From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 172

“Boss, is this some kind of family magic you inherited?”

I asked, genuinely impressed.

The timing, the place, the way everything just fell into place—it was so perfect it felt unreal. Not even an event planner could pull something like this off.

If it wasn’t some kind of magic, I honestly had no other explanation.

Up until I graduated college, my parents kept me wrapped in a bubble, totally sheltered from anything harsh. Then after I married Remy, he took over, shielding me from the uglier parts of life. I rarely saw anything that could really shake me.

Elliot glanced over, his brown eyes going almost black, sharp and cold—like he could see straight through you. He spoke quietly, “Ms. Greenwood, you’re going to have a bloody accident within the hour.”

I took him seriously right away, getting all excited. “Boss, where’s this disaster coming from? Am I in real danger? Can I avoid it?”

In the rearview mirror, Ryan was trying so hard not to laugh that his shoulders were shaking.

That killed my excitement on the spot. So it was all just a joke. For a second there, I’d actually thought Elliot might have some kind of special powers. If he did, I would’ve begged him to tell me if my mom ever found my dad.

Not that I really believed in that stuff. I just missed them so much lately, and they never even showed up in my dreams.

Elliot shot Ryan a warning glare. Ryan’s expression changed in a flash, like he was performing in an opera, his mixed features going totally blank.

“If your heart’s not sincere, there’s nothing I can do.”

I couldn’t even come up with a comeback.

Finally, the car stopped in front of the office.

Still annoyed about the “no cure” comment, I tried to copy Elliot’s icy attitude. “Mr. Swanson, I’ll head up first. See you.”

I pushed open the door and marched up the steps, my eyes glued to the ground, my heels tapping like I was on a mission.

“Careful up ahead.” Elliot’s voice was low and calm behind me.

My heart skipped and I looked up out of instinct—

But it was too late.

I walked right into a carved stone pillar, smacking my nose so hard my eyes watered.

Remy. Again.

Why couldn’t he just let me be?

I was exhausted, not in the mood for another scene with him, but he just had to show up, desperate for attention. He was driving me crazy.

“Avery, it’s so late. You must be hungry. I brought your favorite veggie wontons—eat them while they’re hot.”

Remy stepped out of the darkness, holding a takeout bag, standing at the bottom of the steps looking up at me, his eyes full of hope and longing.

Honestly, he couldn’t have picked a worse time. Midnight snack or not, I had no intention of being nice.

“No thanks. I wouldn’t dare eat anything you give me. Remy, you really should get a full screening at the hospital. If you test positive for something contagious, do everyone a favor and stay away from people. Ever heard of basic decency?”

Remy froze for a second, his dark eyes flickering. He let out a bitter little laugh, sounding completely defeated.

“Avery, do you want to know why, in five years of marriage, I never once touched you?”