The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 225

Chapter 203: Arriving home early

Caleb pov

“Sebastien Marchetti,” the investigator said. He spelled the name. “Lyon, France. He is sixty-five and the chairman of Marchetti Group. It is one of the largest private conglomerates in Europe, covering private banking, real estate, and fashion. He was thirty-three when Bella was conceived. The fellowship records put him and Elaine in the same city for those four months.” He paused then continued. “There is no sign he knows she exists. No contact, and no acknowledgement in any record.”

I wrote the name slowly, Sebastien Marchetti.

“He was one of the twelve fellows,” I said.

“Yes. He is the only one who fits the timeline and the location perfectly. I checked the other eleven, and none of them match.”

I looked at my notepad. Elaine Voss, the fellowship. The baby, the heart defect, the money. Margaret raising her dead sister’s daughter as a transaction. And at the bottom of the page, in my uneven handwriting: Sebastien Marchetti.

“Thank you,” I said. “Send me everything. Encrypted.”

“Already done,” he said, and hung up.

I sat in my locked office with the notepad. Then, I grabbed my jacket, took my keys, and went home.

I drove home faster than I should have. The front door opened before I reached the top of the steps. Tom appeared first. He seemed to have a sixth sense for knowing when I was coming home.

After having kids, I realized that the joy of seeing your children run out to welcome you could never be matched by any business acquisition. I smiled. They were our joy at all times.

Bella was already home. After our recent agreement, she had chosen to stay home for a month to look after the kids alongside Nadia. Even though she trusted Nadia a bit, Bella still did not feel comfortable leaving the kids alone with nannies.

Behind Tom, Grace walked down the hallway at her own steady pace. She kept one hand on the wall, looking determined to see what was happening.

“Dad,” Tom said, walking beside me as I came through the door. “Nadia played with us today. We did painting, and she made ice cream. It was the good kind with chocolate bits.”

“That sounds excellent,” I said.

“Grace got it on her face,” Tom said, happy to report his sister’s mess. “And on Nadia’s shirt.”

Grace reached me, gripping my trouser leg tightly. She made a sound, confirming the ice cream story.

I crouched down to look at her. A faint chocolate smear sat near her left ear, which Nadia had missed.

“Look, Daddy! See it!” Tom said, pointing his finger.

1.3

Chapter 203 wig home early

sce it,” said.

Claim

kissed the top of Grace’s head, and she accepted it happily as I stood back up. “Go back and play. I need to find Mummy.”

“Is everything fine, Daddy? Tom asked, watching my face closely.

“Everything is fine,” I said. Nothing was wrong, which was the right answer for a five-year-old on a Wednesday afternoon. “Go on. Take Grace with you.”

Tom looked at me for a second with his grey eyes. He was assessing me, a trait Bella always said he inherited from both of us. He seemed satisfied, nodded, and turned back down the hallway.

“Grace, come on,” Tom said, taking her hand. “Come see the painting I did!”

Grace looked at me one last time, made her decision, and followed her brother down the hall.

I watched them go for a second. Then, I went to find Bella.

She was at her desk, but she looked up when I came in. She stood up and walked over to me, assessing my face immediately.

“You’re home early,” she said. “Are you fine? Did anything happen at the office?”

Seeing my wife worried about me was endearing. I smiled, stepped closer, and kissed her cheek. “I’m fine. I just missed you, that’s why I’m home.”

When I pulled away, Bella caught my face with both hands and deepened the kiss. Her mouth was hot and demanding, tongue sliding against mine as she pressed her body flush against me. I groaned into her mouth, hands gripping her waist.

She pushed me back until I hit the edge of the desk, then slid her fingers into my hair, tugging firmly. The sharp pull sent heat straight down my spine. Her lips left mine and moved to my jaw, then my neck. She nibbled on my ear, teeth grazing the sensitive spot before sucking lightly.

“Fuck, Bella,” I hissed, my c**k hardening instantly against her stomach.

It had been too long since we fucked. Our busy schedules and all the shit going around us kept pushing us

apart.

۴

She smiled against my skin and did it again, sucking harder while her fingers tightened in my hair. One of her hands trailed down my chest, nails scraping lightly. I was fully hard now, throbbing against her. I grabbed her hips and pulled her closer, grinding once against her before I could stop myself.

“God, I want you,” I muttered, voice rough. I tilted my head to give her better access as she kissed and nibbled down my neck again, her breath hot against my skin.

Bella rocked her hips against my erection, teasing me. “Then take me,” she whispered, biting my earlobe. “Right here on the desk.”

The image of bending her over her own desk flashed through my mind and I groaned, hands sliding down to grip her ass. For a moment I almost gave in- almost lifted her onto the desk and fucked her hard like we both clearly wanted.

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