Divorced Dazzling and Desired novel Chapter 10

**Raindrops Kissing Silent Streets – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 10**

Renee rummaged through her bag, fingers brushing against the various items until they landed on a delicate folding fan. As she unfolded it, a glimmer of something caught her eye—a large white candy, meticulously wrapped in shiny paper, nestled among her belongings.

With a playful grin, she unwrapped the candy and extended it toward Jasper. “Here, take a piece of candy. Sugar can work wonders for anxiety and stress, you know?”

Jasper, still grappling with his breath, lifted his eyelids just enough to meet her gaze. His eyes, sharp and piercing, flicked over her face before settling on the candy she offered.

“Are you… trying to suffocate me?” he managed to croak out, his voice barely above a whisper.

Renee paused, her mind racing. He had a valid point. What if she popped the candy into his mouth and it lodged in his throat? The very thought sent a chill down her spine.

With a swift decision, she popped the candy into her own mouth instead.

“See? Your mind’s clear, so you must be okay,” she said, chewing slowly while fanning him with the delicate fabric. “Just breathe. It’s alright, don’t be nervous. I… I’ll tell you a story to take your mind off things.”

Despite the claustrophobic confines of the elevator and her own rising anxiety, she couldn’t ignore the distressed man beside her. How could she focus on her own fears when he seemed so close to breaking down?

With no other choice, she began to weave a tale, hoping to distract him from his panic.

“Once upon a time, there was a little girl who adored her red hood, and so everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood. One day, her mother asked her to take a basket of cake and wine to her ailing grandmother, who lived on the other side of a vast forest. Little Red Riding Hood…”

Renee dug deep into her childhood memories, trying to recall stories that would sound engaging and lively.

“You’re… so noisy!” Jasper interjected, his strained frown evident, as if the effort of speaking was almost too much for him.

Instantly, Renee fell silent, her heart sinking.

He was impossible to please!

Resigned, she obediently fanned him in silence, feeling the intensity of his grip on her hand—a grip that was almost painful, yet she didn’t dare pull away. Fear gripped her heart as she worried he might collapse at any moment. She opened her phone several times, desperate to call for help, but the signal was dead.

The elevator was an eerie tomb, the only sound the harsh rhythm of his labored breathing.

She noticed that every time she ceased her chatter, his grip tightened, and he seemed to worsen.

So, she kept talking, her voice a soothing balm against the tension in the air.

“Help is almost here. Just hang in there a little longer.”

“Would you like to hear a joke? I can tell you a joke. By the way, what’s your name?”

Her incessant babble buzzed in his ears like a persistent fly.

Jasper was drenched in perspiration, looking utterly drained as he leaned against the elevator wall. His gray shirt clung to him, and damp strands of hair clung to his forehead, making him appear both disheveled and vulnerable.

He blinked slowly, the world around him blurring as he opened his eyes a fraction wider.

Through the haze, he saw Renee, her fan fluttering gently, her lips moving as she spoke softly, never pausing.

Time dragged on, and after what felt like an eternity, voices finally broke through the silence from outside the elevator.

Rescue had arrived.

Moments later, the elevator doors slid open with a creak, and a rush of fresh air poured in, reminiscent of the crisp morning mist that dances along winding country paths—invigorating and full of promise.

Outside, Jasper’s driver, Simon Carter, stood anxiously, his brow furrowed with concern. He had been waiting outside the building for over an hour, unable to reach his boss by phone or catch a glimpse of him anywhere.

When news of the elevator malfunction reached him, he immediately feared the worst and contacted property management.

Upon seeing Jasper’s pale face, worry etched itself deeper into Simon’s features. “Sir, I’m taking you to the hospital,” he declared firmly.

Jasper leaned heavily against Simon’s shoulder, utterly spent, and as they began to leave, he turned his head, casting a long, meaningful glance back at Renee, his bloodshot eyes conveying a myriad of unspoken words.

Yet, in the end, he remained silent.

“Work is never truly done. Besides, nothing is more important than you,” he insisted, his resolve unwavering. “This time, I booked us on the largest cruise ship in the country, the Starlight Odyssey. It’s the ship’s maiden voyage in just four days, and tickets are nearly impossible to secure.”

Renee had heard whispers about the Starlight Odyssey, the crown jewel of luxury liners in the nation. Built by the Everest Group, owned by the affluent Zeller family, the ship was the result of a staggering six billion dollar investment. It ranked third among the world’s ultra-luxury cruise ships, a feat that had captured the imagination of many.

Just as Adam had mentioned, tickets for the inaugural voyage were a hot commodity.

With her schedule relatively clear lately, Renee found herself contemplating whether it might be refreshing to escape and experience the wider world.

“Alright, I’ll consider it,” she said, her voice softening slightly.

In the days that followed, Renee busied herself moving more of her belongings into her new residence at Platinum Heights.

However, she was taken aback to discover that the property management had undergone a significant change. When she inquired about it, she learned that the previous company had been dismissed following the elevator incident.

Curiosity piqued, she couldn’t help but wonder if the strikingly handsome young man she had encountered in the elevator was an heir to a wealthy family.

During this time, Renee also found pockets of free moments to reconnect with a few business contacts. Ultimately, she successfully sold her twenty percent stake in the Ascend Group for a staggering two billion dollars to the CEO of Pinnacle Group.

The night before their cruise trip, Adam finally returned after what felt like an eternity of absence.

He arrived bearing a bouquet of roses, and just as he had done before, he personally prepared an extravagant dinner for her.

After they finished their meal, they ascended the stairs together. Adam announced, “Since we’re going out tomorrow, I need to start packing.”

With that, he made his way to the walk-in closet.

Renee frowned slightly, casting a thoughtful glance at the closet before grabbing a book on economics and stepping out onto the balcony.

No sooner had she settled into her chair than Adam’s voice echoed from the bedroom.

“Renee, where are your bags and jewelry? Why are they all gone? And your clothes… Why is there so little left?”