Filed to story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
She knew that Halston would be facing many difficulties, but he never said anything about it and carried all those burdens alone. He even did so much to prepare a candlelight dinner for her, and it warmed her heart.
“As the president of Guajardo Enterprise, I have to explain things to the shareholders. It’s expected that they would make things difficult for me since Guajardo
Enterprise’s profits haven’t been good lately, but you don’t have to worry. If it comes down to it, I can give up my position. After all, I have enough to take care of you and the kids, and you’re pretty rich yourself, so there’s no way we’d starve,” Halston said jokingly.
However, Flossie couldn’t help but worry. “It’s easy if it’s only about the money but…” Financial freedom was one thing, but power was more important than money in this competitive world. If one lost their power, they would lose their protection. Even if they were rich, people with power could still plot against them easily.
“What are you saying?” Halston asked slowly.
“It’s nothing… I just don’t want you to leave because of me. You’ll always be targeted because of your identity, you know?” Flossie didn’t want Halston to hold back for her and the children until he lost all his power. People who had fallen off their pedestal were the most vulnerable because anyone could trample on them.
“All I know is that I want to hold on to what’s most important to me.” Halston ate his steak, sounding upset.
“Seraphina came to me today…” Flossie confessed after a while. “It’s obvious that she loves you very much.
Maybe you can go back to her and comfort her… Things may change for the better.”
Halston slammed the knife and fork on the table in frustration and demanded, “Why are you telling me this? Do you want me to go back to her, marry her, and have kids with her? Are you asking me to abandon you and the children?”
Halston’s reaction frightened Flossie, and she realized she had gone too far. “I’m sorry. I just… didn’t want you to regret it in the future,” Flossie mumbled. She knew he was a privileged man who was used to power and respect. If he one day became an outcast because of family and love, she would be heartbroken. She didn’t want to see him sad.
“It’s up to me if I’ll regret it or not. I’m an adult, and I can tell what’s important to me.” Halston held Flossie’s hand and said tenderly, “Our love is like a crystal-it’s beautiful and pure but very fragile. We need to take care of it together; I don’t want to see the love we finally found disappear. Can you have a little confidence in me?”
“Okay, I’ll stop trying to persuade you. We’ll face the storm together.” Flossie took a deep breath, wondering if she was convincing him or herself. Honestly, she was the one with the most doubts and fears. Back then, she was brave because she still had her sight, and she knew she could help Halston face any challenges. However, now she was just a burden to him, and the pressure of it made her want to give up.
“I know what you’re worried about, but don’t worry. I won’t let that day come…” Halston promised softly as he hugged Flossie.
They stayed like that in silence for a while.
Finally, Halston took a deep breath, and looked at Flossie seriously. “There’s something else I need to ask you.”
“Sure.”
“Did you… give your eyes to Jovan?” Halston sounded unhappy.
Flossie sipped her wine, feeling a little light-headed as the wine burned her throat. “I did… Are you mad at me?” She smiled and asked Halston innocently like a child.
Halston’s expression turned cold, and he asked, “Why would you do that?”
“Umm… how do I put this? I don’t want to owe it to him.” Flossie sipped the wine again as if she wanted to boost her courage. “He gave up his eyes to you willingly because he didn’t want to see me sad. I felt like I owed him a favor. Now that I paid him off, it’s been transferred back to you again.” At that point, Flossie leaned against Halston and hooked her arms around his neck, looking up at him with a loving smile.” So don’t even think of breaking up with me, okay? You owe me a pair of eyes, so you have to be with me for the rest of your life.”
“Okay, I promise.” Halston’s anger immediately turned into heartache. Flossie was clearly trying to pay off Halston’s debt even though it seemed like she was sacrificing for Jovan. The depth of her love for Halston was beyond his imagination; it was almost like she had given her eyes to him instead of Jovan.
“I’m sorry… I did this to you. Why are you so silly? I’m not a nice person, and I’ve harmed you so many times. Why did you do this for me?” Halston was overwhelmed by guilt, and his eyes watered.
As a man, he hated saying sentimental things and crying, but he had done both countless times because of Flossie. Halston felt that he would be at her mercy for the rest of his life…
“Hmph! It’s good that you know it. Listen-I’m the best wife in the world, so you have to love me forever.” After that, Flossie held his neck and kissed him. The alcohol made her feel relaxed, and exposed her true desires. She had been wanting to kiss Halston for ages, but was always too shy to. However, thanks to the wine, she could freely kiss him to make up for their long separation.
“Mm, you… you’re drunk, right?” Halston knew that this enthusiasm only appeared when she was dreaming or drunk. Halston was flattered, but didn’t dare to respond to her kisses for fear of scaring her.
“That’s not important. I just want to kiss you today.” Flossie held Halston’s face and kissed him so intensely that they both tumbled off the chair.
“Should we… go upstairs?” Halston asked hoarsely, breathing hard.
“Sure.” Gripping his tie, Flossie pulled him to her and smiled cheekily. “But if we go upstairs, it won’t just be kissing going on.”
“It’s okay. I’ll listen to you.” After that, he carried her and strode upstairs to the bedroom. The children’s school trip had happened at the perfect time because both Halston and Flossie had been longing for some alone time together. They made their way to the bed, and the air was thick with passion.
Meanwhile, a cold gaze was fixed on the manor from outside. The woman’s face was full of scars, and her expression was twisted with hatred. “Flossie, I’ve crawled my way out of hell, and I’m going to make you pay with your life!”
The sunlight was warm the next day. Flossie slept in and woke up rather late. Her not being able to see made her lose track of time, and she slept more than usual now.
Halston had to head to Guajardo Enterprise to handle something, and after giving Tess a few orders, he reluctantly left.
Although he had made a choice, he could not lay idle. If he was overpowered one day, the situation could become dangerous.
‘Tess, help me get my clothes.” Flossie stretched as she woke up and called after Tess softly. Strangely, there was no response. “That’s weird. Where did she go?” Flossie felt her way out of bed in her pajamas, and suddenly bumped into someone.
“Tess?” Flossie asked hesitantly. It could only be Tess, but Flossie became cautious when there was no answer. She asked coldly, “You’re not Tess?”
“It’s me, Ms. Ellsworth.” Finally, Tess spoke, but she didn’t sound like her usual lively self.
Frowning, Flossie asked, “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing. I… Something happened with my family.” Tess tried to sound more cheerful as she asked, “What can I do for you, Ms. Ellsworth?”
“Oh, get the loose-knit sweater on the left side of the wardrobe for me.”
“Okay.” Tess nodded and walked over to the wardrobe and got the sweater, then handed it to Flossie.
Flossie took the sweater and put it on skillfully. Although she was blind, she could take care of herself just fine. In Tess’ opinion, it was easier to work for Flossie than other healthy employers. She also genuinely liked Flossie, but… Tess sighed as she stared at her beautiful and kind employer. It was time to go downstairs for breakfast. She usually prepared a glass of milk, whole-wheat toast, and fruits for Flossie.
At the dining table, Flossie elegantly drank some milk and chewed her toast. She turned to Tess and asked, “Is there something troubling your family? Tell me if you need anything, and I’ll try to help if I can.”
“No…” Feeling conflicted, Tess bit her lip. “My family members usually fight among themselves… I’m used to it. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Ellsworth.”
“You’re welcome. You’re my eyes now that I’m blind. I should be thanking you instead.” Flossie had full trust in Tess, who was smart, attentive, gentle, and kind. Flossie liked to spend time with her, and when she was bored, she would often talk to her too.
“Well, I think a family can’t be too harmonious. It’ll be warmer with the occasional fight. It’ll be fine as long as the family members love each other.” Flossie tried to console Tess. She recalled her occasional fights with Halston and found that she usually discovered their problems during their fights. As they fixed their issues together, their relationship would become stronger.
“Ms. Ellsworth, you’re so nice…” Tess looked at Flossie with watery eyes, feeling torn. If she hadn’t been forced, she would never have harmed Flossie because she was the kindest employer she had worked for and the one who gave her the most respect.
“Haha! Tess, you’re weird today. Why are you being so sentimental?” Flossie asked with a laugh.
However, Flossie knew that something must be troubling Tess, so she didn’t want to ask her anything further.
In the afternoon, Margaret came home with the two children, and Tess clocked out of work. Tess carried her bag and walked on the empty street with a troubled mind. Every step she took felt heavy. When she reached the door of her house, someone blocked her way.
“Did you do what I asked you to?” The woman wore black clothes and a large hat that hid more than half of her scarred face.
“I did what you asked. When are you going to let my mother go?” Tess sobbed as she begged the woman.
“Keep doing it. I’ll let your mother go in ten days.” The woman grabbed Tess’ collar and threatened her, “Don’t you dare play any tricks, you hear? Your mother is doomed if you miss a day or add a lower dosage. Do you understand?”
“Y-Yes.” Tess swallowed and dared not disobey her. Only then did the woman let her go, and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Tess stopped her.
“What do you want?”
“I want to ask what kind of grudge you hold against Ms. Ellsworth. She looks very kind, and she’s blind now. She’s very pitiful, so why… do you want to do that to her?” Tess summoned her courage and asked the woman. She felt guilty since she was technically helping the woman harm Flossie. If she didn’t even know why she was doing it, she was afraid it would be too much for her one day.
“Hmph! Kind?” The woman stopped, and her eyes gleamed with malice. “Do you think she’s a good person? You can’t even imagine the bad things she did and the people she harmed.”