He Waited She Wilted (Ottilie and Yorath) novel Chapter 29

A soft pillow rested beneath her head.

A warm comforter was draped over her body.

Beside the bed was a slim nightstand, barely small enough to squeeze into the space.

On top of it sat a thermos container, her phone, and an insulated water bottle.

Ottilie sat up, leaning against the headboard, staring at the tightly shut door for a long time before finally climbing out of bed.

She yanked the door open, bundled up the comforter, and hurled it into the hallway. Right on top of it went the expensive coat Yorath had left behind.

It took her a few trips, but she relentlessly purged the room of every single item that didn't belong to her.

Looking at the stark, empty room, she finally felt a sense of relief.

She ordered the cheapest bedding she could find online, then went down to Harvest Stop and bought plain rice porridge with pickled vegetables.

After eating, her strength started to return.

She noticed a packet of cold medicine lying on the floor.

She picked it up and casually tossed it into the trash can.

She wasn't going to let Yorath think she couldn't be shaken off.

The greatest advantage of youth was resilience. Illness hit like a landslide, but it faded away just as steadily.

Within two days, Ottilie was mostly recovered and went back to work.

Nyssa Tarrant, heavily disguised behind a mask, showed up at the breakfast shop to buy food.

Just to keep Ottilie talking, she ordered a massive pile of random items.

"Ottilie, I heard you were sick. I came to check on you."

"Thanks." Ottilie methodically bagged the items with practiced efficiency.

Nyssa casually leaned on the counter. "Yorath came by my house to visit last night. He spent a long time talking to my father in his study. My mom told me they were discussing our marriage. We're getting married. I'd love to invite you. Will you come?"

"No," Ottilie replied flatly, handing the massive bag to Nyssa and turning her attention to the next customer in line.

Nyssa refused to leave. She stood to the side, pressing, "Why won't you come?"

"I can't afford a wedding gift." Ottilie gave the honest truth.

"With our relationship, talking about money ruins the sentiment! Come on, I really want you there." Nyssa's tone was incredibly soft and sweet, the kind most people couldn't bring themselves to reject.

She got her paycheck, she garnered massive public sympathy, and most importantly, she secured Yorath's profound guilt.

Her only regret was that the blow to Ottilie hadn't been lethal enough.

She had to crush Ottilie completely before the girl had a chance to climb out of the dirt.

Trying to crawl back into the entertainment circle? Trying to crawl back into Yorath's bed? Not on her watch.

"Huxley, how are things looking with Shawn?"

Huxley sneered in disgust. "He's an idiot. Addicted to eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, and he thinks way too highly of himself. Just wait and see how I destroy him."

"If you're going to make a move, make sure it's clean and absolute. Drive him straight to the edge. When that happens, Ottilie will naturally come crawling to our door to beg, and you can do whatever you want with her."

Huxley had lusted after Ottilie for years. Back then, Yorath had been fiercely protective of her, so he had the desire but never the guts.

But once a beauty lost her powerful patron, she was just a fish on the chopping block, waiting to be gutted.

His body ran hot at the thought.

He glanced down at his lap.

*Don't worry,* he thought. *I'll make sure you get a full meal very soon.*