Chapter 574 He is Yvette's Husband
The project manager, a man in his forties, stood there awkwardly, visibly uncomfortable and unsure of what to do with himself.
Yvette felt equally out of place, sensing she didn't belong in this moment.
Albert's jaw tightened slightly as he shot the project manager a disapproving glance.
He wanted nothing more than to dismiss him outright, but the words wouldn't come. After all, he was the one who had asked the man to stay late working on the project.
The atmosphere had finally begun to thaw, and Albert had been ready to explain his earlier behavior when the interruption came. His frustration simmered beneath the surface.
Sensing Albert's icy demeanor, the project manager cleared his throat, attempting to ease the tension. "Mr. Valdemar."
Albert's cold gaze flicked upward. "Something else?"
"About that proposal—I just remembered I have some better ideas. Perhaps I could take it back and refine it before bringing it to you again?" The project manager's expression was earnest, his eyes fixed on Albert with careful attention, hardly daring to breathe.
Albert barely glanced at the documents, not really taking them in, but understanding the man was offering him an excuse.
He closed the file and handed it over. "Make sure it's finalized before you bring it back."
"Of course. I'll leave you to it." The project manager quickly took the documents and hurried out.
Once he was gone, an odd silence settled over the executive office. Both Albert and Yvette wanted to pick up where they'd left off, but the moment had shifted entirely.
Their eyes met briefly before Yvette broke the awkward silence. "It's getting late. Can you leave now?"
Albert exhaled slowly. "Yes. Let's go."
When they reached the ground floor and were about to exit, the adjacent elevator doors opened, disgorging a crowd of people—the same group from the conference room.
The chattering employees fell silent the moment they spotted Albert and Yvette, quickly offering respectful nods. "Mr. Valdemar, Mrs. Valdemar."
Albert nodded curtly. "Everyone should head home and get some rest."
Seeing that Albert wasn't as cold as he'd been in the office earlier, the group relaxed slightly.
Someone ventured a compliment. "Of course, Mr. Valdemar. You and Mrs. Valdemar should rest well too."
The comment broke the ice like a crack in a frozen lake, triggering a chain reaction of lighthearted banter.
"Mr. Valdemar is so fortunate—Mrs. Valdemar coming to pick you up this late!"
"Absolutely! Mr. Valdemar and Mrs. Valdemar are such a perfect couple. So enviable!"
Yvette waved to the group. "It's very late. Everyone be safe getting home."
"Thank you! Mr. Valdemar and Mrs. Valdemar, you be safe too!"
By the time they left the Valdemar Group, it was well past midnight, and darkness had settled over the city like a heavy blanket.
Albert drove steadily through the quiet streets while Yvette sat in the passenger seat, gazing out the window. The scenery blurred past as they picked up speed, streetlights streaking by like falling stars, leaving trails of brilliant light in their wake.
Yvette cracked the window slightly, closing her eyes to feel the night breeze brush against her cheek. The cool air matched the chill she felt in her heart.
She truly didn't want to fight with Albert anymore. She'd tried to appease him, hoping to ease the tension between them, but after several attempts, she found him growing increasingly distant and aloof. The disappointment and hurt were overwhelming.
She was at fault, she knew, but she no longer knew how to make things right. She felt helpless, wondering if they'd returned to square one, if their relationship was beyond repair.
The thought made her chest tighten with an aching heaviness.
When Albert emerged from his shower, Yvette was already asleep. He sat down beside her, regretting that he'd taken so long, when her eyelids fluttered open.
Still drowsy, Yvette instinctively shifted over when she saw him, making room for him to lie down.
Albert's heart warmed at her unconscious gesture. He settled beside her and reached out to pull her close.
Half-asleep, Yvette felt herself being enveloped in warmth and immediately nestled closer. But when her face pressed against a firm chest, she suddenly realized something was wrong.
Weren't they supposed to be fighting?
Yvette's body tensed as Albert's low, post-shower raspy voice reached her ears. "That tired?"
After a moment's confusion, she instinctively tried to push him away. But her hands met his solid chest while his arm held her firmly in place, preventing any escape.
"Sorry, I was half-asleep." Yvette attempted to pull away, but Albert lowered his head, burying his face in the curve of her neck.
His slightly coarse hair tickled her delicate skin, making her scrunch her shoulders reflexively. His hot breath sent shivers down her spine, raising goosebumps across her skin.
Feeling his strong, steady heartbeat, Yvette pushed against him again. But Albert's large hand gripped her slender waist possessively, his voice muffled. "Where are you going?"
Yvette felt disoriented by his sudden intimacy after his earlier anger. "Weren't you upset with me?"
Hearing the accusation—and the hurt—in her voice, Albert frowned. "Shouldn't I be upset?"
'He should be,' Yvette thought, lowering her gaze without responding. She knew he had every right to be angry, but when he was, she feared that their precious time together would slip away in conflict. She didn't want to have regrets later.
Seeing her eyes begin to redden, Albert felt a stab of panic. He cupped her small chin, forcing her to look at him. "Will you ever call me someone else again?"
Yvette shook her head vigorously. "No, never again."
Albert's gaze intensified. "Who am I?"
"You're Albert."
Albert raised an eyebrow. "Just Albert?"
"You're also BoBo and CiCi's father."
Albert's voice deepened. "And?"
"And," Yvette blinked, "my husband."
With her face only inches from his, watching her soft lips form the word "husband," Albert's eyes darkened. His Adam's apple bobbed as his rough thumb traced her lip once before he leaned down and kissed her without hesitation.
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