She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 96

The entire holiday season, they spent at the Sanford Estate.

A few days after New Year's, Luther took Hilda and Annie back to their apartment.

Late that night, while they were being intimate, Luther's personal phone lit up on the nightstand. One glance was enough to tell it was Jolie calling. With one hand planted beside Hilda's head, he used the other to decline the call, turning back to his wife with a simple murmur, "Let's continue."

Having been interrupted, Hilda had completely lost the mood.

The session ended in a hasty, mechanical finish.

After that, it didn't happen again.

Luther's phone never rang in the dead of night again.

Hilda assumed he had finally made things clear with Jolie.

Life settled into a peaceful rhythm.

After the holidays, she threw herself back into work. Annie was well cared for by both households. Hilda felt perfectly at ease dropping her off with Eleanor on occasion; the grandmother adored the child and provided the best possible care, always tending to her personally.

A month later, on a quiet night, Hilda had just stepped out of the shower and was towel-drying her hair when Luther emerged from his study. In a completely casual tone, he said, "Help me pack a bag. I'm flying out to Southbridge City tomorrow morning for a week-long business trip."

A week in Southbridge City?

Hilda was caught off guard.

Did he really need to go for that long?

She didn't press the issue, though. While he took his shower, she pulled out his suitcase and packed three tailored suits and a few casual outfits. When Luther stepped out and saw the bag, he removed the suits. "It's a company retreat. I don't need to dress so formally."

A company retreat?

Hilda was genuinely surprised.

She knew how busy Luther was; he rarely attended such events, let alone for a whole week. She thought of how little time Annie got to spend with him and figured, since she was only in kindergarten, maybe he could bring her along. She asked if it would be convenient to take Annie, perhaps bringing Rebecca along to help look after the child—it could double as an employee perk for the maid.

Luther paused.

Then he smiled, reaching out to pinch Hilda's cheek. "Next time, we'll go as a family of three."

Hilda didn't read too much into it.

It was true that a man traveling alone with a toddler would be difficult.

...

The next morning, when he was leaving, she carried Annie downstairs to see him off.

Hilda pulled the suitcase while Luther held the little girl.

The morning air was thick with a hazy mist, making it hard to see clearly. She assumed a private chauffeur would be coming to pick him up, but to her surprise, it was a company van.

A seven-seater Mercedes.

At first, Hilda didn't think anything of it.

She handed the luggage to the driver and took Annie back into her arms. Holding the little girl's hand, she smiled and waved goodbye. Luther patted Annie's head. Just as Hilda was about to step back, a window in the back row rolled down, revealing Jolie's face. She was wearing sunglasses and flawless makeup. Her expression was blank, but the seat next to her was clearly empty—likely reserved for Luther.

In a split second, Hilda felt like she had been slapped in the face.

She suddenly understood everything.

Perhaps Luther really had cut off private contact with Jolie.

At least, in front of his wife.

Maybe the seating arrangement was just corporate protocol.

Maybe Luther truly had no intention of rekindling things with Jolie.

On the fifth day.

A severe strain of the flu swept through Alpha City.

Both Hilda and Annie caught it.

Late that night, Annie spiked a fever.

It started at 100 degrees, but soon shot up to nearly 104. A torrential downpour was hammering Alpha City that night, showing no signs of stopping. Hilda knew how to drive, but her own head was spinning with dizziness. Terrified of getting into an accident, she dialed Luther's number to ask him to send a driver.

But his phone was turned off.

She tried repeatedly, with the same result.

Without wasting another second, Hilda called Lori. Fortunately, the secretary was in Alpha City and immediately arranged a car, personally braving the rain to rush over. The moment she arrived and touched the child's forehead, she gasped. "She's burning up! Does Mr. Sanford know?"

Hilda shook her head. "His phone is off."

Lori quickly scooped up the child.

She and Hilda rushed Annie to the hospital.

The rain was relentless.

Inside the dim car, as Lori spoke to Hilda, she noticed the other woman's reactions were sluggish. Uneasy, she reached out to check Hilda's forehead—and recoiled in shock.

—Hilda was burning with a terrifying fever of her own.