Mrs. Winters took a deep breath while suppressing the constricting and anxious sensation that was rapidly breaking out within her chest.
She walked over to Adina, held her hands, and sighed. âAddy, everybody has two sides. Letâs take you as an example. Youâre determined while working, but youâre also gentle and patient when the kids are around. These two completely different personalities are still part of you. Itâs the same with Duke. No matter what side he shows, itâs still him, heâs still my son, your husband, and also the father to your children.â
âI understand, Mom.â
Adina forced out a smile, but it did not quite reach her eyes.
She pulled her hands away and said, âDuke is still waiting for me upstairs. Iâll take my leave now.â
She took a step, walked into the mansion, and started going up the stairs to the master bedroom.
Mrs. Winters clasped her hands together tightly.
With trembling lips, she mumbled, âIâm sorry, Duke. I can only let your brother take care of your wife and children since youâre not here anymore. Duke, I truly donât have any other choice. Iâm sorry. Iâm sorry...â
Her words slowly faded away into the night, disappearing into the pitchâblack sky.
Adina stood in front of the bedroom door and took a moment to compose herself before pushing the door open.
Earl emerged from the bathroom just as she entered.
He was wearing a bathrobe that was hanging loosely on his frame. The tattoos on his chest were partly visible under the warm yellow lights.
He sat down on the bed right away and turned to look at Adina with inexplicable emotions swirling in his eyes.
âCan you get dressed first ?â Adina asked quietly. âI need your help with something.â
Earl touched his lips as he resisted the urge to smoke while raising his eyebrows and said, âWeâll talk about it tomorrow. Itâs getting late now, letâs go to bed early.â
Adina turned to look for pajamas and said without a change in her expression , âIâm on my period, and Iâve run out of sanitary pads. Can you help me get some at the mart?â
Earlâs eyes immediately darkened.
After that, he let out a snort.
No wonder this woman wanted him to stay tonight. She was confident that he could not touch her, which was why she had boldly invited him to sleep together.
He leaned on the bed lazily and smirked. âThere are so many servants in the house. Just get them to buy it for you.â
Adina looked down and said, âThe last time I had my period, I wanted to ask the servants to buy it for me. But you said that itâs your responsibility, and you donât want to hand that responsibility over. Why do you want me to ask the servants this time?â
Earlâs eyebrows furrowed.
Did she intend to ask him to make a lateânight run to the mart to help her buy sanitary pads?
He would never do something like this.
âThat was last time, and Iâm afraid itâs not the case this time. If you donât want the servants to go buy it, then you can go yourself,â he said coldly.
He stood up and went to the balcony after saying that.
Adina could still see him flicking on his lighter and lowering his chin to presumably light a cigarette, even though he had his back facing the room.
She and Duke had not known each other for long, and she was not sure if the man was a smoker, but at least, he had never smoked in front of her.
Adinaâs eyes glistened, and she walked into the bathroom.
In the bathroom, dirty clothes the man had changed out of earlier were strewn all over the place. She took a glance at the items and walked away.