Chapter 288 Whispers of Desire
"Sandy? A change of name?" Zephyr murmured, a pained expression twisting his features. "Why would she do that? To marry another?"
Nora's brow furrowed in concern, her hand instinctively reaching out to grasp his, checking his pulse. She harbored a fear that this man might be spiraling into the depths of a mental disorder, triggered by some unknown trauma. Yet, his pulse betrayed no such ailment.
Releasing his hand, she cast a scrutinizing gaze upon him. "Sir, are you certain you're not mistaken?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.
Zephyr's response was immediate and impassioned. "I cannot be wrong! Cora and I shared high school memories, four years of dating, and were on the brink of getting married. I would never mistake her for another!"
A relationship spanning four years was no fleeting affair. Yet, Nora found herself questioning his certainty. "Sir, the world is teeming with doppelgängers. Perhaps you are mistaken. After all, she just claimed to not know you."
His refusal to accept her reasoning was evident in the vehement shake of his head, his face a mask of torment. "No, she is Cora Hernandez, my beloved!"
Nora found herself at a loss for words, watching his unwavering conviction. Zephyr's gaze locked onto hers, his voice barely a whisper, "Cora... or rather, did that woman just wed? Is that man her husband?"
"Indeed," Nora confirmed, her voice steady. "He appears to be quite affluent."
"Yes, he hails from the esteemed Hamilton family of Lindwood City," she added. "Sandy is now a Hamilton by marriage."
Zephyr seemed to be wrestling with this revelation, his voice barely audible as he muttered, "I left for six months to study abroad under my mentor's guidance. Could Cora have scorned me for my lack of wealth and chosen a rich man instead? No! Cora is not so shallow! But why would she wed another?"
Nora listened to his self-directed monologue, her sigh barely audible. "Sir, I believe you've mistaken her for someone else."
Could there truly be another woman bearing such a striking resemblance to Sandy?
Meanwhile, ensconced in the plush confines of a speeding Bentley, Sandy found herself lost in the passing cityscape. Kenneth cast a sidelong glance at her before smoothly steering the vehicle to the side of the road.
Caught in her reverie, Sandy remained oblivious until Kenneth reached out, forcing her to meet his gaze. His dark eyes narrowed at the sight of her reddened eyes. "Have you been crying?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Sandy quickly freed herself from his grasp, rubbing the corner of her eye as she shook her head. "No, just some dust," she lied.
"Is that so?" Kenneth queried, his hand reaching out to cradle her chin, studying her closely.
Sandy's fingers clenched reflexively, her gaze darting away from his intense scrutiny. His touch was gentle as he caressed her chin, his voice a low murmur, "Sandy, are you keeping something from me?"
She was the scion of the illustrious Hernandez family in Lindwood City, and he, a member of the equally distinguished Hamilton family. Their marriage was a strategic alliance, a union of business interests.
Despite the mercenary nature of their union, they had shared a few encounters prior to their engagement, fostering a mutual respect. Thus, when they reached an appropriate age, he had his parents formally propose the union to the Hernandez family.
A month into their matrimonial bond, Sandy found herself grappling with an unsettling sensation that her relationship with Kenneth had undergone a significant transformation.
Prior to their nuptials, Sandy had been renowned for her elegance and generosity, a reputation she had earned through her rigorous studies in business management overseas.
Yet, following their wedding, she had seemingly adopted a more reserved demeanor, displaying a sudden and unexpected inclination towards the medical field and expressing a newfound zeal for medical research.
Kenneth, on his part, harbored no expectations of Sandy providing financial support for their household. However, he found it increasingly difficult to bear her constant evasion of physical intimacy. Their marriage remained unconsummated, a fact that left him utterly bewildered.
Could it be that she didn't love him, or perhaps, she was nurturing feelings for another man?
"Let's just go back. Mom will start worrying," Sandy pulled her hand away from Kenneth's grasp, straightening her posture.
Kenneth studied her for a few moments, his gaze intense. "Do you regret marrying me?" he inquired.
Sandy's fingers curled instinctively. "No," she replied.
Kenneth fell into a momentary silence. "If there's someone else in your heart, you can tell me. I don't believe in forcing anyone."
"I really don't," Sandy responded, her voice steady.
Seeing her composed demeanor, Kenneth chose not to probe further and started the car.
They drove in silence, the cityscape outside the window blurring as they sped past. After a while, Kenneth's voice punctuated the silence. "That man we just saw. You really don't know him?"
Sandy's hands clenched tightly, a fleeting flicker of emotion crossing her eyes. "I don't know him."
The car descended into silence once more until Kenneth broached another topic. "Are you clean yet?"
His abrupt change of subject caught Sandy off guard, her face a kaleidoscope of shifting expressions. She had claimed her period had started a week earlier; she couldn't possibly still be on it. His insinuation was crystal clear; he was expecting to consummate their marriage that night.
"Yes," she whispered.
Kenneth kept his eyes on the road. "I'm the eldest son; having children is important."
Sandy pressed her lips together, remaining silent. Was there no escaping tonight?
Later that evening, Nora returned to Quinn's residence. On a video call with Aaron, she recounted the peculiar encounter she'd had at dusk.
Aaron listened attentively, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere.
"Do you want me to check on your sister-in-law?" he suggested.
Nora quickly shook her head. "No need, it's not right to pry without reason."
It was merely a fleeting question from Aaron. He leaned closer to the camera. "Yes! Always listen to the wife. Speaking of which, any men making advances while you're traveling?"
Nora was taken aback.
Wasn't that a bit of a sharp turn in conversation? Flashes of the lunchtime encounter crossed her mind, and her eyes sparked for a moment before she shook her head, "No."
The man, Gary, was just a passing fancy.
Better not let a certain jealous jar know about it.
Aaron's gaze was fixed on Nora, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as he detected a moment of hesitation in her.
"Nora, darling, tell me the truth," he implored.
A chuckle escaped Nora's lips. "I am telling the truth, Aaron."
His gaze lingered on her for a few seconds before he finally spoke, his voice deep and serious. "If I discover someone is pursuing you, I swear I'll make him regret it."
Nora's laughter filled the room, her amusement clear.
"And what about you, Aaron? Have you had any romantic encounters?" she asked, her tone teasing.
A sly smile spread across Aaron's face. "And if I had, Nora, what would you do?"
Nora laughed it off, her voice light. "If you had a romantic encounter, I might as well just let you go."
Aaron's brow furrowed at her words. "Nora, you don't love me deeply enough. If you were the one with a romantic encounter, I'd move heaven and earth to win you back."
Nora glanced at him sidelong, her curiosity piqued. "So, have you really had one?"
To her, such hypothetical questions were a waste of time, a brain-drainer not worth delving into. Too tedious.
"No," Aaron was quick to reassure her. "I only want encounters with you, not with anyone else."
Nora raised an eyebrow, her satisfaction evident.
"Babe, when my business trip ends this week, I'll come see you," he promised.
"Okay."
After a few more endearments, they ended their video call.
Meanwhile, at the Hamilton family residence, Sandy sat on the edge of the large marital bed. Her fingers twisted anxiously as she listened to the sound of running water from the bathroom. Her eyes were filled with nervous anticipation as she paced back and forth before taking a deep breath and sliding under the covers.
Whether she liked it or not, this step was inevitable, wasn't it?
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