His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 739

The incident had left Glynnis with no choice but to leave Elmsworth for good. Yet Thaddeus couldn't shake off the gloom that clung to him.

Stepping out of Windermere Estate, he called Jareth only to be greeted by the silence of an unanswered call.

In their two decades of friendship, such circumstance was rare and unsettling.

That evening, Evadne brought out a box of assorted pastries sent by Aaron and shared them with Marilla. The room, aglow with a soft, warm light, became the stage for a small act of kindness as Evadne presented the treats to her with a smile that crinkled her eyes.

"Marilla, you just have to try these. They've been here since morning and I've been dying to dig in, but I wanted to wait for you."

Marilla's frail form was propped against the headboard, her pale, delicate face thinner than ever, which distressed Evadne; the former responded softly, "You should have eaten, Evadne; there's no need to wait on me."

Evadne blinked, "Oh, but I couldn't. They were especially picked out for you!"

"Who got them for me?"

Evadne paused, while Marilla's keen mind gently prodded, "Is it Aaron?"

"Yes, it's from Aaron," since she asked, Evadne preferred honesty to avoid further pretense.

"Did Aaron come by?"

As innocent and pure as Marilla was, her eyes brightened at the thought of him, "He came all the way; why didn’t he come in for a bit?"

"He's a busy man, had to rush back to the police department for a case."

"Then when you have a moment, could you make a call and thank him for me?" Marilla's comely features were a portrait of sincerity.

Evadne nodded, somehow a bittersweet feeling washing over her. She could tell that Marilla had no appetite; even dinner had been a small affair, let alone pastries.

Still, Marilla persisted, taking small bites, swallowing with effort, a faint joy lighting up her features.

"They're delicious, sweet. You should try one too, Evadne."

"Alright," Evadne managed, choking back a sob, the pastry squished in her grip.

Marilla had learned to care for others, to hide her struggles so as not to worry her loved ones. In her grandfather's presence, she ate heartily, all to keep his worries at bay.

But such pretense only deepened Evadne's heartache. Marilla had grown up; gone were the carefree days of innocence.

At that moment, noticing Marilla's loose, silky hair, Evadne asked in astonishment, "Marilla, where's your favorite white jade hairpin? I don't see it."

Marilla's hand, holding the pastry, suddenly tensed, her eyelashes trembling, "I gave it to Lily. I asked her to return it to Jareth."

Evadne's heart clenched, she grasped Marilla's cold hands, "You returned the hairpin to Jareth? Are you sure about this? Do you know what this means?!"