Thaddeus lay sprawled on the couch, an expression of unjust accusation on his face.
"Evadne, I messed up, I admit I had one too many beers and made a fool of myself. I'm sorry," Arnold grumbled, seldom one to raise his voice at his sister, but now he was quick to own up to his mistakes.
"So, kissing Camille was just another slip-up because of the booze? Hmph, men, always flirting and never committing—irresponsible, all of you!"
"No, it wasn't like that."
Arnold closed his eyes, shaking his head, "When I kissed her, I was sober. I knew what I was doing. Evadne, I really do fancy her. But sadly, it seems she doesn't feel the same. Without mutual affection, it's doomed from the start. Plus, she's not keen on settling down, always chasing the next thrill, and we don't see eye to eye on everything. It was never meant to go the distance. Guess it's gonna be tough to find you a sister-in-law. Sorry to let you down."
"Arnold!"
Arnold said no more, his silhouette slumping as he left the villa.
"Evadne, I'll go see Arnold off."
Arnold's cab arrived, and just as he was about to hop in, Thaddeus grabbed him in the nick of time.
"Wait up, Arnold. I've got a couple of things to say."
Arnold's gaze was a bit unfocused, "What's up?"
"Feelings can develop over time. Even if it's not love at first sight, if you truly fancy Camille, you should give it a shot. Maybe you'll find a way to her heart. Don't leave yourself with regrets," Thaddeus advised earnestly.
Arnold narrowed his eyes, "And what about you and Evadne? Three years of marriage, and you're still not smitten?"
Thaddeus felt like he'd choked on a dry scone, speechless.
Surely a prosecutor, hitting where it hurts.
"In the end, wasn't it a whole lot of drama, risking your neck more times than I can count, causing a ruckus in both our families before you made up?"
"But I did win back Evadne's heart, didn't I?"
Thaddeus's Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to speak, "If you're committed, if you persist."
"I know it sounds like I'm mocking you, and I am, to some extent. But there's another reason."
Arnold took a heavy breath, his normally bright eyes clouded, "I don't have your guts, and I don't want to mess things up like that. One headstrong romantic in the Ashbourne family is quite enough. We don't need a second. The deeper the love, the greater the pain. Thad, you're a lucky guy. Anyone else might not have had your luck. Not everyone wants to walk the path you've walked. In this life, I just need to protect my belief in justice, fulfill our mother's last wish, and take care of my little sister. That's plenty."
The impatient driver poked his head out, "We going or what?"
"On my way!"
Arnold gave Thaddeus a curt wave and ducked into the cab, which quickly vanished into the night.
Thaddeus stood there alone, a puzzled frown on his face.
The joyous gathering stretched into the wee hours, but all parties must end, and the guests knew to gracefully make their exits.
Jason escorted Nydia home, Gordon took Beverly, and Chasel pestered Cassius to take him home.
"It's only eleven. You're a grown man, hitting the gym every day. I reckon you can make your own way back," Cassius's voice was cool, still miffed about Chasel's antics under the table earlier that evening.
"But I've had a few, you know, and I'm feeling quite dizzy. You wouldn't want me wandering home alone, would you? If I got mugged, that's one thing, but what if I got raped? It's not entirely safe for guys out there these days either. Oh, my head."
Chasel leaned in, feigning dizziness, and his acting skills were impressive.
Amazing!
Cassius didn't even spare him a glance, eyes lowered.
"Come on, Cassius, take Chasel home," Aaron yawned reflexively, then added, "Our precinct has had three cases of male being harrassed this year. I don't want a fourth. If anything happens to him, the Bright family would be down a good man."
Chasel's face twisted into a smug 'exactly' expression.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)
Please upload further chapters...
Please upload further chapters...
Where is the continuation of this story? You should not have started writing a story if you dont intend to continue till the end you left us hanging, thats very unprofessional as a writer....
Next chapter please.....
1 chapter per day??...
Hurry up and load more better yet just load the whole book...