Exposing the Charade of Deep Affection (PDF) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Tabatha’s Past

Walter said nothing and just caressed the hideous scar casually with his callused fingers. After a while, he looked up at me, his gaze cold. “I don’t recall you ever telling me about your past.”

I pursed my lips and averted my gaze before saying aloofly, “It’s in the past. There’s nothing to talk about.”

Walter squinted and redrew his hand, returning to the elegant and untouchable man. He got up and put on his bathrobe, looking down at me with a distant look. “Get some rest.”

I paused, then realized that he was upset and was going to sleep in the study.

“OK.” I never had the urge to get to the bottom of his decisions. It was fine as long as we were both OK with it.

When Walter was leaving, I lifted the blanket over me and was ready to sleep. But he suddenly looked back and called my name lowly, “Tabatha.”

“What?” I looked at him and waited for him to finish his thought.

“Ashley is special. Be nice to her.” His words were brief, yet they were filled with love.

I froze under the cover and my heart stopped for a second.

Was he warning me not to anger Ashley again?

I suppressed the displeasure and said, “Fine.”

After the bedroom door shut, I lay alone in the big room, staring at the dark ceiling idly.

I had barely done any harm to Ashley, yet Walter was so protective of her.

Whatever. Sleeping was more important.

On the weekend.

I was working overtime in the office when I got a call from my family. The anxious tone on the phone made me drop everything and hurry to the hospital.

Rudolf Conner, my dad, was lying in the room. His face was pale and he looked much older than I remembered. Ashley was eagerly attending to him.

Rudolf’s face fell when he saw me. He scowled, “How dare you show your face here?”

I glanced at Ashley, who was standing behind Rudolf, then turned to Eileen Mitchell, my mom. Ashley was snickering while Eileen was anxious.

I didn’t know what was going on and directly said to Rudolf, “Dad, what did I do wrong?”

Rudolf threw the fruit basket at me furiously and glared at me. “You mean you don’t know? How would I have such a shameless daughter?”

I was so angry that I forgot it. Looking at Eileen, I asked, “What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s in the final stages of liver cancer. The doctor just found out.” Eileen started crying.

I froze in shock. “What… That’s too sudden…”

Eileen sobbed, “He works hard day and night for the Conner Group. And he drinks and smokes heavily regardless of his health. The doctor said that he only had three months left, which was a suspended death sentence. Tabatha, apologize to him for what happened. Once he gets over it, you can spend time with him. It has been years. You two…”

“Mom, I did nothing wrong then.” I got up and felt upset, despite trying to control my emotions.

Knowing that Eileen was going to repeat the talk she gave me over and over again, I entered the elevator and closed the door without waiting for her.

When I reached the lobby, I took a deep breath to get a hold of myself.

“Tabatha, you’re such a heartless monster.” The snide remark was from Ashley. She had followed me out.

I wasn’t in the mood to talk to her and started walking outside.

Ashley raised her voice. “You eloped when you were 18 and were sold to the border, so you had to be a prostitute to survive. Tabatha, I bet Walter didn’t know about your past, right?”