held back these details from even Vera, too embarrassed to disclose.


    Vera, a hopeless romantic, would likely misconstrue the ordeal as a grand love gesture, thrilling and passionate.


    But for Rena, it felt far different.


    Rena loved Waylen, aware of the depth of his affection for her, but she knew love wasn’t an excuse for treating her like a prisoner.


    Nobody enjoyed feeling watched.


    Needing a breather, Rena decided to step out.


    As she descended the stairs, her form-fitting, elongated dress drew an extra nce from Waylen.


    She paid him no mind, requesting Ross to chauffeur her.