The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1821

Winston arched an eyebrow as he entered the cozy kitchen, a smile on his lips. "Congrats on the new pad, Rose."

"Thanks a lot."

"Except that your neighbor is still me."

Rose smiled and said. "Actually, I owe you one for scouting this place out for me."

She shut the door behind them, following Winston into the kitchen. “It's kinda ironic, isn't it? I invite you over to The R City, and you end up finding my new digs."

Winston placed the grocery bag on the countertop, a smirk playing on his face. “Well, when it comes to social connections, us guys have a bit of an edge.”d2

He couldn’t shake the guilt he felt towards her. That damned witch Chloe, always assigning tasks and then skirting the blame when things went south.

“Why don't you hang back while I get things sorted? I'll give you a holler when it's ready."

"You sure you don't need a hand?"

She shook her head, her voice light. “The world's simplest meal is just stew.”

Winston didn't press further.

True to her word, it wasn't long before Rose called him to the dining room. Stepping in, Winston couldn't help but marvel. Women were truly magical creatures – in such a short time, she'd transformed the entire table into a feast. The pot in the center bubbled with inviting steam, casting a cozy glow around the room.

"All set already?"

“It's just a matter of washing some veggies. Have a seat."

He did as told, watching as Rose busied herself with adding food to the pot and adjusting the heat. It wasn’t long before she served him a plate of food.

Winston watched her careful movements, a mysterious smile playing on his face.

"Back at Summit Ridge University, there was this girl whom no one dares to provoke. She was elegant, delicate, and assertive. It's hard to believe that the once famous figure on campus, known for her charisma, has now become so homely, especially with such a caring nature."

Rose paused, setting the fork aside. “Nobody owes me anything. And no one has the obligation or duty to look after me. You’ve got to have some life skills, or you’ll starve living alone.”

He looked at her for a moment longer, then picked up his fork, diving into the stew with enthusiasm. “Hmm, this is genuinely both healthy and convenient – and delicious to boot. There's nothing quite like this.”

She burst out laughing, caught off guard by his praise. "Aren't you exaggerating a bit?"

“The taste is spot-on, and if we're being honest, it's all thanks to the chef.”

Rose rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance. “You're laying it on thick. Can't you be a bit more genuine?”

“It's all heartfelt, really. I ran it through my mind several times before saying it. If I kept it in any longer, my thoughts would've started to tire.”

With her back of her hand pressed to her forehead, Rose laughed uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking with the effort to contain herself. “Men are natural liars.”

Winston's lips curled into a slight smile as he watched her. “Your veggies are ready.”

She looked up, glanced at the pot, and reached for the spoon.

--

The hospital staff didn’t dare stop Morrison as he stormed out, his assistant trailing behind, trying to offer a ride given his condition. But Morrison was already descending the steps, his figure disappearing into the car.

He drove back to the villa at breakneck speed, only to find it shrouded in darkness. A frown creased his brow. He snatched the spare key from a flower pot by the door and entered the silent house.

When he opened the door, it was pitch dark. The absence of light was a bad omen. He always remembered Rose leaving the living room light on, but now it was off. But she just told him that she was at home. Was she playing him for a fool?

He didn’t bother to remove his shoes as he made his way upstairs. The motion-sensor lights flickered on in the hallway, but his bedroom was still draped in darkness. Flicking on the light, he found it empty, along with the guest rooms and the study.

His face grew taut as he realized that all of Rose's belongings were gone – her laptop, her notes, the trinkets on her desk, even her parenting books. The closet was bare of her clothes, and the bathroom was emptied of her personal belongings.

All the toiletries in the bathroom, toothbrush, towels, hairdryer, even the comb and hairpins—absolutely everything of hers was gone; nothing was left behind.

The living room was missing her cup, her shoes, her dog, and all her decorative pieces. In the kitchen, her plates, utensils, and even her spices had vanished.

Standing in the hollow living room, Morrison felt his anger seeping away, replaced by a deep, unsettling dread. He finally took out his phone, his call log flooded with Rose's name. Most of the calls didn’t go through, except for the first one, with a call record lasting a mere thirty-six seconds. In the end, she hung up his call for a dog.

The sofa...

His lips pressed into a thin line as he dialed the number, his heart heavy with an emotion he couldn't quite name.

The phone rang just as Rose was dropping noodles into the boiling pot. Her hands moved a bit faster at the sound, and Winston set down his fork to answer it. "Let me take care of that. You get the phone."

"You sure you know how?"

Winston raised an eyebrow at her. "You gotta give me some more credit than that."

Rose gave an apologetic smile, handed him the noodles, and went to the living room. The caller ID made her hesitate, but she took a deep breath before picking up.

"What is it now?"

"Where are you?" Morrison's voice was eerily calm, a stark contrast to his usual temper. This calmness made his underlying cold fury all the more perceptible.

"At home."

"Which home?" Before she could finish, Morrison cut in.

Rose paused for a few seconds. "You've been discharged?"

"Where are you right now?" His tone was as flat as ever, not the stillness of a windless lake but the ice of a frozen sea, every word heavy with chill.

Instead of answering directly, Rose said, "If you're out of the hospital, we should no longer delay our divorce. Everything has been said. It's a good thing for both of us, so let's get it over with. Besides, someone has been waiting for you. I've already spoken to Megan and Molly. They shouldn't interfere with you and Mona anymore."

She hesitated, then added, "Morrison, I've tried to make amends as best as I could. There's not much left to say. I don't want to make an enemy of anyone, least of all you. I was wrong before, and I'm truly sorry."

Morrison was silent for a while before responding with icy detachment, "You think I can't find out if you don't tell me?"