Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 16

Calvin leaned in too close, his breath hot against her ear.

A silent provocation.

In the past, Eliza’s body would have already softened halfway.

But this time, she felt nothing worse, even a wave of disgust.

She raised a hand to push him away.

But the moment her palm touched his chest, he tilted his head and kissed her.

It was sudden, leaving her no time to avoid it.

The kiss landed squarely.

Once, Eliza had loved kissing Calvin. She had been addicted to it.

Calvin was a man of strict discipline: no smoking, no drinking.

Kissing him had always been like falling into a mist of cool mint at dawn, captivating, irresistible.

But this time, before the kiss could deepen, she turned her face aside.

Calvin didn’t realize she was resisting.

His lips grazed her ear instead, pressing light kisses as he murmured, his breath scorching:

“Is it over?”

They were too close. Eliza could feel his body’s reaction pressing against her.

Had Medea not been able to satisfy him these days?

Finally, Calvin seemed to sense her distraction.

His hand clamped tight on her waist, forcing her harder against the table, dragging her closer.

“If you won’t answer me, I’ll check myself.”

His hand began to slide down along her waistline.

Eliza slapped it down, only then realizing–he was asking if her period was over.

Just as she opened her mouth to reply, his phone rang.

The shrill ringtone split the silence of the room.

She recognized it instantly: his private line.

Calvin pulled out his phone without hesitation.

12.02

Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen

4.6%

Chapter 16

Eliza caught a glimpse of the screen.

The name flashing there Medea.

As if in defiance, she grabbed his wrist, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him first.

This time, it was Calvin who turned his head away.

“Don’t fool around,” he said.

“Weren’t you just thinking about it?” Her words carried double meaning.

It’s said when a man is overcome with desire, he can focus entirely on satisfying that hunger, forgetting everything else everyone else.

So she wanted to test him. She wanted an answer.

And Calvin… didn’t disappoint.

He firmly pushed her away and answered Medea’s call.

At that moment, Eliza lost all strength, all will.

She leaned weakly against the table, watching him turn his back as he spoke, his tone calm: “What is it?”

“…I’ll be right there.”

He hung up, grabbed the coat from the sofa arm, and walked out the door.

From beginning to end, he never looked back at her.

Only long after the door had closed did Eliza finally move.

She told herself quietly:

It’s fine. This wasn’t the first time he left her behind.

She pulled out her phone, opened the smart lock app, and changed the password.

Then turned to the window.

Of course, the sun wouldn’t rise in the west tomorrow.

Late that night, Medea personally saw Calvin to the parking lot.

“Caly, thank you tonight. If not for you, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

“It was nothing.”

“Nothing for you, but for me it was huge!”

Her voice trembled, laced with fear still. “If not for you, my mother might have…”

“She’s fine. Don’t scare yourself.”

His words soothed her. She relaxed, though her eyes still glistened.

12:02

Seven Years a Fool, One Day a Queen

4.7%

Chapter 16

“I hope the results come back good.”

“I’ve already spoken to Doctor at the hospital. If you need anything, just tell him.” Calvin’s arrangements were thorough.

“Thank you, Calv,” she whispered again.

This time, though, her eyes on him held something more–something tender.

On the way back, Calvin dialed Eliza.

He had meant to ask how long she planned to rest, and when she would return to work.

With her gone, Sadie had made a complete mess of things.

He was not used to it.

But to his surprise, Eliza’s phone was switched off.

In seven years, this had never happened before.

Calvin frowned, for the first time sensing she wasn’t the same as before.

Though he couldn’t put a finger on exactly what had changed.

Eliza didn’t return to work until three days later.

The moment she arrived, Sadie rushed over to complain.

“Eliza, finally! If you hadn’t come back today, you’d never see this adorable me again.”

“What’s wrong?”

She was in a surprisingly good mood.

After seven years as a beast of burden, suddenly having her own life felt… refreshing.

Even the old unhappiness had faded away.

“What’s wrong? You know how terrifying President Young is! These days, I swear he’s almost driven me insane!”

“Is it that bad?” Eliza soothed.

“Of course! You know what he’s like, perfectionist, sharp–tongued. Even the tiniest mistake, and he’ll rip you to shreds! Eliza, how did you survive seven years of this?”

Sadie truly couldn’t imagine what her life had been like.

And he wasn’t exaggerating.

Calvin was infamous for being difficult.

Eliza had known this since day one.

The only reason she’d endured so long was her stubborn courage.

Though she’d lost badly in the end, at least it wasn’t too late.

12.02

Seven Years a Fool, One Day a Queen

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify