CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146: APOLOGY

However, upon pushing open the door, the room was unexpectedly quiet. Desmond Fairchild stood in the center with his back turned, while Rosalie Quinn and Jude Sinclair sat in a corner frantically giving her signals.

Seraphina Sinclair was bewildered by the scene before her, and before he could figure it out, Desmond had already walked over to her. He took out the hand he’d been keeping behind his back and handed her a bouquet of flowers.

"Seraphina, I’m sorry. I failed to notice your feelings earlier, which led to what happened and made you angry. I’m sorry," Desmond said gently.

Seraphina gazed at the large bouquet shimmering gently under the lights, her eyes slightly sour, but she maintained her composure, "What is this about?"

"Seraphina, I’ve realized our relationship never had a proper definition, leaving you feeling insecure, convinced that we’re together because of Jude or the contract. I’ve thought it over carefully, and it’s not like that. I love you, and I love Jude, not because of those external reasons."

"What happened before was also my fault, so could you accept these flowers as a sign that I know I was wrong and forgive me?"

For the first time in his life, Desmond found himself speaking such words to someone, his tone awkward, and his ears turning red.

Seraphina was shocked by his words but quickly regained her composure, "Desmond, why bring this up suddenly? Our biggest issue was never that..."

"What you said before, I’ve done it. I’ve transferred Anna away from me and will never meet her in private," Desmond interrupted.

Seraphina widened her eyes in surprise, recalling the words from their encounter outside his office. Had he really transferred Anna away?

As she looked at Desmond’s face, Seraphina finally realized Desmond wasn’t Ethan Lloyd, and he wouldn’t turn Anna into a second Melanie Lloyd.

The insecurities and unease she had felt before would not happen again.

She couldn’t hold on any longer; tears welled up in her eyes, she bit her lip, and reached out to accept his flowers, saying nothing.

Desmond couldn’t quite gauge her intentions at that moment, and seeing this, Rosalie signaled Jude who instantly sprang up from the couch, ran behind Seraphina, and quietly gave her a gentle shove.

"Ah!" Seraphina exclaimed, and Desmond rushed forward to catch her in his arms.

"Well, I just remembered something I have to do, Jude and I will step out for a while. You don’t need to wait for us to have dinner." Rosalie teased, then walked out with Jude.

Although Seraphina now understood, the current situation forced her not to overthink.

"Seraphina, this is my first time loving someone. If I’ve made mistakes, tell me so I can change. Please don’t ignore me anymore," Desmond urged cautiously as he seized the opportunity seeing the others had left.

Seraphina had never seen Desmond so cautious.

Perhaps his words were too sincere, or perhaps the room was too warmly lit, but the emotions Seraphina had suppressed sprang forth, swiftly taking root and growing.

"Desmond, I was just, just scared before..." she sniffed, her voice tinged with sobs.

She feared repeating past mistakes, which led to her insecurity, anxiety, and adopting a prickly demeanor.

"I understand, that kind of situation will never happen again," Desmond gently wiped away her tears, and in the moment Seraphina looked up, he gently pressed his lips against hers.

This kiss was more tender and caring than before, yet intensely passionate. Seraphina couldn’t help but let out a few sobs, gripping tightly onto Desmond’s shirt.

After a long while, Desmond released Seraphina, holding her tightly in his embrace, dispelling all the anxiety and unease of recent days.

In a daze, Seraphina was taken to Azure Cloud Shores by Desmond. Both lost themselves from his room door onwards, clothes scattered on the floor, neither concerned, having eyes only for each other.

In the pitch-black room, only ambiguous sounds resonated, stirring waves throughout the night.

The consequences of indulgence left Seraphina unable to rise the next day; by the time she awoke, it was nearing noon, and the aroma of dishes wafted in through the room’s door.

Struggling to get up with her tired body, her legs wobbled, almost making her fall as memories from last night flooded back, causing her face to flush. She supported herself, cursing Desmond inwardly.

"Awake? Do your legs still hurt?" Desmond asked, placing dishes on the table as he saw Seraphina coming out from the room.

"What do you think?" Seraphina couldn’t help but glare at him.

This damn man, only thinking about his pleasure without caring about her wellbeing.

"Ahem, go freshen up first. After you eat, I’ll give you a massage." Desmond said guiltily and somewhat awkwardly, supporting Seraphina as he spoke.

After eating, she lay sprawled on the couch, while Desmond diligently massaged her legs beside her.

"Ding-dong." Seraphina’s phone suddenly chimed. She reached for it to find a message from Rosalie.

"Tell me, how did you bribe those two little rascals, Rosalie and Jude?" Seraphina queried Desmond upon recalling the matter, her eyes fixed on him.

Thus, Desmond retold the words he’d said to Jude and Rosalie the day before, only now his tone was softer.

Seraphina’s face flushed again, causing Desmond’s gaze to darken as he lowered his head to kiss the corner of Seraphina’s lips, just a fleeting touch.

Just as the two thought they could enjoy their time together, the doorbell suddenly rang in the afternoon.

Opening the door, Desmond’s face darkened seeing Rosalie and Jude standing there, Jude carrying a small backpack, clearly just back from kindergarten.

"I thought you wouldn’t want your wife and son staying at my place anymore, so I’ve brought your son back to you," Rosalie said bluntly, leading Jude inside without reservation.

Seraphina watched Rosalie and Jude enter and immediately recalled last night’s events. She grinned and beckoned them over, "Come here, you two."

"Oh, I suddenly remembered I have soup simmering at home, I’ll head off now!" Rosalie, sensing the tension, quickly found an excuse and fled, leaving Jude alone to face it.