Then she looked back up, cool as a cucumber. “Leonel, you''ve overstepped. You can hop into a new rtionship but only after we''re officially divorced. You might be cool with Anika, but what''s she thinking? Might she pull some crazy stunt?” Facing him, Alexis lost her appetite.


    She stood up, heading upstairs, but he grabbed her wrist.


    Swiveling back, she met Leonel''s moody gaze. He murmured, “Drop the D-word, and I''l peace out” Alexis stared him down.


    She yanked her hand away, looking like she just heard ame joke.


    How absurd! But she wasn''t sure if she wasughing at Leonel or at herself, for putting up with this nonsense.


    After Alexis made her exit, Leonel lingered at the table. The silver candlestick still cast its glow.


    Alexis hadn''t touched the food but had just sipped a bit of wine.


    He lifted the ss, savoring the wine''s slow burn.


    Nova sidled up, whispering, “Mrs. Dous skipped dinner again. She hasn''t been herself since that woman showed up. Sorry for the nagging, Mr. Dous.” Leonel toyed with his ss, silent.


    Nova didn''t press further, making herself scarce.


    Leonel remained seated till midnight. The candles had long died out, leaving the dining room in darkness.


    He nced towards the upper floors, finally rising when his eyes grew heavy.


    In thete hours, a sleek Land Rover pulled into an upscale neighborhood.


    Anika greeted Leonel at the door, throwing herself into his arms with joy.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Though they still didn''t get intimate that night, Anika knew a man''s heart softened with a woman''s affection. She aimed to provide the warmth hecked at home.


    Come morning, in a finely furnished apartment, Leonel dozed on the sofa.


    His phone buzzed with a call from Alexis.


    But Leonel remained in dreand.


    Anika emerged from the kitchen, spotting the caller ID. She nibbled her lip, grabbed the phone, and slipped into the bedroom to pick up.


    “Hey there, Mr. Dous’ line. Drop a message, please.”


    <script>


    load_facebook = false;


    window.onscroll = function() {


    if (load_facebook == false) {


    load_facebook = true;


    var s = document.createElement("script");


    s.type = "text/javascript";


    s.src = "https://connect.facebook/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v14.0&appId=3339256753013270&autoLogAppEvents=1";


    $("body").append(s);


    }


    };