Chapter 116 Indulge

Chapter 116 Indulge

…

At Crawford Villa. 

It was still dark. If only morning could come fast.

For she couldn't catch a wink of sleep.

Cherish their love…

Forever?

Clyde's statement still resounded in her mind.

She didn't know why she was losing sleep over this. 

She couldn't tell where this feeling of guilt was coming from. 

She'd planned to leave him eventually. She never planned to forgive and forget.

He must have his own reasons for feeding her those birth control pills.

Her feelings for him must have resurfaced, getting even stronger than before, but she had an obligation.

A promise to fulfill.

Asher was still waiting for her.

“Violet…”

In the dead night, his voice jolted her. 

Thinking he was deeply asleep, she glanced sideways to find him staring at her. 

“What's wrong?” Clyde reached out and stroked her hair. “What are you thinking about?”

Should she tell him the truth?

Should she lie to him?

However, the idea of telling him what was really on her mind scared her.

Not only because she feared the outcome, but also because she feared the effect it would have on her too. 

So she settled with the safest option.

She lied.

“It's about your sister…” She let out a heavy sigh. “I- I… I'm worried.”

It was true that his sister's death also bothered her. 

With the current state his grandfather was in, anything could happen.

The family could fall apart, and Clyde could lose the position he very much deserved. 

“Are you worried about me?” He asked, propping his arm up to rest on it. 

Violet nodded. 

Yes, she was.

She was worried about so many things. 

“You really care about me, don't you…” Clyde added, a mix of sadness and admiration flashing in his eyes.

Violet didn't hesitate to nod once more.

She should probably be hiding this from him.

Clyde shouldn't know that her love for him had resurfaced. 

But it's too late. 

After getting the assurance from her, he shifted close and hugged her. “Mm. I know how it feels. I love you too Violet.”

He did?

“In these hard times, the only thing that keeps me happy is yours and Mimi's presence. I'm happy that you'll stay.”

Was she going to stay?

No! She wanted to, but she couldn't. 

“Violet, everything that happened was a mistake…” He went on. “I fed you those pills. I- I was afraid of having a child. I feared karma would get me somehow, and the same thing that happened to Anna could happen to any of my children.”

His confession left her devastated. 

So that was the reason why.

He feared having kids because of what happened with his sister.

He'd been living in the guilt at that time too.

“I knew you didn't marry me for my money. I knew you loved me, Violet. When you left, I was angry at first, and then I became afraid…”

Pulling away, he stared into her eyes, the sincerity in his eyes stroking a cord in her heart. “I was afraid I would lose everything. The chairman's position, Grandpa's favor, and most importantly you.”

Wait…

The chairman's position.

Was Herman telling the truth then?

Was Clyde really using her?

“But now it all doesn't matter.” When he hugged her again, a complex feeling compounded in her heart. “All I want is for you to stay by my side. You and our daughter… you’re my everything.”

A droplet of tears fell from her eyes, her heart getting heavy.

Was this the confession she'd been waiting for?

Was this the assurance she'd always wanted?

Did he mean it for real this time?

“I'd been selfish at first, but now I'm willing to make amends…” Clyde added. “I won't ever make you regret being with me again, Sweetheart. Violet, I love you!”

She'd heard enough.

She couldn't take this anymore.

If she stayed any longer, she could not bear it. 

Pulling away from his embrace, Violet wiped her tears and left the bed. 

“Vi-” He reached out to hold her, the confusion in his voice breaking her heart. 

Violet paused, her back facing him. “I- I should check on Mimi.”

“Mimi's asleep.”

She knew.

She just wanted to get away from him.

“Violet, wait…”

Violet was already out of the room before he could stop her. 

In the hallway, she slowed down her footsteps, focusing on her weak heartbeat. 

Her heart was hurting with an indescribable pain she never thought she'd ever feel again.

She loved Clyde.

She was indebted to Asher.

Clyde's world was a place of chaos, heartbreaks, and family conflicts, while Asher had nothing to offer her but peace.

Strangely, she was used to Clyde's chaotic world already. 

As long as he was by her side, she had no doubts about the future. She only wanted to be with him no matter what.

But that's impossible. 

Instead of going to Mimi's room, she headed downstairs to the living room, fearing she'd disturb the little girl's sleep. 

In the dark empty living room, she sat curled on the couch, hugging herself and lost deeply in her thoughts.

Hours passed by yet she couldn't move from the position, grateful somehow that Clyde didn't follow her. 

Slowly, the sky outside became clear again, but the dark clouds inside her heart only got heavier. 

After thinking for a long time, she'd come to this bitter decision. 

When loyalty and love can't go together, it's better to be loyal.

She couldn't leave Clyde at this critical moment. There's only a week left anyway. 

Why couldn't she just indulge before it's all over?

A loud constant bang on the large doors startled her.

Who would be knocking so harshly at this hour of the morning?

As no servant was nearby, Violet went to the door to see who it was. 

She hadn't fully opened the door yet when the person she least expected barged in.

“Freya!” Violet gasped.

“Yeah, it is I!” Freya dropped both hands on her waist, giving her a furious look. “Now before I start bashing you for forgetting your only best friend and letting that dumbass put my life in danger, let me ask, Violet, do you have a secret twin sister whom I'm not aware of!?”