Chapter 16 An Amazing Mother–In–Low My mother–in–law, Paula Carter, asked from outside the room, “Bowm, ivory, are you twoasterpyth Rowan immediately stated the divorce agreement under the sheets before opening the door. “Why are you up slate, Main? your mom and wanted to check whether you two were still awake,” Paula said. oh, gonna sleep soon. That saw that the lights went on “Paula!” I took off the mask and padded over to the door, porterading to be a lovely couple with Howan. “We were just about to sleep,” linked with Rowan and leaned against his shoulder sweetly. He glanced at me mureptitiously without saying anything. “Yes, you should. It’s getting late. George is attending a business conference in a few days, so we made a last–minute trip to Alton City. We’ll stayer until then Instead of going to a hotel,” Paula said with a unile. George Payne was my father–in–law. ismiled widely. “That’d be great! It’s been ages since I last saw you and George. I’ll take you two out for nice meals over the next few days. Take this opportunity to Sure, sure. Now, you two should head to bed. Don’t let us affect your sleep” Palated and left after telling me and nowan a few more things. N There was one thing I’d gotten wrong throughout my previous life -I’d thought Rowan was someone who did whatever he wanted and rarely cared about what his family thought. That’s why I’d focused on him, thinking that no one else in the Payne family mattered as long as he were to fall for me. Later, when i saw how he had gone to such lengths to win his family’s acknowledgment and blessings for Ashley’s sake, I realized how much his family meant to him If I’d been good terms with Paula and George, or if I’d gotten pregnant, there was a chance I wouldn’t have lost so badly Ishut the door and sighed in relief, Then, Rowan and I stared at each other. I started thinking about a problem. “Are you going to take the couch or the bed?” He lay on the bed and said indifferently, “What’s there to think about? Do you think anything can happen if we sleep in the same bed?” Thad to say that he was great at stabbing with his words. Instead of arguing with him, I lay down on the other side of the bed. “Fine, then. ” This was our second time sleeping in the same bed since marrying. The fint had been on our wedding night, and he hadn’t touched me then either. We lay with our backs to each other. It was as if the other party didn’t exist. After awhile, Tasked, “Could you give me fan’s number or something? Rowan didn’t answer. 1 tumed to look at the back of his head. Had he already fallen asleep? I added, “I want to give him a shelling, ” “I’ve already done it,” he said Illy. Fine, then I shut my eyes and tried to go to sleep, just then, thunderclapped outside the window. It looked like a storm was coming After a particularly loud clap of thunder, I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my head. But even the rolling thunder couldn’t drown out Rowan’s icy srurl. I poked my head out and looked at him, I explained in a small voice, “Sorry, I’m scared of thunder. ” “What the does that have to do with me? He’d never cared about my well–being. He tugged the blanket back over him, Another dealing clap of thunder rang out. I instinctively shot into Rowan’s arms like an arrow leaving a bow. Divorce was still a long way away–it was more Important for me to make it though this first. He stiffened, seemingly finding this hard to stomach. Well, who would be happy holding a skeleton in bed on a stormy night? Even I felt my bones were too sharp. Rowan pried my arms off him, his expression ugly. “Don’t touch me, okay?” “Don’t take my blanket, then “Ifeigned composure, suppressing the bittemess and humiliation inside. Hecked the blanket onto me and got out of bed. He grabbed another blanket and slept on the floor instead. Iwrapped the blanket around myself and fixed my gaze on him. In my mind, I imagined his future life with Ashley. If she were afraid of thunder, I bet he would want nothing more than to hold her in his arms and become one with her. That night, I dreamed about my previous life again. The despair and tomment I’d felt then were etched into my When I woke up the following morning, Rowan was already gone. I changed and headed downstairs. Ella was cooking while the other maids were cleaning the house. Paula was trimming the plants in the garden that had been thoroughly tormented by the storm last night, and George was stretching “Ups early, Paula, George?” 1stepped outside to greet them “We can’t sleep mach at this age. We’d be better off getting up and exercising a little, Paula said with a smile. I walked over to her and naturally linked as with her, Ignoring the surprised look she gave me, I said, “Thave a friend who owns a jewelry shop, Paula. Sometime ago, she brought in an emerald bangle that looks absolutely stunning. “She needed some money for an emergency, and it hit me–you like collecting emerald bangles, right? So, 1 bought it, and I’ll be picking it up soon. I can pass it to you once get it” Paula was an avid collector of various emerald bangles. She even had a special storage room for them at home. I’d deliberately bought this one to suck up to her and bring us closer. hi wasn’t because I wanted to win Rowan back, though I just–nastily, I should say wanted to make his and Ashley’s journey a little tougher. It would be a tiny bit of revenge on my part Sure enough, Paula’s eyes lit up. “An emerald bangle? I’d love to see it once you bring it back! I’ll buy it from you if I like it!” “Now, now. What’s thintalk about buying anything? I’ll give it to you once I bring it back,” said sweetly. 1 did indeed have an enverald bangle–Mom had bought it for me a couple of years ago, and it had cost a fortune. If it could make Pauls like me more and pick on Babbey in the future. I felt it was worth the money. * kmpx you just want to give me something, but I can’t let you spend that money for nothing. I have to give you back the amount you paid,” she said lovingly while petting my hand I shook my head. “Don’t say that, Paula Rowan and I can’t be by your and George’s side all the time, so money is all we can use to compensate for that. As long as you two are happy and healthy, spending all the money in the world would be worth it. ” I never said Paula and Deurge echanged a look, probably baffled by my sudden change in attitude. Rowan and 1 had already been married for five years, but I’d never Deoige stopped his stretching and straightened his sleeves. “The thought is more than enough, Ivory. Paula and I don’t ask for much we just want to have a randchild son. You and Howan need to work harder on that!” Pasia seemed to remember something at his words. She pulled me aside and asked a little Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates… awkwardly, “Have you and Rowan gotten checked at the hospital before, Penry 14 as that boat tuled but body with all that pomense he gets up to?” My heart trembled. It was my first time noticing