The Devil CEO's Contract Wife

Chapter 266: For Better, For Worse

Ares doesn’t blink or flinch. He was completely blank, as if my words didn’t affect him.

“The same thing she said the last time when she came to see me at the hospital. She prides herself on throwing that around like a trophy. Without proof.”

Ares clenched his teeth as he released me. “Adrian is not mine.”

“She believes it, wholeheartedly.”

“He’s… not.”

I nodded, walking past him to the closet.

“Catherine…”

I tied the ribbon on my top and put on a satin robe. I stepped out, heading straight to the door, and left without a word.

My steps were quick as I made my way to Esme’s room. I opened the door and walked in.

“Esme?”

My eyes scanned the empty room until I found her at the window, her entire body pressed into the glass as she watched the view in extreme awe.

“The best view is at midnight,” I said, coming close. “Especially when the skyscrapers light up like a Christmas tree.”

“It’s so beautiful right now. So many tall buildings! Look! Clouds!” Esme pointed to each one beyond ecstatic, and a smile stretched on my lips. It was just too contagious.

I was worried that she might not like it here, that it’d take time for her to adjust, but I should have known from the start that, how engrossed she was as we drove through the city. Esme was already in love.

“I love it! I love it!” She jumped around me.

I giggled. “I know you do.”

She wrapped her arms around my waist, embracing me.

“Thank you, mommy.”

I rubbed her head. “For what?”

She rested her chin so that she could see me. “For bringing me here. I think I’m gonna have the best time with you and daddy!”

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Yes, we will. Now it’s time for breakfast, you know you didn’t have any dinner last night, you must be starving.” I took her hand and led her out of her room.

“This place is so big and shiny! Daddy is really a King.”

“And you are too…”

We went down the stairs to the kitchen.

“The living room is the same size as our apartment. This place is like a castle.”

Esme went on, making sure she told me her thoughts about everything, and I just nodded, making her something quick because I knew she was famished.

“And I love my room, the best!”

“I knew you would, sweetie. Daddy prepared it just for you.”

“Daddy!”

I turned as Ares walked towards her. He kissed her forehead, and I looked away.

“How was your night, angel?”

“Perfect! I slept like a princess. I love my room too!”

I quickly stirred the cereal and grabbed the bowl, setting it in front of Esme with a spoon.

“Toast?” I asked, walking to the stove to get cooking.

I felt Ares come close, but I don’t acknowledge him.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” he murmured.

I set the pan down, and his sudden movement made me back away until he grabbed my waist and sat me down on the counter to trap me.

I looked at Esme, busy eating, before I set my eyes back on Ares, who seemed to be placing me as his focal point of attention.

“I never said I didn’t…” I replied to his earlier question.

“You didn’t say anything.” His voice sounded strained, as if that affected him more.

“You never said anything either. Why?”

His jaw clenched, and he looked away.

“I didn’t believe her then. Why should I now?” I hoped my words would make him stop hesitating.

I cupped his face, tilting so that his eyes were back on mine, even though I couldn’t read them. It was still better this way.

“Honey…” I said softly.

“There’s something I need to tell you… About Agatha…”

Bile filled my throat, but I did my best to stay impartial.

“About what?”

“Cat!”

I flinched when Esme yelled. Loki casually strolled in and did a little stretch, setting his paws down and his lower body up in the air.

There…! I was wondering where he was. Another cat came into view, white and black fur with beautiful brown eyes.

“You have another?” I asked, amused, watching them circling Esme as if trying to observe her.

“Salem.”

“Salem…?”

Esme gasped, chased after them, running up the stairs with them.

“Careful, sweetie!” I watched until she got out of view.

“Loki was lonely… without you. He needed a friend.”

“Well, he’d better look out. Esme’s love for those furry babies is out of this world.”

“I’m sure he can handle it.”

The air suddenly shifted again, reminding us where we stood.

“What did you wanna tell me?” When I discerned he was gonna choose silence, I spoke. “For better or worse.”

“It’s not that simple, baby.”

“Then make it simple. Whatever it is, I wanna hear it from you and no one else. I think I’m gonna lose my mind when a third party tries to whisper another poison. I’ve only been here half a day, yet Agatha is trying to sow a seed. I trust you, Ares, which is why I didn’t give the faintest thought about her words. I trust you.”

It suddenly felt like I was talking to a tree, and this hurts me. “D-Don’t you wanna talk to me?”

“I do…” he confessed. “I have always wanted to.”

“Then why are you hesitating?”

“It’s harder than I thought.”

Hard? What’s so hard for Ares King to say? The only thing that has ever been hard for him was coming to terms with his feelings for me and love. That alone took five years.

A shiver ran through me, but not in a good way. I could really feel whatever this was wasn’t gonna be good. It’s difficult for him, so the best I could do was ease him into it, so that he knew I was here, no matter what.