Chapter 4 Maxine sat in the very center of the concert hall, the sound of strings weaving a gentle melody around her, and Reid's tender smile filling her vision. He leaned over, carefully adjusting her shawl, and asked in a low voice, "Are you cold?" She shook her head, but couldn't help frowning as a sharp cramp twisted in her lower abdomen. Reid noticed immediately. "Is it your period?" She felt the warmth spreading beneath her and nodded. His palm, warm and steady, pressed gently against her belly, massaging in slow circles, his tone apolo- getic. "Is it really bad? Do you want to go home?" Maxine shook her head. Unable to persuade her, Reid called his assistant and asked them to bring some herbal tea and premium dark chocolate. The whole time, his attention never left her. He kept rubbing her stomach, asking in a soft voice if she wanted a hot water bottle, if she needed a blanket, treating her as if she were still the precious treasure he held in the palm of his hand. Half an hour later, someone hurried over, calling quietly, "Mr. Merrow, your things are here." Maxine and Reid turned at the same time. It was Kelsey. She held a paper bag, her hair still damp, her face pale. Reid's expression changed instantly. "You just got better-who told you to come? I called Andre, not you." Kelsey bit her lip, her voice soft. "Mr. Wiles is in the middle of a meeting. I was worried Ms. Valemont might be in a lot of pain, and I didn't want you to wait, so I brought it myself..." As she spoke, she carefully handed over the paper bag, adding, "It's pouring outside. I forgot my um- brella... But don't worry, I kept the molasses and chocolate safe. They didn't get wet at all." 0.0% • 06:31 "Babe, I'll go make this for you." Maxine didn't say a word, curling up quietly on the sofa. She was drifting off to sleep when faint noises from the kitchen woke her. She got up to look. And saw Reid pinning Kelsey against the counter, kissing her deeply. Kelsey tried to push him away, her protest half-hearted. "Don't... Ms. Valemont is waiting for you..." "Forget her for now." Reid's voice was low and rough. "You came all this way in the rain-are you try- ing to break my heart?" "I just didn't want Ms. Valemont to suffer... If you see her hurting, you'll be upset too..." Kelsey's voice trembled with tears. "I just want you to be happy..." Reid seemed even more moved, kissing her harder. Kelsey whimpered softly. He chuckled, his voice gentle. "Starting to feel it now?" Kelsey blushed and tried to push him away. "Go be with Ms. Valemont-I... I can handle it myself..." "How?" Reid teased, his tone indulgent. "Some things just need a man's help to feel good." His hand slid lower. Then came the sound of fabric rustling, Kelsey's muffled gasps, and Reid's low, coaxing murmur, "Easy... relax..." Maxine stood outside the door, the pain in her chest tearing her apart. She remembered their first kiss. When she was 18, beneath a sky full of fireworks, he'd cupped her face and asked, so gently, "Max, can I kiss you?" She'd blushed and nodded, and he'd kissed her like she was the most fragile thing in the world. She remembered their first night together. He'd been so careful, asking over and over if it hurt, only moving forward when she shook her head. Af- terwards, he'd held her for a long time, promising to treat her well for the rest of his life. 44.1 %. 06:31 ལ་་སཔ་༦་ ╗ But now, here he was, in the kitchen, using his hands to pleasure another woman. "Reid, you've betrayed me completely," she thought to herself. It felt like her heart was being ripped in two, the pain so sharp she could barely stand. She staggered back, accidentally bumping into a decorative vase by the wall. "Who's out there?" Reid's cold, sharp voice rang out. 288 Vouchers : Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!