Chapter 11
The quiet bustle of the late–night airport faded into background noise as Truman frowned at Winifred’s suitcase. Though she’d agreed to return with him to the Chappell estate, she’d only packed a handful of outfits–barely enough for a short trip.
“Are you planning to come back or something?” He shook his head. “And why drag these old things back?”
Winifred gave him a gentle smile. “Joseph’s out of surgery now. He should wake soon, and then he can help us find Eugene.” She hesitated, gaze dropping. “Besides… I still need to finalize the divorce with Gregory.”
At Gregory’s name, Truman’s face darkened. “That blind fool wouldn’t know a diamond if it stared him in the face–chasing after some polished glass while ignoring the real thing. Just end it and be done with him.”
If they hadn’t been pressed for time, he’d have gladly punched some sense into Gregory for slighting his sister.
+20
Winifred’s chest tightened at the memory of Gregory’s devotion to Mandy. Three years of trying, and she’d never once melted that icy heart. It was time to walk away–any longer, and she’d only be fooling herself.
The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal. She drew a deep breath. “Let’s go, Truman,” she said.
Gregory walked home, his mood heavy. He was certain Winifred wouldn’t dare run off with Truman–not at this late hour.
But he was wrong. The moment he stepped inside, Wendy, one of the house staff, hurried over. “Mrs. Hoffman left with a suitcase half an hour ago,” she said. “She didn’t say where she was going, but she was with a very handsome young man.”
A handsome young man? Truman?‘ Gregory thought, his expression souring.
“Mr. Hoffman?” Wendy’s voice grew concerned as she took in his ashen face. “Are you feeling alright? You’ve gone quite pale.”
“I’m fine,” Gregory snapped, and then turned on his heel and marched upstairs.
He burst into the bedroom and wrenched the wardrobe doors open–Winifred’s clothes still hung inside. Her makeup and hairbrush sat exactly where she always left them. She hadn’t run off with Truman after all.
‘Then where did she go with Truman so late?‘ he fumed. ‘And how could she just leave Grandpa like that?‘
Gregory pulled out his phone and dialed Winifred’s number. To his surprise, it rang–she hadn’t turned it off this time.
On the plane with Truman, Winifred was just about to power down her phone when Gregory’s name flashed across the screen.
1
She froze, staring at the caller ID, her finger hovering over the button. After a long moment, she declined the call and shut off her phone. There was nothing she wanted to say to him anymore.
When the call disconnected abruptly, Gregory felt a sharp throb at his temples, his jaw tightening in instinctive reaction. Never in all their years together had Winifred dared to hang up on him.
He drew a steadying breath and immediately redialed, only to hear the mechanical voice informing him that the number was unavailable.
He raised his arm as if to hurl the phone across the room, then caught himself at the last second. With a frustrated growl, he flung it onto the couch instead, planted his hands on his hips, and began pacing.
Gregory scowled, his gut telling him something wasn’t right. Ever since Truman appeared, Winifred had been acting distant, barely looking his way.
“That pretentious social climber, he thought bitterly. ‘She’s obviously setting her sights on Truman. Everyone knows he’s the richest man in Naville. All that nonsense about loving me was just an act. Glad that I never fell for it.’
Yet the anger burning in his chest refused to subside. ‘Fine then, Winifred. If you walk out that door, don’t you dare come back. The words screamed silently in his mind
On the airplane, Winifred suddenly shuddered. Truman turned toward her. “Are you cold? I’ll ask for a blanket,” he said, ready to press the call button.
“No need,” Winifred replied, shaking her head. “Just got this sudden chill–feels like someone’s cursing me behind my back.”
“Who’d be talking about you now?” Truman arched an eyebrow.
Winifred simply shrugged. “Couldn’t say.”
Truman gave a derisive snort. “Honestly, the Hoffmans don’t deserve your consideration. Stop wasting your energy on them.”
“Not quite,” Winifred countered gently. “Joseph was always good to me.”
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Chapter 11
“Still, no matter how kind he was, he could never compare to your real family,” Truman added.
Winifred nodded quietly. She had always known the Hoffman residence was never truly her home.
As morning light crept across the horizon, she returned to the place she’d left behind three years earlier.
