When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Chiara’s footsteps hesitated for a brief moment as she approached the dining table. She paused, taking a deep, steadying breath before moving forward. The morning had passed without a single bite, and the familiar weakness from low blood sugar began creeping in, urging her to eat something soon.

Across the room, a maid emerged from the laundry area, balancing a heavy bundle of bedsheets, destined for the courtyard to dry in the sun. Chiara’s eyes flicked toward the maid, and suddenly, she choked slightly on the spoonful of soup she was about to swallow.

“Are you alright, Mrs. Goodman?” Lindsay’s voice was filled with concern as she stepped closer.

Quickly covering her mouth, Chiara fought back a cough, feeling a slight tickle in her throat. Her cheeks warmed with a faint blush, but she managed a small wave to reassure Lindsay she was fine. Taking a calming breath, she resumed eating her meal with a composed demeanor.

Lindsay’s smile was gentle and warm. “Have you and Mr. Goodman managed to sort things out? Does this mean we can all breathe easier around here now?”

Chiara remained silent, her mind drifting back to those anxious early months of her marriage. She remembered how tense the atmosphere had been, how the staff would brace themselves whenever Titus slipped into one of his icy moods. But “working things out” wasn’t quite the truth of their relationship at the moment.

“I won’t be back for dinner tonight, Lindsay. You don’t need to prepare my portion,” she said quietly.

“Got it,” Lindsay replied with a nod.

Chiara gave a brief nod in return, grabbed her bag, and left the room without another word.

Arriving at the airport an hour ahead of schedule, Chiara sought to pass the time by playing games on her phone. Just as she was fully absorbed in a challenging level, her phone screen lit up with Titus’s name. She hesitated, taking a slow breath before accepting the call.

When she didn’t answer immediately, Titus’s voice cut through the silence, low and sharp. “Where are you?”

She felt no need to explain her whereabouts or give an account of her movements. “What do you want?” she responded, sidestepping his question with a hint of weariness.

But moments later, the unmistakable announcement of a boarding call echoed clearly through the phone’s speaker, betraying her location.

“So, what’s brought you to the airport?” Titus asked, his tone darkening.

Chiara glanced down at her freshly manicured nails, feeling tired. “I’m here to pick someone up. If that’s all, I’ll hang up now.”

She ended the call before he could say anything else.

For a few moments, Chiara stared blankly at her phone, then let out a soft, hollow laugh. It struck her suddenly—through all their three years together, she had never been the one to end their calls first.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Titus stared at his phone, his expression hardening. He shot a quick look at Paul. “Find out why she’s at the airport.”

Paul nodded briskly. “Right away, Mr. Goodman.”

Chiara checked the time again. She had about thirty minutes to wait, though with international flights often delayed, the wait could be longer. Bored, she was about to dive back into her game when a pair of polished men’s dress shoes came into view. She stared at them for a moment before looking up.

A faint smile played on Jeffrey’s lips. “Well, fancy seeing you here.”

Chiara recognized him immediately—one of Titus’s close associates. They had met a few times before, the last encounter still fresh in her memory.

Sliding her phone into her bag, she returned a polite smile. “What a pleasant surprise, Mr. Yates.”

Jeffrey raised an eyebrow, a teasing sparkle in his eyes. “Come on, we’re practically friends through Titus. No need for such formality.”

Though she knew of their friendship, Chiara didn’t feel close to Jeffrey herself, so she kept her response courteous but reserved.

“Are you here to pick someone up?” he asked casually.

“A friend,” Chiara nodded. Her gaze flickered toward Jeffrey’s secretary and assistant, who were busy handling their luggage. “Business trip?”

Jeffrey eased into the seat beside her with smooth confidence. Chiara hesitated briefly but shrugged off any discomfort.

“Yes, I’m headed to Beriton,” he confirmed.

Chiara smiled politely. “Safe travels,” she said, unsure of what else to say.

Jeffrey noticed that she wasn’t wearing any makeup, which was unusual for the women he knew in their circle. But Chiara didn’t need it; her skin glowed naturally, flushed with a soft, fresh color that made her look radiant.

Chiara’s eyes remained fixed on the stream of arriving passengers. When Eunice finally appeared, her face lit up with joy as she waved and called out, “Eunice!”

Eunice spotted her immediately, pushing her sunglasses up as she hurried over. “Darling, I’ve missed you so much!” she exclaimed, pulling Chiara into a warm, heartfelt embrace.

Chiara returned the hug tightly, her face glowing with happiness. “I’ve missed you too.”

Their reunion, two beautiful women reunited after time apart, attracted appreciative glances from nearby travelers. While Chiara felt a bit self-conscious under the attention, Eunice seemed completely oblivious.

“Two years is far too long,” Eunice said softly, cupping Chiara’s face in her hands as she studied her. “Let me get a good look at you.”

Blushing under her friend’s admiring gaze, Chiara smiled warmly. “We should get moving. It’s pretty crowded here.”

Eunice’s eyes swept over her again, and a playful grin spread across her face. “You look incredible with that rosy glow. Seriously, what’s your secret?”

Chiara knew exactly what she meant. She’d had the same thought when catching her reflection that morning—which was precisely why she’d chosen this high-necked blouse.

“Just lucky, I guess,” Chiara replied lightly, gently steering them toward the exit.

Eunice, never one to hold back, planted a loud kiss on Chiara’s cheek. “I just had to steal some of that good luck.”

Slightly embarrassed by the curious stares from strangers, Chiara quickened her pace, pulling her friend along. Yet her radiant smile and sparkling eyes revealed how much she treasured Eunice’s affection.

“Mr. Yates, we should board now,” his assistant reminded Jeffrey.

Jeffrey watched the two women walk away, arm in arm. “Is that the Murphy heiress?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I believe so,” his assistant confirmed with a nod.

Turning away, Jeffrey let the memory of Chiara’s shy, delighted smile linger in his mind. “Let’s go,” he said quietly.

The quiet hum of the airport surrounded them as the day moved on, but the silent roads of their lives held memories that neither could forget.