Chapter 40 Rare tenderness
Chapter 40 Rare tenderness
The steady gaze looked at her wide watery eyes and William said emotionless, “Not bad.” The taste
was not bad but what was more impressive was the feeling, the feeling of home. After marrying Sophia
for two years, he has never had this feeling. Simple and ordinary, but warm and... blissful.
Blissful, he always thought that being with Sophia was blissful but he didn’t know that the feeling of
home was even more alluring. He lived with his mother and grandfather ever since his father passed
away when he was very young. His mother was a perfectionist and was very strict towards him. From
young, he was not surrounded by his peers but a bunch of teachers and coaches. His grandfather
loves him but he simply used the money to satisfy him as he was always busy with his business.
Till now, he has no concept of a family or to him, the home was the cold and lonely Brown residence.
He couldn’t help himself and began to eat greedily and savor the delicious taste.
Mia was very pleased to see the empty plates. She felt a great sense of achievement and looked
happily at him.
...
She turned and stretched whole body on the bed, Mia opened her eyes and the room was pitch black.
Has night fallen? Did she sleep for that long?
She reached to turn on the light and looked towards the door. Was he still around?
The used dishes were still on the table but William has left. She looked at the gap below the door and
saw that there was light outside, he hasn’t left?
She gently opened the door and easily saw William in his business suit standing under the bright lights
and in front of his table. His expression was emotionless and the usual coldness.
There were two persons who stood respectfully in front of him, John and Rebecca.
“How’s Missus’s condition?” He turned to Rebecca.
Rebecca stood upright and nodded slightly, “Missus isn’t in good spirits. She’s having headaches and
asked for Professor Davies several times.”
“Why didn’t you call me? How about now?” He yelled furiously, he was obviously worried about Sophia.
Rebecca lowered her head even more, and said meekly, “Missus didn’t want to disturb you and
instructed us not to inform you. But after Professor Davies’s treatment, she has been better.”
“This Sophia!”
William was both helpless and concerned. He turned towards John, “Any news on Peter Costar?”
“No, this guy has disappeared into thin air. Our men had searched the entire Huntington City and still
couldn’t find him!”
He became visibly worried and he heard what John said and said, “From today onwards you don’t have
to follow me, instead, go to the hospital to protect Missus.”
“But Boss...”
“No buts! If Missus is hurt, you’ll be entirely answerable to it!”
John answered helplessly, “Yes Sir.” And walked out.
Only Rebecca and he remained. Rebecca stood upright and said, “Boss, if John goes to the hospital,
who will protect you?” She was bold to question his decision but William wasn’t angry but replied softly,
“Sophia had been traumatized twice by Peter Costar and her condition is still unstable. I can‘t’ risk
Peter finding her and harm her, do you understand, Rebecca?”
Rebecca kept quiet and nodded. William picked up his jacket and walked towards the entrance. Mia’s
heart sank. The tenderness during the day was just a dream and when she woke up, she witnessed the
bliss of another woman.
William will forever love Sophia. She was just filling in a gap and helping resolve Sophia’s health
condition. What does she get in return? Some cold hard cash.
She was nearly lost in the tenderness of their time together this afternoon. Mia pinched her thigh and
reminded herself, “Mia, open your eyes. It’s just a transaction between you two.”
William paused as he stepped out of this office and turned to look at the bedroom. Mia hurried to stay
out of sight and heard his instructions, “Next time don’t have to send meals over. Just get the part-time
worker to keep the refrigerator well stocked up.” Someone said “Yes” and the door closed. She turned
and looked at the table where they just shared a meal together.
Plates, bowls, utensils were still there but the warmth has long gone. You’ll eventually have to wake up
from a dream. She walked over to clean up the table and resigned to her fate.
William came every day. Sometimes it’s in the morning, sometimes it’s in the afternoon and sometimes
it’s after work. But he never spent the night. Once he did his thing he would leave and at times won’t
eat with her.
Mia knew that Sophia was waiting for him.
The money was accumulating but her heart got progressively heavier. What kind of relationship is this?
Mistress? She doesn’t want, she really doesn’t want but she can’t ever escape from William’s firewall.
Sophia’s health was unstable and the bone marrow transplant cannot be scheduled until she was
stronger. Does she have to wait till he got bored with her? But how can she get him to become bored
with her?
She doesn’t like to watch the local broadcasting station’s programs because it kept showing some
recruitment messages from the local hospitals. The recruitment messages will be on the ticker tape and
she will look at them carefully but there weren’t any for doctors.
Her attention shifted to the graphics and this was the time for the local news. The broadcaster
enthusiastically introduced the recent events in the city.
“The city’s famous philanthropic couple, Teddy Hans and Mindy Sails has once again generously
donated ten million yuan to the build Hope primary schools in the mountainous region of the country.
This donation will go towards the building up of fifty schools in the region which will solve the education
of ten thousand students...”
The picture zoomed in to the faces of Teddy Hans and Mindy Sails. They had the look and aura of very
kind and generous people. Mia recognized them. There were only a handful of famous philanthropists
in the city.
The reporters crowded around them and asked their respective questions.
“You are both important representatives of Huntington City. You have contributed greatly in this decade
to this city and the country. Can you both comment on your thoughts regarding charity work and your
plans for the future?”
Teddy Hans looked distinguished with a head of grey hair and Mindy Sails looked around her thirties Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
with the makeup. They definitely do not look their age. Speaking to the microphone, Teddy Hans was
eloquent and moving, attracting rounds of applause. Mia was inevitably mesmerized.
Mindy Sails smiled and continued to speak after Teddy Hans, “We didn’t have a plan when we started
the charity work. We gave wherever was required. But we didn’t give up halfway. I hope that after the
schools are built, we will raise another amount for hiring the teaching staff...”
Another applause, everyone was immensely respectful of this couple. Someone even gave them a
plaque with the word “Philanthropists”.
When the commotion settled down, another reporter asked, “What was it that brought you onto the path
of philanthropy?”
Teddy Hans was sullen and sighed, “Our love for charity came from when we adopted our youngest
daughter. Ten years ago, Sophia, who is now the wife of the director of The Elements Group, her
parents died and ended up in our home. That made us become aware...”
Her heart skipped a beat, Mia didn’t expect Sophia to be adopted! She was the daughter of
philanthropists. Though they are not her biological parents, she must have adsorbed their kindness to
her bones.
The extent of Sophia’s magnanimous was unmatched. She saw her and William’s affair and didn’t
throw a tantrum. Instead, she drew closer to her. How kind must her to be able to do this?
That’s why she needed to be more gracious. She needed to pray that Sophia’s health improved and
have a blissful life. She grasped her hands and prayed sincerely.
The door opened and she was startled. She quickly turned her head and it was William. Why was he
back? He should be with Sophia at this hour.
Mia stood up from the sofa to receive him and saw his flushed face, “You... drank?”
William shook his head and his bloodshot eyes looked at her body. His body wavered and almost
collapsed. Mia moved forward to support him and could smell the thick smell of alcohol. Half of his
body rested on her. She almost couldn’t support the weight and dragged him with all her strength.
“Have you eaten?” She turned slightly to ask as her forehead started to sweat. His fair skin became
pink like peach blossoms. She realized that she didn’t need to ask, how could he have drunk on an
empty stomach?
But then William answered unexpectedly, “No.”
William could answer, meaning that he wasn’t that intoxicated.