His Ignored Wife, Her Silent Goodbye

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 007

MARGARET'S POINT OF VIEW

As I took a sip of my tea, its heat flowed through my fingers as I looked at Jonathan, who was sitting across from me.

He smirked slightly. Are your thoughts occupied with Professor Alistair Bennett right now?

I exhaled a quiet laugh. "How could I not? The centennial celebration announcement for Trinity University appeared in the news which I watched. He came back for it, didn't he? How is he?"

"Still the same old tyrant. He never stopped complaining about how we failed to live up to his expectations as his top students. Jonathan shook his head, grinning. He would feel less disappointed if you returned.

I looked down at my cup. The fresh scent of brewed tea surrounded me, yet I remained unable to savor it. Professor Bennett once believed I would achieve great things. I had let him down.

"Come back, Mag," Jonathan said softly.

My grip on the cup tightened while hesitation began to settle within me. I gave my assent just before doubt could settle. "Alright."

His face lit up. "Really?"

Before I can return, I have to finish my responsibilities at my present job. But yes, I want to return."

The field of Artificial intelligence had been my true calling well before my existence intertwined with Frederick. I threw aside my dreams to focus on a marriage that ultimately left me feeling empty for years. It had been six years. Could I still keep up?

Jonathan leaned forward. "There's no rush. Take your time. Remember this—you continue to stand among the best. You always were."

The belief my friend expressed towards me caused my chest to fill with warmth.

Jonathan checked his watch after continuing the conversation for a few more moments. I almost overlooked this, but my team just acquainted me with an algorithm expert. They arrived back in the country just yesterday, and we plan to meet soon. You should join us."

I hesitated. "I'm not familiar with your team members. Maybe next time."

"Fair enough." He didn't push. "But next time, no excuses."

As Jonathan departed, I prepared to leave but paused immediately when I saw an unexpected person.

Marianne Davenport.

She approached me, displaying her signature authoritative presence. During the Trinity University celebration, I recognized her name among the honorary alumni, which confirmed her attendance. Her presence here was expected, but her glance toward me expressed apparent irritation and surprise at the fact that I was there.

"Marianne," I greeted, keeping my voice neutral.

She didn't return the courtesy. Instead, she frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"It's Trinity University's centennial celebration. I came to visit my old campus."

She lifted an eyebrow, which indicated she had just remembered my attendance at their elite college. "Right." Her lips formed a narrow line before she shifted the conversation. "Daniel wants to eat your cooking. I'll have him sent over later."

I stared at her, taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. He's been talking about your cooking non-stop. Just feed him. It's not that much to ask."

Her son Daniel spent a significant amount of time at our home. Marianne did not supervise him much throughout the years and found he resisted her control when she tried. I endured his visits because of my responsibilities, but I no longer held the status of being Frederick's wife.

"I'm busy tomorrow," I said.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "With what? You no longer have Bella and Frederick in your life. What event or activity holds more significant importance to you?

A harsh laugh twisted around my throat. My life had so thoroughly revolved around them that people like Marianne naturally thought I had no other interests beyond them. But that wasn't the case anymore.

A group of elegantly attired people approached Marianne before I had the chance to speak. "Marianne! "one of them called.

She turned, her demeanor shifting instantly. Their curious eyes turned toward me as they anticipated who I might be.

She waved me off with the words, "Just a friend."

Not a sister-in-law. Not Frederick's wife. Just a friend.

During those earlier years, this situation would have caused pain. But now, I didn't care.

I exited the teahouse carrying my bag over my shoulder to step into the cool evening air.

—

Their scheduled flight reached the destination without delay that night.

The sleek Rolls-Royce arrived at the Harrington estate at exactly ten thirty. As the chauffeur swung open the car door, Frederick emerged first and carefully adjusted his cufflinks.

Bella followed, rubbing her sleepy eyes. In a tired voice, she clung to her father's sleeve while asking, "Are we home yet?"

"Yes," he answered, voice clipped.

She blinked up at him, then hesitated. "Will... will Mum be here?"

A pause. Then, "No."

Her face briefly showed both relief and disappointment when she looked up.

The entrance drew nearer as staff members stood ready to greet them. The butler stepped forward. "Welcome back, sir. Would you like anything prepared?"

"No," Frederick dismissed. "We're going straight to bed."

Upon entry into the expansive property, they were engulfed immediately, and dim illumination produced elongated shadows.

While upstairs in his study room, Frederick unbuttoned his tie before placing his briefcase down. A pile of letters remained unopened on his desk, and his eyes rested on an unopened envelope that had been sitting there since Margaret departed.

The divorce papers.

He lifted the envelope between his hands as he pressed his thumb against its sealed border. His expression remained unreadable. He placed the envelope back without breaking the seal.

Bella played with the edge of her pajama sleeve while seated on her bed down the hallway. She had convinced herself that she wouldn't experience any feelings of missing her mother. The bed she had once told stories with Margaret in now made her feel an unsettling emptiness inside her chest.

She began to question whether her mother had ever considered her existence during these past days.

—

Would Frederick ever open that envelope? It would remain unread and collect dust on his desk, like every other thing that divided them.

Could Bella ever understand that nobody else would ever fill her mother's place in her life?