Chapter 1935 Chelsea Sides With Magnus


    Allen hadn''t expected Chelsea to side with Magnus so readily.


    In an instant, the image he had so carefully built before her crumbled to dust.


    There was no reason to stay any longer. Composing himself, he offered a faint smile. “Not at all, Ms. Rainsworth. It was just a passing question,” he said lightly. "The party seems to be winding down, and I have other matters to attend to. I''ll take my leave."


    Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, his retreat brisk and quiet.


    Outside, Miranda caught up with him.


    "Allen, how did it go?" she asked, slightly breathless.


    He exhaled sharply. "Not well. Someone sabotaged it."


    Miranda''s eyes widened. "Who? Who dares interfere in your business?"


    "Cecilia''s brother," Allen muttered, then paused. "Miranda, don''t bother anymore. Chelsea knows I''m married. She probably thinks I''m trying to deceive her into a rtionship. There''s no saving this."


    After speaking, Allen slipped into the car and shut the door behind him.


    Miranda remained rooted to the spot, seething. She stomped her foot in frustration. "That d*mn Magnus!"


    Inside the car, Allen had barely settled in when his phone buzzed. He nced at the screen. It was a message from his wife: Allen, when will you be home tonight?


    It was followed by a sticker of a wide-eyed kitten, cute and hopeful.


    In that moment, his wife''s gentle face rose unbidden in his mind.


    His gaze darkened, pupils constricting as he clenched the ne from the auction in his hand.


    After a long moment, he finally typed out a reply: I''ll be back soon.


    After sending the message, Allen was ovee by an inexplicable wave of guilt and fear.


    Because today, for the first time, he had glimpsed the darkness within himself. There was no doubt in his mind: he loved his wife.


    She came from an ordinary family, and despite all opposition, he had married her. For the first three years, their love had been intense, unwavering. Even without children, he had feltpletely content.


    But now, nearly eight years had passed.


    Maybe the initial fire had quietly burned out. He had always believed his feelings


    for her were steadfast, that he would never stray, never be tempted by another.


    And yet, today, when he saw


    Chelsea, her youth, her smile, and


    the unguarded light in her eyes stirred something in him he hadn''t anticipated. To his dismay, he realized that Miranda''s suggestion no longer felt absurd. He actually wanted to win Chelsea over.


    Not long after, Allen''s phone rang again. It was his father.


    He picked up. "Dad."


    "Miranda''s already told me everything," Derek said without preamble, "What happened this time is not your fault. But if there''s still à chance, you should take it. Having Chelsea as a daughter-inw is very important to me."


    "All right. I understand." There wasn''t much else Allen could say. Refusal would only stir up more trouble.


    “Good. That''s all. I''ll let you go now." Derek then hung up.


    Just then, another message came through. This time, a kissy face emoji from his wife.


    For all the years they''d been together, her love had never wavered. He knew she had always loved him. And somehow, that love had only deepened with time.


    But he couldn''t deny it anymore. His own heart wasn''t as steadfast as it once was.


    Working and struggling alone had be a quiet kind of torment. Sometimes, Allen couldn''t help but envy those who had strong, capable partners-marriages where the spouse''s family offered support.


    And then there was something else. He longed for a child of his own.


    When Allen returned home that night, Skr was still awake. Without missing a beat, she rose to greet him, fetching him his coat with the ease of someone who had done it a hundred times before.


    "You must be exhausted," she said softly. "Coming back thiste again..."


    Allen said nothing. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ne, handing it to her. "For you," he said.


    Skr blinked, caught off guard. Her eyes dropped to the delicate piece of jewelry, then back to his face.


    "For me? But... why?" There was surprise in her expression, but underneath it, a quiet confusion.