Chapter 4 She Felt Nauseous

Before Aurelia could refuse, Nathaniel had reached his hand and picked her up. He placed her on his lap. Aurelia felt weightless before realizing she was already in his arms. Her head was pressed down against his chest.

Listening to his strong heartbeat, Aurelia had a momentary illusion that he cared for her, too.

She knew they were getting a divorce, yet she couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of being tightly held by Nathaniel. It was different from the embrace during their intimate moments. Her heart raced incessantly.

"Let's indulge myself one last time," Aurelia muttered to herself under her breath.

Zack gripped the steering wheel to keep the car steady. Aurelia still felt queasy, occasionally retching. She was not sure if it was due to hunger or nausea.

Upon reaching Jade Community, Nathaniel got out of the car and strode towards the apartment, leaving Aurelia and Zack inside.

When the car window was rolled down, fresh air streamed in. Aurelia sobered a bit, mainly because the person troubling her was now outside.

"Zack, do you have a girlfriend?" Aurelia inquired.

Zack mistook Aurelia's attention, thinking that she was about to introduce him to someone. "I've recently started dating someone I met through a blind date. We've met each other's parents and plan to get married."

Aurelia pursed her lips and said, "That's great. Congratulations. Take this necklace for your fiancée. The ruby on it is beautiful, and girls would like it."

Zack, startled by the delicate box Aurelia handed him, exclaimed, "Mrs. Heilbronn, this necklace is one of only two in the world. One is kept for a press conference, and the other is now in your hands. It is a token of Mr. Heilbronn's affection for you!"

Zack hesitated. Apart from its hefty price, it symbolized Nathaniel's wife's status. Zack knew well that he would be in great trouble if Nathaniel found it out.

Aurelia was always the first to receive the new products from the Heilbronn Group every quarter. Others didn't have such a chance at all.

"Mrs. Heilbronn, you should keep it. If Mr. Heilbronn hears what you said, he won't let me go." Zack was cautious, glancing outside to ensure Nathaniel wasn't around.

Aurelia didn't insist and casually tucked it into her bag.

"Alright, I'll give it to someone else later," she said.

The necklace now made her uncomfortable. It had been a while since Nathaniel left. Aurelia wondered what they were doing at that moment.

She speculated they might be having sex. She was Nathaniel's wife, but she let his man go to his lover's place and waited downstairs for him.

She found it ridiculous.

Upstairs, Nathaniel exited the elevator and unlocked the door with his fingerprint.

As soon as he opened the door, Chelsea rushed out and threw herself into his arms.

"Chelsea, what's wrong? I'll take you to the hospital right away."

Chelsea had meticulously done her makeup and hair before his arrival, looking vibrant and far from a sick person. She clung to Nathaniel's sturdy body, rubbing against his chest.

"Nathaniel, my heart was racing just now. I'm not sure if it's a heart attack. Can you check it?" Chelsea asked.

Initially, Nathaniel was worried about Chelsea. He calmed down upon seeing she was fine. He slowly regained his composure.

"Release me first," he requested.

He stood there with his arms stretched. Feeling Chelsea's embrace, she was somewhat annoyed.

"Chelsea, no more of these jokes," he warned.

Reluctantly, Chelsea released him. She was frightened by his stern expression.

"Don't be angry. I just missed you. Can you stay today? I made your favorite seafood stew," she said.

"I have something to attend to today. Maybe another time," Nathaniel replied. Aurelia was still unwell, and he was worried about her.

Seeing him about to leave, Chelsea grew anxious.

"Nathaniel, can you spare a few minutes with me? I want to show you something."

Chelsea fetched a drawing from the study and presented it to Nathaniel. It took her a lot of time and energy to make it.

"Nathaniel, this is the engagement ring I designed, symbolizing loyalty and commitment. Can we use it as our wedding ring?" She proposed.

Nathaniel's patience was wearing thin today, perhaps due to Aurelia's illness. He replied casually, "It's up to you, and I'll ask the craftsmen to make it."

Chelsea was overjoyed. She thought, 'Since he has no objections to the wedding ring, he will marry me, right? I had been waiting for this day for years. I'm just one step away from it. I need to put in a little more effort for this final step.'

"Nathaniel, would you like to try the seafood stew? I've been preparing it all afternoon, specifically for you, and I even burned my hand," Chelsea said, leading Nathaniel to the kitchen. She then began to feed him.

When Nathaniel returned to the car, Aurelia caught a whiff of food mixed with perfume on him. She felt nauseous again.

Nathaniel took a deep breath and glared at her.

"I saw you were fine when I walked over. Why did you start feeling sick as soon as I got in?" asked Nathaniel.

Aurelia paused, finding it somewhat amusing.

She almost thought she had misheard it.

"Do you think I deliberately stop you from meeting your lover?" she retorted.

Nathaniel was annoyed by her words.

"You shouldn't have said that. Don't forget your position," Nathaniel warned.

Aurelia chuckled silently, thoroughly disappointed in him. She leaned against the car window in silence.

She had no grounds to call Chelsea his lover. They had already signed the divorce agreement. Even if they hadn't divorced, she would not have the right to say so.

Nathaniel's anger melted away when he saw Aurelia's meek demeanor.

He glanced at Aurelia who was leaning against the window. Her face was pale, and so were her lips. He then spotted the faint red marks on her neck, which were left from his grip when she got into the car.

The more Nathaniel looked at Aurelia, the stronger his desire to conquer her.

"Come here!" He broke the silence in the car with a commanding tone.

Aurelia looked at him in confusion.

"Since you're feeling unwell, do you still want to lean on me?" Nathaniel asked.

Aurelia glanced away stubbornly. But she was then forcibly lifted onto his lap. She then saw the faint lipstick mark on his chest. She couldn't hold back her tears.

She couldn't help but wonder, 'Did he bring me here just to witness him being intimate with his lover?'

As Nathaniel noticed the wet patch on his chest, the car had already stopped in the courtyard of the Heilbronn Villa.

Nathaniel effortlessly lifted Aurelia in his arms. Looking at his stained shirt, he furrowed his brow.

After getting out of the car, Nathaniel slowed his pace. Aurelia hurried a few steps to catch up with him, linking her arm with his as they entered the house. It was a routine they had practiced and were very proficient at.

The grand living room was elegantly decorated.

The faint scent of flowers inside the house eased Aurelia's stomach.

The butler, Ted, called from inside, "Reed, Nathaniel, and Aurelia are back!"

Turning back to tease Aurelia, Ted joked, Aurelia, if you had come back any later, someone else would have finished all the lobsters. Ashley begged Reed all afternoon, but he didn't agree to let her eat them and insisted on waiting for your return."

Nathaniel remarked, "She eats very little. Leaving ten lobsters is enough to fill her for a day."

Reed emerged from the study in a good mood. Approaching ninety years old, he appeared lively and energetic, resembling a man in his seventies.

"What are you two talking about? Aurelia, come here!" Reed called.

Aurelia sweetly greeted Reed and obediently stood by his side.