Chapter 144

Lexi was jolted awake by the sound of her phone buzzing in the early hours of the morning. It was a call from Natalia. “What’s up, Natalia?” she mumbled, still half asleep. “It’s not even dawn yet.”

Natalia sniffed on the other end of the line. “Nothing, I just thought I’d wait for you guys at the airport.

Go back to sleep”

Lexi instantly woke up. Natalia’s voice sounded off. “Natalia, have you been crying? Did that jerk Magnus upset you again?”

Natalia swallowed back her tears. “No, Lexi, I’m fine. What time is our flight? Can we leave as soon as possible?”

Lexi could hear the quiver in Natalia’s voice but decided not to press further. “Alright, let me check the earliest flights. We’ll leave early”

She reached for her laptop on the bedside table, quickly searching for the earliest flights to France.

“Found it. Natalia, there’s a flight in an hour and a half. I’ll be there soon.”

Although Lexi didn’t know what had happened between Natalia and Magnus, she still hoped Natalia would confront Magnus. But for now, she would stay by Natalia’s side “Okay, I’ll be waiting” Natalia said, her resolve to leave this heart–wrenching place was set. “Sorry for the inconvenience, Lexi,”

“Don’t be silly, we’re best friends “Lexi reassured Natalia “Everything will be better once we get to France and clear our minds.”

Natalia nodded, although she knew that some troubles weren’t that easy to shake off.

“Alright, I’ll quickly pack. You should get ready as well. We have only an hour and a half. See you at the airport” Lexi hung up, hastily stuffing clothes into her suitcase Natalia packed her belongings, most of which were gifts from Magnus. She took only her clothes and left everything else behind. She walked past Magnus room, glancing at the peacefully sleeping man oblivious to her departure.

She thought to herself: “Magnus, take care” And she left.

Natalia checked the time and realized it was still early, Instead of going straight to the airport, she thought of going directly to Lexi’s house to go to the airport with her. So, she grabbed her bag and headed over. By the time she arrived at Lexi’s house, the day was just starting to brighten Lexi, while brushing her teeth, opened the door and asked, “Who is it? Why so early?” When she saw Natalia standing at the door looking pale, Lexi was shocked dropping her toothbrush on the floor. She quickly ushered Natalia inside and said, “Natalia, weren’t we supposed to meet at the airport? Why have you come here? Is everything packed? What happened between you and Magnus?”

Natalia shook her head “Nothing. I just thought id head to the airport with you. Are you packed?”

“My God!” Lexi spat out her mouthwash, frantically scratching her head. “I don’t even know what to pack.”

Natalia helped Lexi tidy up her scattered clothes, while Lexi hopped around, looking for her passport.

“How did you pack so fast, Natalia?”

“I didn’t have much to pack Just some clothes. Natalia answered, neatly folding Lexi’s clothes ‘Pick up the pace, we can’t afford to miss our flight, “All right, all right! Weren’t you the one who was unsure about going to France yesterday? Now you woke me up before dawn” Lexi yawned as she emerged from the house and started packing her passport. Looking over at Natalia’s baggage, she raised an eyebrow. That’s all you’re bringing?”

“Yep, it should be sufficient, Natalia replied, unconcerned. Her bag was filled with several sets of clothes, which she felt was more than enough But Lexi looked like she had just heard the biggest joke in the world, “Oh my God! Natalia, we are going abroad! It’s not a short trip that we’ll be back in a few days How can you make do with so little? I can’t afford to buy everything we need aboard.”

It’s okay I really have enough” Natalia reassured, “Are you ready? If so, let’s head to the airport “Let me see, sunscreen, foundation, facial mask, credit card. “Lexi checked, “Yep, I think I have everything. Let’s go.”

As they stepped out of the house, Lexi was about to close the door behind them when a sudden realization made her dash back inside, “Oh no, I forgot my phone”

Watching Lexi’s frantic rush, Natalia shook her head helplessly. When would her carefree friend finally learn to be more organized?

Finally, they rushed off to the airport, catching a cab just in time for their early flight to France, leaving behind Melfort Magnus woke up late, the remnants of a hangover fogging his mind. He reached over to Natalia’s side of the bed, only to find it cold and empty His mind conjured up last night’s events he was angry, intoxicated, danced with Isabella, and then everything became a blur He remembered his wife crying Her face was filled with tears, and she wouldn’t let him touch her. He needed her badly He bolted upright Natalia” He called out for her, searching throughout the house but finding no sign of her Perhaps she was downstairs.

Magnus didn’t think much of it, wobbling towards the bathroom, certain that his wife wouldn’t just leave without a word Since Magnus was already awake, he might as well empty his bladder Feeling quite relieved after his little rendezvous with the bathroom, Magnus sauntered over to the sink to wash his hands. As he lifted his hand, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror Boy, was he a sight for sore eyes His hair was a wild mess, and he had no idea where his clothes had ended up But what really caught him off guard was the bught red lipstick mark printed on his chest.

Magnus was taken aback. His wife would never wear lipstick, let alone such a garish shade of red.

Who the hell left this mark?

With a furrowed brow, he tried to recall if there had been any flirtatious encounters the night before. But for the life of him, he couldn’t remember a thing.