Chapter 278 Episode 278

She hesitated. "I don’t want to cause trouble."

"You won’t."

She decided to play the victim card. "She’s your wife, Fitz."

"And?"

Mabel looked at him. "I wouldn’t want to come between you."

For a moment, Fitzgerald said nothing. Then he gave a quiet laugh. "Is that what you’re worried about?"

She lowered her gaze.

He moved closer. "Look at me."

Mabel did.

"You’re not causing me trouble."

"But Charlotte—"

"Charlotte and I have a life together. We have children, responsibilities and a history that neither of us can simply erase."

Mabel listened.

"But that doesn’t mean I can’t care about you."

She remained quiet.

Fitzgerald brushed his thumb over her cheek. "I don’t want you sitting here wondering whether you’re allowed to matter to me."

Mabel’s eyes tightened. "Do I?"

He looked almost offended by the question.

"Of course you do."

She smiled faintly. "Sometimes I don’t know where I stand."

"Then let me make it clear."

He took both her hands. "You matter to me, Mabel."

She lowered her eyes.

He continued.

"I enjoy being with you. I look forward to coming back here. I think about you when I’m away, and I don’t particularly enjoy having to leave you."

Mabel looked at him again. She said nothing, but her eyes softened, and her shoulders relaxed in calculations.

He kissed her forehead. "I want you to believe me."

Mabel rested her head against his shoulder.

He immediately wrapped an arm around her.

For a few moments, neither spoke. She could hear his heartbeat beneath his shirt.

He seemed comfortable, and content. Almost unaware of how much he was giving away.

Mabel looked towards the flowers on the table. Forget-me-nots. Charlotte’s little gift. Her mind returned briefly to the conversation earlier that afternoon.

Mabel’s fingers moved lightly against Fitzgerald’s chest. "What does she think about me?"

"She’s aware that you’re staying here."

"That’s all?"

Fitzgerald considered the question. "She’s been kind to you, hasn’t she?"

Mabel nodded. "Very."

"Then I don’t see a problem."

Mabel gave a small thought. "She visited me today."

"She did?"

"Yes. She brought me flowers."

He glanced towards the table. "Those?"

"Yes."

Fitzgerald smiled. "That’s thoughtful of her."

"She’s a lovely woman."

"She can be."

Mabel looked up at him. There was something interesting about the way he said it. Not dismissive. Not particularly affectionate either. Just familiar.

Mabel wondered how much of that history remained between them. "Does she visit you often?" she asked.

"Charlotte?"

Mabel nodded.

"When she’s not occupied with the children or her own responsibilities." He answered.

"Do you spend much time together?"

Fitzgerald gave a small shrug. "We try. We grew apart."

Mabel waited.

"She’s been tired lately," he continued. "The pregnancies haven’t been easy on her."

Mabel’s eyes moved briefly towards the flowers. "She said being pregnant so often has taken a toll on her health."

He sighed. "That’s why we grew apart. She seems to hate her duties. Sometimes even the kids."

There was a brief silence.

"She’s been through a lot," he added. He touched her cheek. "You don’t have to compete with her."

Mabel looked at him. She rolled her eyes. "I wasn’t aware I was competing."

He kissed her forehead again. "I don’t want you thinking that’s what this is."

Mabel smiled. "Then what is it?"

Fitzgerald looked at her for a moment. Then he leaned closer. "Something I want."

She let the words settle.

He seemed satisfied with his answer.

Mabel, however, had more questions. She simply didn’t need to ask all of them tonight.

Fitzgerald leaned closer, and she dug her fingers into his hair, and kissed him first. She was gentle not to grip him too hard, knowing he was human.

He seemed surprised by her sudden initiative. Only for a moment. Then his hand settled against her waist, drawing her closer.

The kiss deepened. He was less interested in speaking now. His hand moved to the back of her neck, keeping her close as he kissed her with an eagerness that made her almost forget the conversation they had just shared.

When she finally pulled away, Fitzgerald followed her lips. "You’re making it difficult to think," he murmured.

"Is that a bad thing?" Mabel whispered.

"Not particularly."

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Then he kissed her cheek, moving slowly towards her jaw.

Mabel tilted her head slightly. His lips travelled to her neck, leaving soft kisses along her skin. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the attention.

Fitzgerald paused when he reached the side of her throat. "Is this all right?"

Mabel opened her eyes. "Yes."

He smiled against her skin before continuing. His kisses grew more deliberate, moving from her neck towards her collarbone. Mabel’s fingers tightened gently in his hair.

He seemed to take that as encouragement.

When he lifted his head, she was already looking at him.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other. Then Mabel pulled him into another kiss.

Fitzgerald laughed quietly against her mouth. "You’re rather impatient tonight."

"Perhaps you’ve kept me waiting."

He raised his eyebrows. "Have I?"

She gave him a small smile.

He kissed her again.

His hands settled at her waist, and he gently drew her closer. When she shifted towards him, he slipped one arm behind her back, supporting her as he guided her away from the sofa.

He didn’t stop kissing her.

Slowly, and carefully, he guided her backwards until the backs of her knees met the soft rug spread before the fireplace.

He lowered himself with her, keeping one arm behind her back so she wouldn’t lose her balance.

Mabel looked up at him.

The firelight moved across his face.

Fitzgerald brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Still comfortable?"

She nodded. "Very."

He leaned down and kissed her.

Mabel reached for him, drawing him closer. His lips moved from hers to her jaw, then down her neck again. When he reached her collarbone and nibbled on them, she let out a quiet breath and rested her hand against his shoulder.

He looked up at her.

For a moment, his expression was almost tender enough to make her forget that she had come here with an entirely different purpose.

"You’re beautiful," he whispered.

"I had mirrors at home. I know this." Mabel smiled. "You’re very generous with compliments."

"I’m only telling the truth."

He kissed her again.

She slipped her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer as the warmth from the fireplace surrounded them.