Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO

Daniel returned only with a confused face. Walking back into the living room, he waited until Zenith also entered.

Then, looking at Ryan, he asked, "Would you care to explain what's going on here?"

Ryan heard and glanced up at him before darting his gaze to look at Zenith. "Oh, you are back?"

Zenith felt a little awkward but hummed in response. "Yes. I am sorry I didn't know Mr. Evans would be here today. I —"

"It's fine. He doesn't mind." Ryan replied to her, and Daniel stared at him with wide eyes.

Pointing a finger at himself, he mumbled. "I don't mind? Brother, what are you saying?"

Although his voice was barely a whisper and Zenith hadn't heard it fully, it still made her feel uncomfortable. After all, she was staying at her boss's place. How could that be explained?

Ryan noted her discomfort before sending a small glare Daniel's way.

Daniel was about to defend himself when Ryan cut his chance by turning to speak to Zenith. "You must be tired. Go on and get freshened up. Make yourself comfortable."

Zenith flicked her eyes once at Daniel and then quickly nodded to escape. "I will go, then." And with that, she didn't linger. She rushed off, walking straight to the guest room she had been staying in.

Daniel watched her flee and then turned to arch his brow at Ryan. "I do mind, by the way. You are my friend. So, tell me, what's exactly happening here?"

Ryan looked at him and then shook his head. "Nothing of that sort that you are guessing." He then jutted his chin toward the room and explained, "She is just staying here for a while since the bridge near her apartments has collapsed. She would move once it is fixed."

"Oh, so it's like that?" Daniel nodded, understanding. "Fine, I believe, but …"

He paused, and only when Ryan looked at him did he continue. "But the idea of starting something that's not there is not bad."

Ryan frowned, not liking where the conversation was heading. "What absurd thing are you talking about, Daniel? She is my employee, my secretary."

"I know. But she is also a good woman, brother," Daniel shrugged. "Beautiful, competent and someone who understands you well. She had been working on your side for quite a while now. No one would know this better than you. So, it's not a bad idea, to be honest. If anything, it's a perfect way to really move on from the past."

However, before Ryan could speak anything in response to his words, he pulled his hand up to check the time on his watch.

Then, interrupting him, he said, "Oh, it's actually quite late. I think I should leave first." Glancing at him, he gave a small smile, "Don't make a haste to refuse thing, Ryan. Take some time and think about it. And …" his gaze darted to look down at the glass of scotch. "Don't drink too much and ruin yourself. Nothing will change even if you drink every drop of alcohol in the world."

Ryan didn't say anything. He just chugged the drink in his glass.

Daniel sighed, but no longer pressed. Turning around, soon after, he left.

After a while, the door of the guest room opened, and Zenith walked out. Her eyes darted to look around. Not finding Daniel around, she asked, "Mr. Evan's left already?"

Ryan stared up at her and nodded. Then, looking at the bottle, he asked, "Do you want a drink?"

Zenith looked at it and hesitated. She was about to refuse, but before she could, he took her chance to.

"Come, and accompany me for a while. If you don't want to drink, you can choose to have the juice instead." He then gestured her towards the refrigerator in the kitchen.

Zenith looked at him and understood there was something not right. Nodding, she agreed. Walking to the kitchen, she got herself a glass of juice and returned to sit with Ryan in the living room.

While Ryan drank, she sipped her juice, accompanying him until he wanted.

***

The next day —

In Winslow Residence, Arwen woke up as usual.

For the event that she had to attend in the evening, she had kept her schedule free. And since she didn't have to go to the company today, she had only stood to say goodbye to Aiden as he left for his work.

What surprised her was that, unlike the other days, even Selene left for her day. She didn't really know what she was up to, but as far as she had heard her speak at the table, it looked like she was going to complete some brand's photo shoot.

"Madam, do you have any instructions for lunch today?" Mr. Jones asked with a smile when he saw Arwen returning.

Arwen smiled back at him and then shook her head. "No, nothing, Mr. Jones. But make sure the dishes align with grandpa's tastes. Also, yesterday, I brought oolong tea. Brew some and send it over to him. I am sure he would like it."

Mr. Jones's smile deepened. Nodding in understanding, he said, "I will ask someone to do it right away, madam."

Arwen nodded. "Fine, then I will get back to my room. If there is anything, please let me know." And then she walked away. Taking the stairs, she headed to her room, but halfway, she paused in her steps.

She looked the other way down the corridor, the way that headed to the back side of their wing.

A thought crossed her mind, and instead of returning to her room, she took the walk down the corridor, heading in the direction of Aiden's old study room.

It wasn't very far away, so it didn't take her long to reach.

Unlike the last time, the door of the room wasn't locked. As she twisted the knob, the door opened easily. And pushing it further, she stepped inside.

She looked around the room, and it still looked the same as she had last seen it. The only difference that stood out was that the desk looked cleaner this time, as though someone had recently cleaned it up.

And there was a photo frame at the desk that wasn't there the last time.

As she noticed it, she walked towards it to check.

Her lips curled up in a gentle, kind smile when she noticed the face of the lady in the picture.

Like the last time, even this time, the sense of familiarity stirred her heart. But there was a difference. She was no longer confused.

This time, she knew who the lady was and what connection she shared with her. She was Aunt Morwenna —Aiden's mother.