From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 162

Tears I’d tried so hard to hold back suddenly spilled down my face. I pulled my little girl into my arms, holding her as tightly as I could.

This child I’d spent more than five years loving and raising—never once so much as scolding her—was now flinching away from me. Just a simple movement made her so scared it broke my heart.

What on earth had she gone through while I was gone?

I did my best to calm Cindy and coaxed her to keep eating. When she finally took a few more bites, I slipped into the bedroom with my phone and scrolled for Remy’s number. I called.

No answer.

Next, I tried Marissa. I couldn’t shake the suspicion that she’d hurt Cindy, and I needed answers.

Still nothing.

I called Julia. This time, she picked up. Before I could get a word out, she whispered, “Help me,” then hung up.

I just stared at my phone, frozen.

Julia’s voice sounded so weak, barely there. Cindy had said she was sick, but suddenly I realized it might be something serious—maybe even life or death.

If Julia was really that sick, shouldn’t Remy be taking care of her? Why was she calling me for help?

My anger faded, replaced by this heavy sense of dread. My gut told me Julia was in real trouble and needed help.

I dialed Remy again, then Mike. Still no response. Maybe something terrible had actually happened.

Now I was worried. Not because I was trying to be a saint, but because I couldn’t just ignore another person in danger.

By the time I got back, Cindy had finished her bowl of rice, eaten plenty of meat, and had some soup. Her hands and feet were warmer, her cheeks looked a bit better, but she still seemed scared.

I held her for a while, until she started to relax. Then, as gently as I could, I asked where she and Julia were living and what kind of sickness Julia had.

But Cindy wouldn’t let go of my neck, clinging tight and begging to stay with me.

I drove out of the underground garage. The bodyguard followed in his car, keeping a safe distance behind.

The yard was pitch black. All the little string lights I’d put up for Cindy were gone. The place felt empty and cold.

At the far end of the first floor, I spotted a faint light coming from one room. Cindy told me that’s where Julia was staying now.

I didn’t get it. When Julia was still Julie, she always had a guest room upstairs. Now, with me out of the way, Remy had her living in a storage room downstairs.

It’s wild how life can change, how people can change.

I tried the fingerprint lock. The code hadn’t changed, and my print still worked.

Inside, the living room looked exactly the same. Even the wedding photo I’d ripped down was back on the wall, though it was easy to spot where it had been patched up.