Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 137

Arthur was entirely distracted at work today.

Assuming it was just because Arthur hadn't been on the site in a while, Dustin clapped him on the shoulder. "Take a breather, Arthur. If you keep zoning out like this, you're gonna get yourself killed."

He pulled Arthur aside for a smoke break.

Arthur's brow was heavily furrowed. "Dustin, I..."

"Save the apologies. I'm not trying to lecture you, but you really shouldn't have clocked in today. Arthur, I know you're trying to prove a point to Grace, but do you really want Xanthe overthinking this?" Dustin had seen right through Arthur's hesitation.

Yesterday, he had been ecstatic about selling lunchboxes with Xanthe, but last night he had called to say he was coming to the site today.

Dustin knew something was up, and he was right.

Arthur sighed heavily. "I didn't have a choice, man. You know how it is."

"I know you're a pushover. Sometimes ripping off the band-aid is better than dragging it out. Arthur, out of all the guys on this crew, you're the smartest, but you're also the most naive. Honestly? Twelve years. Speaking as a man, I could never do what you do." Deep down, Dustin respected Arthur's loyalty, but he also pitied his pathetic devotion.

There were plenty of fish in the sea. Why obsess over one that didn't even care?

Dustin had chewed Arthur out plenty of times in the past, but it always went in one ear and out the other. Over time, Dustin had gotten sick of sounding like a nagging mother.

Arthur clearly liked the abuse. What could Dustin do? He just kicked himself for ever getting involved and let Arthur do his thing on the site.

Ding! Arthur's phone buzzed. It was just the latest in a relentless stream of messages from Grace that had started the second he arrived at the site at six A.M.

[Arthur, we're out of green onions at the diner. You forgot to restock yesterday. Make sure you pick some up when you get back.]

[Arthur, what time do you get off today? Same as always, five o'clock?]

[Arthur, I have no appetite for lunch. Pick up some braised pork knuckle on your way back. I'm craving it.]

[Arthur, are you even reading my messages?]

[Arthur, Lucian wants that crispy fried pork you make. Pick up the ingredients when you get the other stuff.]

[Arthur...]

A massive wall of text from Grace, demanding he buy this and fetch that, without a single word asking how he was doing.

Arthur was used to it, but human nature made comparisons inevitable.

Take Dustin, for example. As soon as they clocked in, his wife had called to ask if he made it safely, if the workload was heavy, if he was tired, and what he wanted for dinner so she could prep it early.

Looking back at Grace's demands, Arthur felt a massive headache coming on.

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