Novel Catalog
Chapter 214
Skylar shook her head gently. “Oh, I’m not tired.”
Still, she hesitated—should she go back and check?
After all, the voice from the grove hadn’t been clear. And “Hughes” wasn’t exactly a rare surname in Jipsburg.
But ever since her rebirth, Skylar had learned to see people more clearly. She now understood the weight of emotions and the pain that came with betrayal.
She cared deeply about Natalie. The last thing she wanted was for Natalie to go through what she had—being deceived by someone she loved and trusted. That kind of heartbreak left deep scars.
Joe studied her face. “Were you shocked?” he asked again, his tone calm but observant.
He had already heard rumors. Jeremy had been getting unusually close with his secretary. In fact, they’d visited this very resort a few times. Joe hadn’t expected him to be so bold this time—to indulge in such reckless behavior outdoors. If Jeremy kept this up, he was bound to regret it.
Skylar responded absentmindedly, blurting out the thought before she could filter it. “I just regret not going in to check.”
If she had seen their faces clearly, she would’ve known for sure if it was Jeremy.
Joe tilted his head down slightly, his dark eyes meeting hers. His voice lowered, rough and alluring. “Quite bold, huh? Curious what it’s like to fool around in the woods?”
As he spoke, he tugged lightly at his tie, a spark of mischief in his eyes. The sultry edge in his tone seemed to scratch at his throat, making it dry. His Adam’s apple moved visibly as he swallowed.
Skylar looked up just in time to see it—the subtle movement of his throat, the quiet tension behind his refined exterior.
Joe Martin truly embodied masculinity from head to toe. Even his Adam’s apple was attractive.
Skylar’s face turned pink, but she lifted her chin and replied boldly, “Don’t overthink it, Mr. Martin. Just a friendly warning—don’t try that in the woods.”
“Oh?” he raised an eyebrow, amused.
“There are caterpillars on the trees. Shake a branch, and one might drop on your back. And don’t even get me started on the mosquitoes. They’ll find every inch of exposed skin. Not to mention, someone might be watching.”
Joe smirked. He had just thought she was as innocent as a schoolgirl, but now she was sounding like a mischievous little vixen.
He closed his eyes for a moment, reigning in the desire building quietly inside him.
Two hours later, around 7:00 p.m., Skylar and Joe returned to the hot spring resort, sweaty and slightly flushed from their friendly round of golf.
The staff had already prepared dinner and fresh clothes for them. It wasn’t ideal to soak in the hot springs right after eating, so Skylar glanced at Joe, who was now absorbed in a video conference, and decided to step outside with her phone.
Feeling a little too full, she opted for a walk to help digest. Before leaving, she sent Joe a quick WhatsApp message.
The night was peaceful and quiet.
This time, she chose a different path from earlier, strolling slowly as she dialed Natalie for a chat.
“How did your mom’s check-up go?” Skylar asked.
Natalie’s voice came through with a mix of weariness and affection. “It’s an old condition flaring up again. Back when she was young, she drank too much and skipped meals for work. Now her stomach acts up when she overeats.”
“Are you home alone?” Skylar asked casually.
“Yeah. Jeremy’s swamped with work today,” Natalie replied with a soft sigh. “He’s got some big international video conference and will be up all night. There’s even a bed in his office, so he’s sleeping there.”
Her voice was filled with love and concern. “Poor guy… He works so hard, all to support the family and save up for the baby. I really admire him.”
Skylar’s hand tightened around her phone. What a coincidence.
“I was actually thinking of making him some soup, just to warm him up a bit,” Natalie continued sweetly. “But when I messaged him, he didn’t respond. He’s probably still in the meeting. I didn’t want to disturb him, so I dropped the idea.”
Skylar bit her lip.
Natalie had no idea.
“Oh! I forgot to tell you,” Natalie added cheerfully. “Jeremy has a new secretary. She’s gorgeous, but I still think you’re prettier. Our Skye’s the prettiest of all.”
Skylar’s heart skipped a beat.
A new secretary…
Her thoughts snapped back to the voices she’d heard in the grove. That overly familiar “Mr. Hughes,” the flirtatious teasing, the stockings… Everything had the ring of an office affair.
A chilling possibility took shape.
Jeremy, the perfect husband. Natalie, the loving wife. And yet…
Skylar’s gaze darkened slightly as the truth began to crack through the perfect surface.
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