Rebirth of Billionaire's Wife - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Are you leaving because of me?

The sound of the knock on the door startled Tiffany out of her deep sleep. She turned her head and adjusted her vision, blinking her sleepy eyes in response to Susan’s worried voice.

“Tiffany, are you there? What happened? Why aren’t you responding to me?”

Hearing Susan say something troubling, Tiffany scowled. Then, for some reason, it dawned on her, and she immediately began to glance down at the mess she had made the night before.

Gabriel’s picture covered up most of her bed and even the floor beneath her leg. No one knew about her having Gabriel’s picture hidden inside her closet, not even her mother, whom she secured inside the locker with the keys in her bag.

“I need to clean this mess before Mom takes the whole house on her head,” Tiffany mumbled frantically, and she began to pick up the pictures, pushing them back into the closet and fastening the door.

Once she was sure that nothing was left behind, she quickly rushed to open the door, only to see the worried Susan standing in front of her.

Tiffany was shocked to see her mother in tears, but instead of sobbing, she tried to calm her racing heart by looking down and closing her eyes.

“I thought something happened to you,” she muttered breathlessly and then lifted her head to turn to face Tiffany.

“Why weren’t you answering? I nearly lost my mind.” Susan’s worried expression changed to one of anger, and her tone also altered as she glared at Tiffany doubtfully.

Tiffany, who was still trying to fathom her thoughts, yawned, “I was sleeping, Mom, and you ended up waking me up with your constant banging.” She turned and walked back into the room, feigning indifference.

Susan frowned as she watched her daughter return to bed without making a sound. Though Tiffany was a light sleeper who would wake up at the sound of a bug, it was surprising to see her sound asleep. And for some unknown reason, it didn’t sit well with Susan.

“Well, now that you are awake, why not get changed and join me for breakfast? I have made all of your favorite dishes,” Susan remarked, glancing around the unclean room.

‘I’ll make sure to arrange everything after Tiffany leaves for college’

“Mom, I need to get some more sleep. I will wake up like usual,” Tiffany remarked as she reclined on the bed and shut her eyes, only to hear Susan sigh.

“All right, then I will reheat for you,” she said, leaving the room.

After the door shut, Tiffany abruptly opened her eyes and exhaled deeply. She was relieved that her mother had been able to easily believe her lies, even though she had just managed to get caught.

Luckily, she managed to conceal every picture inside the closet and secure it before Susan could see it, so she no longer had anything to worry about.

“I can go back to sleep now.”

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes once more, and decided to continue sleeping for a little while longer.

***

[Winston’s Mansion: Eveline’s Room]

With a quick shower, Eveline stepped out of the bathroom and got dressed. But all the while, Susan, whom she had seen on her way home, continued to occupy her thoughts.

Eveline was not sure if she was seeing things correctly or if it was all in her head. Nevertheless, she was able to see properly, even from a distance, and recognize anyone, so she could not question her vision.

Eveline stood in front of the long mirror, mindlessly running the comb through her silky hair as she continued to debate whether or not to call Susan.

Susan was not the kind of person to tell lies to anyone, especially herself. So when Eveline realized that she actually did, she felt strange.

Her mind began to spin in circles, making it difficult for her to think clearly. And when she couldn’t handle it, she finally dropped everything else and decided to call Susan instead.

Bringing her phone close to her ear, Eveline waited for Susan to answer and just expected the call to be received really quickly.

“Good morning, Miss Young. How are you doing?” Susan greeted Eveline with a bright smile.

Deep in the corner of her heart, Susan expected a call from Eveline and that’s what happened.

Eveline nibbled on her lip as she wondered how she should approach Susan about the incident. She was sure the lady she saw earlier was Susan, but then why would she lie to her when she could’ve told her the truth?

“Young Miss, why are you not saying anything?” Susan’s anxious voice pulled Eveline from her reverie, causing her to clear her throat in response.

“Morning Susan. I am doing great. I was just curious about how long you plan to stay in your hometown. I intended to get back to the mansion before Dad got there.” Eveline inquired in a normal but oblique tone.

As Susan heard her words, she hesitated, feeling hopeless about the falsehood she had told Eveline that day.

‘What if Young Miss is feeling homesick?’ she wondered, keeping in check with Eveline’s habits.

“Well, young Miss, what is your desired duration of stay there? If it is urgent, I can return today,” Susan continued, clinging to her lies. She can not just tell Eveline that she is in the city and not her hometown.

Eveline’s heart sank upon hearing Susan’s words and she nodded in understanding. It is unclear why she planned to deceive her, but if there were any reasons, why not tell her?

“Will it be possible for you to return by tomorrow?” she said, trying to hide her feelings. “I intend to go home the day after tomorrow.”

Eveline was not trying to get Susan to believe her lies, but she could not bring herself anywhere close to Gabriel’s circle of influence after what happened between them.

“All right, I can come tomorrow,” Susan said without hesitation. She knew her young Miss needed her and there was no way she could leave her unattended.

Susan responded with a faint hum before ending the call and releasing a deep breath. No matter how much Susan tried not to talk about it, something was not right, and she had to figure it out on her own.

Eveline pushed away all of her thoughts and saw herself in the mirror, preparing to face the family about her unexpected return, but not before coming up with a solid explanation.

****

[Breakfast Table]

“What happened, sweetheart? Do you no longer enjoy being here? Why suddenly plan to return home?” With worried eyes, Belle posed the question to Eveline, who feigned an awkward smile in return.

The instant she revealed her desire to return to Miller Mansion, Gabriel’s eyes narrowed, and for some reason, he felt responsible for it.

“Eveline, did anyone say anything to you?” Richard asked, astonished by her sudden decision as well.

“Did Gabriel or Daniel say anything?” he inquired.

Daniel shook his head immediately “I did not say anything, Dad,” he said, quickly turning his head in Eveline’s direction, “Eve, please tell him I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Fearing that his father would punish him for being impolite, he immediately turned to Eveline for clarification.

Eveline sighed and continued to stare at Daniel, but her eyes hardened the instant she saw Gabriel’s piercing gaze.

She inhaled deeply, dispelling all of their uncertainties and told them about Jonathan returning soon.

“I thought he was going to stay for a week there, but he happens to change his mind” Richard muttered feeling obliged by Jonathan’s return that got Eveline to leave the house earlier.

Eveline felt bad for playing with Richard and Belle’s feeling, but she couldn’t tell them the exact reason for why she decided to leave suddenly.

She wanted to pursue her father to let her return home as she also convinced Susan to return but when he announced his return prior to his due date, she took it as a chance to escape from Gabriel’s clutch.

“I so wanted you to spent more time with us just like earlier but guess we can’t force you since you already made up your mind” Belle said sadly that made Eveline feel guilty even more.

“Don’t be upset you both. It’s not like I am going abroad that you have to travel sky’s to meet me. I can anytime to meet you” Eveline faked her anger dismissing the sad look from their face.

“Yes, you can but still we wished you could stay with us for the time being ” Richard said expressing his desire.

“I promise I will come to stay here often but please you both don’t get sad” she requested hoping they would understand her.

“Okay but for now eat your breakfast. You haven’t even tasted anything” Richard said returning to his normal self and they resumed their breakfast before the kids decided to leave for college.

Daniel walked out first however Gabriel pulled Eveline to the side, away from everyone’s eyes and asked,

” Are you leaving because of me?” His eyes brooding dangerously into hers.