Chapter 49
Adelaide had always been the epitome of calm over the years.
That was because there were no other women around Stuart.
But then Morwenna appeared.
Seeing them all happy together, Adelaide lost her cool, her voice rising into a shrill scream as she accused them, tears streaming down her face.
Morwenna stopped eating her breakfast and looked up at Stuart.
She didn’t speak, just fixed him with her clear, questioning eyes.
Could a friendship of less than a month compare to a bond of over a decade?
Morwenna didn’t think so.
It irked her how they often referred to her as the maid.
Stuart hadn’t said anything either.
Now, everyone awaited Stuart’s answer.
Who mattered more?
Fletcher looked around, feeling overwhelmed by the whole fiasco. “What a mess!” he thought.
“You are different,” Stuart finally spoke.
This response did not satisfy Adelaide, her tears flowing non–stop. “Stuart, I can pack up and leave Windcharm Villas, but only if you send her packing too! Can you please kick her out?”
Fletcher listened, a knot forming in his stomach.
Stuart had gone through so much to bring Morwenna back. It was unlikely he’d send her away now.
Even for Adelaide, this was a taboo too far.
Just as expected, Stuart glared and snapped at Adelaide, “This ain’t your business. You know I’ve got a short fuse.”
Stuart was getting impatient.
When Stuart got impatient, he was ruthless.
Realizing the severity in Stuart’s eyes, Adelaide suddenly understood the gravity of her actions.
Her face turned pale and she looked as if she might faint.
Then Adelaide began to cough violently. “Stuart, I’m sorry,” she gasped between coughs, “I… I was just too worried about you, that’s why I wanted to stay…”
Her coughing sounded severe.
Stuart softened his harsh gaze and frowned. “Barclay told me you were sick. Have you been to the hospital? Why are you coughing like
that?”
Adelaide weakly replied, “No, I didn’t want to go alone.”
Stuart stood up abruptly. “Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
As they were about to leave, Adelaide suddenly grabbed Stuart’s sleeve.
She glanced at Morwenna almost imperceptibly, as if marking her territory before turning her eyes back to Stuart, soft and cautious.
Just as they were about to depart, Morwenna/finally spoke, “Stuart, why don’t you finish your breakfast first?”
She had been up before dawn cooking porridge, of which Stuart had barely taken a few sips.
“He’s injured. How can he recover if he doesn’t eat properly?”
Hearing this, Adelaide tightened her grip on Stuart’s sleeve. “Stuart, I ordered breakfast. We can eat at the hospital.”
Without looking back, Stuart led Adelaide away.
Morwenna was left in the quiet room, with an awkward Fletcher..
She stared at the mostly untouched food and zoned out.
Fletcher internally sighed, wondering what Stuart was playing at He had tricked the gin Into coming back, and now he wasn’t even pretending to care?
Chapter 49
Even if he was worried about Adelaide’s health, he could have been more discreet to spare Morwenna’s feelings.
“Mrs. Hetfield, Stuart and Adelaide have been friends for many years, and Adelaide’s health isn’t great. Don’t take it personally, okay?”
“Are you going to eat?”
“Uh… no, I’m good.”
“I’ll clean up then.”
Morwenna quietly began clearing the table.
It was normal for Stuart to choose Adelaide, wasn’t it?
After all, how could a relationship that’s only been around for a few weeks measure up to one that’s lasted several years?
Adelaide had even once said she was practically the lady of Windcharm Villas.