Chapter 08: Leaving the Door Open
By the time I realized, I quickly switched off the camera.
On the other end, Daphne’s voice clearly carried a note of disbelief. “Sorry, Lena, I got so caught up in rambling on myself. How about this, we’ll talk more when we have time.”
Before I could respond, Daphne had already ended the call.
I awkwardly glanced at Winston. “Sorry, Fletcher’s mom, she probably misunderstood…”
“Must be exhausting, huh?”
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5 Points
Winston unexpectedly commented, his voice laced with a hint of concern.
I looked up at him, unsure of what kind of exhaustion he was referring to–was it from work or dealing with my ex–boyfriend’s mother?
Seeing that I didn’t reply, Winston handed me a blueberry and said, “It helps with eye fatigue, eat a few more.”
I felt a bit uneasy, so I shifted the topic. “It’s getting late, let’s grab something to eat.”.
Winston, sensing my discomfort, smoothly let the conversation drop.
At the sushi restaurant, I stared at the stack of plates piled up like a small mountain in front of me and awkwardly said, “Winston, it’s rare for me to treat you. Please, help
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yourself.”
With that, I politely pushed the salmon toward him.
Winston glanced at me and said, “Lena, you’re too thin. Your health is the foundation. of everything. If you want to build a career, you can’t let your health slip.”
The salmon was pushed back toward me.
Not knowing how to refuse, I said, “Then let’s share it.”
The meal was enjoyable. However, when it was time to pay, the waiter politely informed me that Winston had already covered the bill.
“Next time, next time you treat me, okay?”
He spoke softly, graciously, and, as he said it,
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5
Points
he’d taken me to after dinner.
I didn’t want to kill his mood, so I followed
as clear he was enjoying himself.
along. It
I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, but I smiled and said, “Thank you for today. Be safe on your way back.”
Winston, always composed, wished me good night before getting into his car and driving off.
I quietly returned to my place, unusually going to bed early. But once my eyes shut, sleep just wouldn’t come.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Daphne’s words.
If I wasn’t mistaken, tonight was the night Fletcher would officially introduce Davina to
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+ 5 Points
the Lynton family.
And here I was, after six years of devotion, not even knowing which direction the Lynton family
eanor’s door faced.
The contrast was stark.
But then again, ever since two years ago, my fate and Fletcher’s had diverged completely.
At this moment, though, there was something more urgent on my mind.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
“Who is it?” I asked, confused.
“It’s me.”
The deep voice slipped through the crack in
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+ 5 Points
the door, and I froze in place, utterly stunned.
It was Fletcher’s voice.
But wasn’t he supposed to be at the family dinner with Davina tonight?
Why was he here at my place now?
Suspicion crept in, and before I could process it, his voice came again, this time commanding, “Open the door.”
It was forceful.
But why?
Even if he was an investor, there was no reason for him to come barging in at this hour.
I stood there expressionless, and just as I
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6 Points
pitiful, almost childish.
It was clear he was drunk.
Leave
one door open?
Did he really think he had a right to come into my place?
A surge of anger pressed against my chest, but then I realized this could be a misunderstanding.
He was calling someone sweetie, and he definitely wanted the door open.
But the person Fletcher was looking for wasn’t me.
The family dinner Daphne mentioned earlier clicked in my mind, and I began to suspect Fletcher and Davina might’ve had some kind
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+ 5 Points
of disagreement tonight.
After all, aside from Davina, no one else could make someone like Fletcher come here so late, seeking reconciliation.
Not even me.
I took a breath, trying to calm myself. “Mr. Lynton, your ‘sweetie‘ is upstairs.”
I attempted to push him away, but Fletcher didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled me even closer. “Sweetie, are you still angry with me?”
His tone was apologetic, but the greedy embrace set my blood on fire.
I ground my teeth and said, “Fletcher, you’ve got the wrong person.”
He wasn’t having it. “How unfair! Last night,
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+ 5 Points
you called me ‘darling, and now you’re just using my name.”
See? He was clearly very drunk.
I took a deep breath and said, “Fletcher, look up and see who I really am.”
At the sound of my voice, the man slowly lifted his head. Our eyes met, and I was taken aback when I noticed a hint of red in the corner of his eye.
I froze, feeling like something had lightly. scratched at my chest. The words that had been on the tip of my tongue were swallowed back down.
It was the first time I had ever seen Fletcher lose control like this.
In the next moment, as though possessed,
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+ 5 Points
“Are you sober now?”
Fletcher seemed still trapped in the
scene, taking a few seconds to regain his composure. He licked the blood from his lip, ripped the door open, and stormed out.
The sound of the door slamming shut left me deflated, like a balloon with all its air gone, collapsing in place.
On Monday morning, I went to work as usual, but in the elevator, I ran into Davina.
The young girl had her hair in a cute bun and was texting on WhatsApp, looking quite happy.
When she saw me, she cheerfully greeted me, “Charlene, good morning!”
The happiness in her almond–shaped eyes
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5 Points
was obvious.
She didn’t seem like someone who had been
put in an awkward position at the Lynton family dinner.
ner.
Thinking of Fletcher’s lost, troubled
expression from last night, a flicker of doubt crossed my mind.
Just then, Davina’s phone suddenly played a recording of a man’s voice: “You did a great job last night. Don’t worry, I’ll handle my family!”
The voice was deep and hoarse, like someone just waking up.
Fletcher’s voice.
Davina probably didn’t realize she had accidentally hit the speakerphone button.
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5 Points
After locking her screen, she stole a glance at me before stepping aside to reply to the message.
As the elevator doors closed, I vaguely heard her say, “Fletcher, hearing you say that really makes me happy.”
Now everything made sense.
Fletcher, lost in love, silently sacrificed his pride, quietly protecting Davina.
How could she possibly be upset?
Unlike me.
The whole morning passed in a blur as I immersed myself in writing code.
After lunch break, the door to the studio suddenly swung open, and a man in a suit
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5 Points
As our eyes met, I heard him say with a smile, “Mrs. Lynton, your coffee.”
Just then, Davina stepped out of her office
1, upon hearing the comment, lowered her head, her face flushing with embarrassment.
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