Sweet Flash Marriage with the Restrained Tycoon (Isabelle and Damien) novel Chapter 870

Chapter 870 Not Love

Chapter 870 Not Love

+359 Free Cal%

He had figured that once he was properly settled into his role at the company, he would carve out some time to deal with that personal matter.

That overseas business trip had been crucial for him to solidify his position within the firm, and he’d intended to look for Claudia once it wrapped up. Now, of course, it was too late for any of that.

Claudia felt she owed him an apology. He was just too good–so genuinely decent that she couldn’t help feeling she wasn’t worthy of him. And though it hadn’t been her intention, she’d ended up wasting so much of his time.

“Harold,” she whispered the name of the man lying beside her.

She wasn’t sure if he’d been awake already or had simply stirred at the sound of her voice, but he responded softly, “Mm?”

Hearing him, Claudia shifted closer, nestling against his side. Harold tightened his embrace in response, – then his hand drifted beneath the hem of her shirt.

For a moment, Claudia tensed, thinking he might be initiating something, but his palm simply came to rest on her lower abdomen, rubbing gentle, soothing circles.

“You feeling okay?” he murmured.

“Yeah.”

Harold slowly opened his eyes, leaned in, and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “What’s on your mind?”

Claudia burrowed deeper into his arms. “Nothing… I just wanted to say your name.”

Harold studied her for a moment before pulling her closer again, choosing not to press further.

He’d actually been aware when Claudia slipped out of the room earlier. He hadn’t been so drunk that he’d passed out immediately–just tired enough to rest his eyes. But she’d moved so quietly, like she was trying to keep something from him, so he’d pretended to be asleep.

Then she’d gone downstairs.

From their bedroom window, Harold had watched her. He’d also seen Harvey down there, sitting beside her, glancing her way occasionally. Harold could guess what they were talking about.

Not long after, Claudia had returned upstairs. The moment she came back to bed, she’d curled into him like a seeking kitten.

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” Harold asked gently.

“No,” she mumbled, hiding her face against his chest.

He stroked her hair. If she didn’t want to talk about it, that was fine. Whatever brought her comfort was

1/3

18:36 Mon, Jul

Chapter 870 Not Love

enough for him.

+35 Free CoMME

On Thanksgiving Day, the housekeepers at the country home had the day off. Damian and Isabelle took charge of the cooking, while Harold and Claudia headed into town to pick up some last–minute seasonings. The walk from the house to the main street took less than ten minutes.

They decided to stroll over, with Zander tagging along. The boy raced ahead with Daffy, while Harold and Claudia followed at a more relaxed pace.

Claudia glanced at Harold’s hand hanging loosely at his side. After a moment’s hesitation, she reached put and slipped her fingers into his.

A faint smaileched Harold’s lips. Then, without a word, he closed his hand firmly around hers.

“Last nigh

a message from him,” Claudia said, her tone weighted.

Harold

attach

Cla

look at her. He’d received one, too–the same unfamiliar–yet–familiar number, no name ible to call back. Any reply would bounce, just like before.

e it was from Hector. She just couldn’t understand why he hadn’t come to see her.

ords Happy Thanksgiving seemed to carry all the unspoken longing he held for her. Claudia Hector probably knew she would recognize it was him.

get one too?” she asked.

ou think… it could be my brother?”

t likely.”

e message Harold had received on the cruise ship had been from the same person—the man in the ht–blue suit jacket had been Hector.

ven if Harold couldn’t be absolutely certain the person who’d tried to meet him that day was Hector, the igns all pointed that way.

Hearing his answer, Claudia felt her eyes grow warm.

Before you went overboard on the ship, he tried to arrange a meeting with me, but it never happened,” Harold said, squeezing her hand. “But that isn’t necessarily bad news.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The suit he was wearing wasn’t cheap. And he had the capability to interfere with the surveillance around him–which means he has resources. He’s probably doing okay.” Harold gave her a reassuring pat on the head. “Besides, he didn’t look rough or unhealthy. Nothing like someone living on the run.”

Claudia managed a soft laugh

just from a glance?”

.ธ

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify