As soon as the plane landed, Theodore rushed straight to the villa, eager to get home. He clutched the carefully chosen gift bags, his steps quick and impatient as he pushed open the front door.
“Clarisse ?” he called out, his voice full of longing after their days apart. The villa was completely silent, and no one answered.
Frowning, Theodore set the gifts down on the entry cabinet and hurried toward the master bedroom. He wondered if Clarisse was still resting in the bedroom.
He pushed open the door, only to find the room completely empty. An uneasy feeling crept in.
“Maybe she went out for a walk to clear her mind. But didn’t I say I’ll take her out once she feels better? Or is she still upset and giving me the silent treatment? That has to be it,” he told himself, forcing down the growing sense of anxiety.
His eyes swept across the room. Everything on Clarisse’s vanity was perfectly arranged, and the matching mugs he’d made for them sat side by side on the nightstand.
He opened the closet and saw all her clothes were neatly in place. That settled his nerves a bit.
Pulling out his phone, he was about to call Clarisse when Bianca appeared at the door, her voice carrying
just the right amount of concern. “Theo, is Ms. Hart not home?”
She stepped into the room with a gentle smile. “You must be exhausted after rushing back here.”
As she spoke, she walked over and sat beside Theodore, her voice growing even softer. “Your face looks a little pale. Are you worried about her? Don’t be. She said she needed some time away, didn’t she?
Women always get a bit emotional, but she’ll come around after a few days.”
She reached out as if to massage his temples, but Theodore turned his head abruptly, instinctively dodging her touch, an irritation flickering across his face.
Bianca’s hand paused midair, her smile stiffening before fading into a look of wounded disappointment. “I was only trying to take care of you, Theo…*
He pressed his fingers to his brow, clearly frustrated. “Sorry, Bianca. Please go check on Caleb. I need a
minute alone.”
Bianca lowered her head, digging her nails into her palm. Then, she left the room in silence, quietly
closing the door behind her. As soon as the door closed, the gentle smile vanished from her face,
replaced by cold resentment.
Theodore dialed Clarisse’s number, only to be met with an automated voice stating, “Sorry. The number
you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later.*
He opened their chat and quickly typed a message. “Clarisse, I’m back from my trip. Call me when you
see this.”
Chapter 10
2/2
But after he hit send, he noticed the message only had one tick, and her profile picture was gone.
He stared at the screen in disbelief. She had blocked him?
A mix of anger and helplessness surged in his chest. He’d thought Clarisse was finally starting to be more understanding, but she was still just as stubborn and unreasonable.
Still, he told himself she would come back once her anger faded.
Tightening his grip on the phone, he tried to push down the rising panic that wouldn’t quite go away.
Chapte
