Once Cast-Off Wife Now Untouchable Queen novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 A Wound That Won’t Heal

Aella stood up and said, “In a couple of days, my parents will move out. The condo downtown will be cleared and returned to you.”

Tyrone sat on the couch, his long fingers turning the bank card over and over.

He looked up at her and grunted in agreement. He didn’t argue.

Aella went upstairs, while Tyrone stayed where he was.

His thoughts drifted back to the past. When the Reids went bankrupt, he alone had covered more than 900 million in debts for them.

Even if Aella returned everything now, she could never repay that in her lifetime.

Later, he climbed the stairs. Aella was carrying a pillow and blanket, heading for the guest room.

Tyrone shut the bedroom door, walked up to her, and took the pillow and blanket from her arms.

He told her firmly, “As long as we’re still married, you’re sleeping in this bed.”

Aella turned away, but Tyrone pulled her into his arms.

Their eyes locked. His voice softened. “Stop overthinking. Everything is fine.”

The hurt in her eyes pulled him closer. He lowered his head and kissed her.

Aella turned her face in anger, refusing him. Tyrone pressed her down on the bed, sliding the pillow under her waist.

Just then, his phone rang.

He snatched the pillow away, rolled off the bed, and reached for the phone.

Aella struggled to sit up.

His quick move to silence the screen only fueled her suspicion.

She grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. “Was that her calling?”

Tyrone’s face darkened.

Aella rushed at him, trying to take the phone, but he held it out of reach.

The steady vibration rattled her nerves. She lost all reason and tugged at his shirt, trying to unbutton it.

He pushed her away. She broke down even more, clawing at his clothes.

“Didn’t you want me? Why stop now?”

“Aella, that’s enough!”

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Chapter

He set the phone on the nightstand, lifted her off the floor, and laid her on the bed.

Holding her arms so she wouldn’t lash out, he spoke calmly.

“You don’t have to sleep in another room. I’ll move out. When you have calmed down, I’ll come back.”

He let her go, picked up his phone, and walked into the dressing room.

Minutes later, he came out fully dressed. Without a glance back, he left the house.

Aella followed him into the hall. She heard his voice as he answered the call.

“Don’t cry. I’m on my way.”

“You want anything? Want me to bring you something to eat?”

Aella ran to the door, but Tyrone had already driven away.

She stood in the pouring rain, staring at the glow of his taillights, screaming his name until her voice broke.

Like a madwoman, she chased after his car.

Her strength gave out, and she collapsed in the wet street.

She had no way to fix the mess.

Aella couldn’t end the relationship.

Worse, she couldn’t control her emotions.

She felt like she was dying.

Late that night, in an upscale condominium complex downtown, Tyrone showed up at Zera’s place with takeout and cold medicine.

Zera answered the door in a thin-strapped nightgown.

She noticed the gloom in Tyrone’s eyes. She pressed a hand to her chest, coughed lightly, and took the bags from him.

“It’s my

fault,” she said softly. “Of all times, I had to come down with a fever tonight.”

Tyrone pulled out a thermometer and handed it to her. “Check your temperature. If it’s too high, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Zera’s voice was full of guilt. “I shouldn’t have called you so late. Won’t your wife be upset?”

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Tyrone shook his head. “She won’t.”

“Maybe I should call her, just to explain-

He unpacked the food, laying out each box one by one. “Don’t worry about her. She’s asleep by now.”

He glanced at the thermometer: 100.0°F.

Tyrone set it aside, his eyes flicking briefly over her nightgown. He draped a light blanket over her shoulders.

“I’ve got to go,” he said. “Eat something, then take the medicine.”

Zera clutched the blanket, her expression uneasy. “My son’s with my mom tonight. It’s pouring outside. Driving back isn’t safe. Why don’t you stay here for the night?”

Tyrone’s eyes darkened as he looked at Zera.

She quickly tried to explain. “It’s late. You have work in the morning. If you drive back and forth, you won’t get enough rest.”

Tyrone stopped and faced her directly. “Zera, don’t ever ask me to stay here again.”

Her face was full of innocence. “Why not? Back at the hospital, you stayed with me all night, and it was fine.”

The exhaustion in his expression could no longer be hidden.

“Zera,” he said quietly, “I stayed with you in the hospital because it was a public place and we weren’t alone. But this is your home. You’re a single woman, and I’m a married man. If I spend the night here, it won’t look good for you.”

(11)

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