The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 25

Lavinia woke up quite late, and by the time she opened her eyes, he was already gone.

She could have sworn she fell asleep on the floor. How did she end up back in bed?

After freshening up and heading downstairs, she found the entire family gathered.

Hearing her footsteps, Garnett threw a casual glance her way.

She couldn't shake the feeling that his eyes were sparkling with hidden amusement.

He had been practically vibrating with rage the night before, yet now he was the picture of breezy charm. Clearly, he was putting on a show of marital bliss for the elders.

Judith waved her over enthusiastically. "Come have breakfast, darling."

The moment she took her seat, Maeve placed a steaming bowl of smoked haddock kedgeree right in front of her.

Maeve had been with Judith for decades and took orders from absolutely no one else. For her to personally serve the young wife today was a monumental statement.

Zenia shot a sharp look at her husband, but Nestor Harper remained utterly engrossed in his morning paper.

Smiling warmly, Judith watched her eat. "Eat up, sweetheart. You'll need your strength for a healthy baby."

Lavinia paused, spoon halfway to her mouth.

Garnett seamlessly chimed in, "Grandma, I hope we didn't keep you up with all the noise last night."

"What noise? You know my hearing is terrible." Judith covered her mouth with a knowing chuckle, exchanging a delighted glance with Maeve.

The sheer embarrassment made Lavinia lose her appetite entirely.

He spent his nights playing devoted lover to Sigrid, then came home and shamelessly paraded this doting husband act.

Judith motioned for Maeve to bring over a blue velvet box, revealing a stunning, flawless emerald bangle inside.

Taking Lavinia's hand, she slid the cool jade over her wrist. "This was part of the dowry my father gave me for my first marriage. Once you have the baby, I'll have an even bigger surprise waiting for you."

When she married into the family, there had been no grand bridal gifts. Judith had used her personal savings to buy her wedding jewelry.

Overwhelmed with guilt, Lavinia tried to decline but was firmly overruled.

Sitting nearby, Zenia's eyes burned with raging jealousy.

She had managed the matriarch's jewelry collection for years, practically viewing the exquisite pieces as her own inheritance.

The old woman had hoarded that specific bangle for decades, only to hand it over to this cheap outsider without a second thought.

"Mom, Lavinia is still so young. Don't you think such a traditional piece makes her look a bit aged?" Zenia asked, masking her venom with a sweet smile.

Judith merely rolled her eyes, completely ignoring the comment.

She watched his expression shift into deep concentration, signaling that his mistress was in some sort of serious trouble.

The tense conversation dragged on for a full ten minutes.

Ending the call, he stared straight ahead and stated flatly, "Get out and wait by the curb. I'll have the driver come pick you up."

The heavy click of the unlocking doors echoed in the cabin, sounding every bit like an eviction notice.

Grabbing her purse, she pushed the door open without a word.

Her feet had barely hit the asphalt before he peeled away, the tires narrowly missing her toes.

By seven o'clock, the sky was pitch black. The wind howled viciously, carrying the distinct scent of an impending storm.

She was stranded on the shoulder of an expressway, miles from civilization.

Lovell, the driver, called to say he was stuck in gridlock traffic miles away and begged her to hold tight.

She tried to hail a rideshare, only to find over thirty people ahead of her in the digital queue.

A deafening crack of thunder shook the ground as lightning slashed across the sky.

Massive, heavy drops of rain began to pelt down. Before she could even spot a tree for cover, the heavens tore completely open.