Chapter 1223
The Gables was as cold and empty as ever. The row of succulents on the windowsill had finally started to regain some color under his careful attention.
But it was too little, too late.
The ones that had already withered away were just empty pots now.
Felix hadn’t eaten all day. When he arrived, he went straight to the kitchen to make
a bowl of Noodle Soup with Bone Broth.
But no matter what he did, he couldn’t replicate Claire’s recipe.
He wanted to call her. He wanted to ask her exactly how she made the broth.
But as he stared at his phone, his courage abandoned him.
He was terrified she wouldn’t pick up.
Terrified he was still sitting on her blocked list.
In the end, he forced down a few bites of the bland noodles.
It tasted like ash.
He opened the fridge, looking for something to drink.
But the house had been empty for too long. The shelves were practically bare.
The only drink left was a single bottle of Apple Juice.
It was Claire’s favorite. She used to claim it helped with weight loss.
When she lived here, they always had it stocked.
But she hadn’t been to The Gables in so long that this was the very last bottle.
He picked it up, reading the label, and let out a bitter laugh.
The Apple Juice was expired.
Just like their marriage. They had passed their expiration date, and there was nothing left to salvage.
He placed the bottle back on the shelf and dialed Shawn Se
“Come out for a drink.”
It was late, but Shawn knew Felix was in a dark place, so he agreed without hesitation.
Half an hour later, they met at their usual bar.
Felix started throwing back shots the second he sat down.
He ordered the strongest liquor they had and drank it like water.
Shawn tried to pull the glass away.
“You just got out of the hospital. You’re going to destroy your body if you keep drinking like this,” Shawn sighed.
Felix ignored him.
He
w to get blackout drunk. He
obliterate his
l.ne
consciousness because only the numbness could stop the pain: NovelPeak.org
Every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was Claire.
He looked at Shawn, his voice cracking. “If I go after her now, do I have any
chance?”
Shawn
ed, his words hitting like
a bucket of ice water. “If you show
up now, you’re Justent belongs to
nuisance to her
NovelPeak.org
A nuisance…
Felix gripped his glass so tightly his knuckles turned white. His stomach twisted with agony.
He thought of the scene at the hotel window.
Claire and Wilbur, sharing a fork, sharing a cake, sharing a moment that should have been his.
What if Claire really was dating Wilbur?
Would she make Noodle Soup with Bone Broth for him?
Would
walk the same streets,
look at the same scenery, and
all the memories that Felix. had
create
taken for granted? NovelPeak.org
Would they do everything they used to do?
He was going insane with jealousy, but he was utterly powerless to stop it.
His phone buzzed on the table.
Felix didn’t even check the caller ID before rejecting the call.
Shawn glanced over and saw Madeline Lynwood’s name on the screen.
He raised an eyebrow. It was the first time he had ever seen Felix ignore her calls.
Madeline didn’t give up. The phone buzzed again.
Without a word, Felix picked up his phone and hurled it straight into the decorative Koi Pond next to their booth.
Unable to reach Felix, Madeline called Shawn instead.
Shawn answered.
As expected, she immediately demanded to know where Felix was.
“Yeah, he’s with me,” Shawn admitted.
“Where are you guys? I’m coming over right now,” Madeline said frantically.
“I don’t think he wants to see you tonight.”
Madeline’s breath hitched. “Shawn, please. Just tell me where you are. Please?”
Unfortunately for her, Shawn wasn’t Felix. He felt absolutely zero obligation to coddle her.
“Sorry.”
He hung up and put his phone on silent.
No matter how many times she called back, he didn’t answer again.