Chapter seventeen"You are a grown-up man," Mr. Thompson spoke with a tinge of disappointment laced within his words, "and you couldn't keep your marriage. It's disappointing that neither of you took marital life seriously."His statement hung in the air, casting a momentary shadow over the room. Charlie's initial instinct was to reply harshly, to defend himself and his choices, but he steeled himself, choosing instead to maintain his composure. With an internal sigh, he greeted his uncle with a warm smile, acknowledging him before taking a seat.The atmosphere in the room shifted slightly, as the rest of the family followed suit, settling onto the comfortable sofas in a collective motion. Tension mingled with affection, a delicate balance between familial bonds and the weight of expectations."Dad, did you think I was happy being a divorcee? Was it my fault that I married someone who was only after my money?" Charlie's voice carried a mix of frustration and vulnerability as he let hi
Chapter eighteenMr. Thompson, rose from his seat, his movements hesitant and deliberative. He glanced around the cozy living room, his eyes searching for an escape route as he contemplated leaving the room. Meanwhile, Charlie, a confident and determined young man, stood up with a resolute expression on his face, positioning himself opposite his father. The tension in the air was palpable as Charlie prepared to confront this delicate situation head-on, his voice steady and unwavering. It was clear that he was ready to challenge his father's decision, unafraid to voice his opinions and opinions about Fiona's qualifications, despite the lingering familial dynamic."That's why she has to get married to the man in our business line," Mr. Thompson declared firmly, his voice tinged with a sense of determination and conviction. He continued, with a conviction that hinted at his desire to safeguard the future of the family company. "Her suitor has to be the one who knows about our business, a
Chapter NineteenFiona's voice held a tone of surprise as she questioned Charlie's departure. "Are you leaving? I thought you would be sleeping over," she asked, her words tinged with a hint of disappointment. In response, Charlie let out a dry chuckle, his amusement laced with a touch of bitterness. "Not with that man," he confessed, his tone unsparing. The thought of sharing the same roof as someone who had caused him discomfort was enough to deter him from staying. Determined to seek solace elsewhere, he firmly added, "I am not going to get a good sleep being under the same roof with him. I would rather go to my house."As Charlie made his intention to leave clear, Fiona stepped forward, obstructing his path. Concern etched across her face, she silently implored him to reconsider.Fiona's plea for Charlie to stay a little longer lingered in the air. She hoped to entice him with the promise of preparing his favorite meal, a gesture driven by her desire to make him feel valued and l
Chapter twenty"Mum," he said with a touch of weariness, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration, "I need to focus on business right now. I don't want to rush into a relationship. I need to concentrate on making my mark in the industry." His words hung in the air, a sincere plea for understanding.In response, a soft chuckle escaped his mother's lips, her eyes filled with affectionate amusement. "I understand, dear," she replied gently, her voice carrying a mix of understanding and concern. "But you know your father's expectations. He was always a man of his word. If you don't remarry, you might not be considered the rightful heir. You've worked tirelessly to shake off that label, my dear, and I worry about the challenges you might face ahead." Her voice conveyed both her love for him and the weight of her concerns."I don't know what to do with your husband," he spat out, his anger evident through the phone line. "You always had a knack for choosing strong-willed men, didn't you?
Chapter Twenty one"Sorry, where did they pick you up?" Charlie inquired, his curiosity shining through. However, realizing that his manners may have faltered, he quickly apologized, realizing the potential offense his question might have caused."I mean, this is not how a date should go," he blurted out, a tinge of frustration coloring his words. "You can't expect me to comply with your requests right from the start. You don't know me, and you are being too forward." The words slipped out before he could think twice, a hint of defiance and vulnerability blending in his voice.However, the lady remained unfazed by his outburst, her composure unshaken."That's because I know everything about you already," the lady revealed, her voice brimming with a surprising familiarity. She effortlessly unveiled a series of details about Charlie, his identity and preferences laid bare before him. She mentioned his position as the first son of the Thompson family, his name being Charlie, his height o
Chapter twenty two"Then let's drink to the fullest," Charlie declared, raising his glass with determination. He gazed at his sister, their cups clinking together once again, the sound reverberating in the air.His sister's question pierced through the jovial atmosphere. "Little brother, did you ever find out why your ex-wife divorced you? You never really told me, and it seemed so sudden," she inquired, her concern evident in her eyes. Charlie's hand instinctively went to his chest, as if trying to ease the pain.A wave of sadness washed over him as he pondered the question. "My heart aches, truly. I loved her deeply, and my heart would flutter each time I was near her. I never anticipated that one day she would wake up and simply want to end our marriage. It all stemmed from her belief that I wasn't worthy of her status," his words trembled with a mix of hurt and regret. His sister couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him.She offered him another cup of alcohol, her gestu
Chapter Twenty three"I will die this," she said, her voice laced with a stern warning. "But if you both misbehave again, I will report this to your dad. I heard you both didn't tag along with your date, claiming you are out of their league and didn't bother to get to know them better."Charlie's mind reeled with disbelief at his mother's words. He struggled to comprehend the level of lies and exaggeration she was spewing. While they may have made light-hearted jokes or playful banter during the date, they never mentioned being out of anyone's league. It was all in good fun.Yet, despite the distorted reality his mother was presenting, Charlie knew there was no use arguing or correcting her. It seemed that no matter what they said or did, she was determined to maintain her version of events."Mum, can you just please stop with the whole dating stuff for now?" he pleaded, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "My divorce is still fresh, and it's still hurting. I'm not finding any girl a
Chapter twenty fourCharlie was on a date with a different lady, determined to put his best foot forward and avoid another episode of his parents' disappointed scolding. As the night commenced, they exchanged names and engaged in some fleeting moments of intense eye contact. Finally, mustering up his courage, Charlie broke the silence and inquired, "So, what do you do for a living?" The lady smiled graciously before responding in a classic, poised manner."I am the director in my dad's company," she explained, her words laced with a gentle confidence. "I am nice, but when it comes to business, I have to be strict." Her poised demeanor and self-assured tone captivated Charlie, and he nodded in agreement, appreciating her dedication to her work."That's cool," Charlie responded, genuinely intrigued by her leadership role. With a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes, he mustered the confidence to pose a more personal question, his voice tinged with anticipation. "If we were to embark on a de