He Waited She Wilted (Ottilie and Yorath) novel Chapter 103

"There's no need to trouble yourself, Mr. Fordham," Ottilie interjected smoothly. "I arrived with Mr. Walden, and I'll leave with him."

She gave Yorath a polite nod and walked right past him with Yves.

The hotel corridor was wide and empty, yet Ottilie felt as though the walls were closing in, the air so thin she could barely breathe.

Even without looking back, she could feel the weight of Yorath's gaze piercing straight through her heart.

She quickened her pace, rounding the corner and finally escaping his line of sight.

That very night, Ottilie received a call from Zavier Langley.

"Miss Sewell, I am incredibly sorry about the movie. I was forced into that decision due to circumstances beyond my control. I want to make it up to you and work together again, but I really need you to put in a good word for me with my wife. If you don't, she's going to divorce me."

Ottilie replied with practiced politeness. "You don't need to apologize, Mr. Langley. These things happen in this industry all the time. I completely understand, and I don't need any compensation. If you're open to it, I'd just like us to be friends. Paige is a reasonable woman. I'm sure if you explain everything clearly, she'll forgive you."

Zavier sighed in relief. "You're very gracious, Miss Sewell. Thank you."

"I'm perfectly willing to speak with her," Ottilie clarified, "but whether she actually listens to me is entirely out of my hands."

"Just you being willing to reach out is more than enough. Thank you."

After hanging up, Ottilie sent Paige Quinn a text, inviting her out for coffee.

Her current bank account balance could barely cover the cost of a basic meal, let alone anything extravagant.

Feeling guilty about how everything had played out, Paige agreed immediately.

A moment later, James Sewell called.

His first words were a sharp demand: "Ottilie, did you move out of Yorath's place?"

"Yes."

"Are you an idiot?! You've been with him all these years and you didn't even manage to get a house out of it! Why the hell would you move out? Go back right now. Even if he tries to kick you out, you refuse to leave!"

"Dad," Ottilie said flatly, "he's tired of sleeping with me. He has plenty of other women on the side."

"Does any of that matter when he has money?"

Ottilie hung up.

Her parents had never once considered her feelings, and they never would.

"Deal."

After parting ways with Paige, Ottilie walked back to her small rented apartment.

At seven-thirty that evening.

The Fordham family's ancestral home, Creekwood Manor.

It was the eve of a major holiday weekend, and for the first time in three years, the entire Fordham family had gathered under one roof.

The Fordhams observed a strict dining etiquette: absolutely no speaking at the dinner table.

During meals, even the sound of silverware clinking against china was considered inappropriate.

Yorath sat perfectly upright in his chair, his posture impeccable. With total calm, he looked at his family and announced, "An actress signed to my company has proposed to me, and I plan on accepting. I'm telling you all now so we can pick a special date for me to bring her home to meet everyone."

Lorenzo Fordham gently set his fork down on his plate.

The entire table immediately followed suit, placing their silverware down and sitting at rigid attention.

Even the crickets outside the window seemed to fall dead silent.