Awkward Arabella

The door opened, and a person walked in. Oval-faced, with delicate and beautiful features, she was dressed in a white off-shoulder lace blouse, tucked into a tight pencil skirt, adorned with a full set of Cartier jewelry. She had her arms draped in a Chanel coat and held an Hermès handbag.

It was Chloe.

Upon seeing her, Reginard's expression cooled slightly. "What are you doing here?"

Chloe swayed her slender waist, elegantly walking behind Reginard. She draped her arm over the back of his chair, leaned down, and her red lips almost brushed against his earlobe. "I heard Reggie was dining here, so I thought I'd come by to say hello."

Reginard rubbed his ear as her warm breath made it itch. He turned his head slightly, avoiding the sensation. Seeing that she had no intention of leaving, he said casually, "Take a seat."

"Thank you, dear Reginard." Chloe pulled out a chair and sat down, draping her coat over the backrest.

The waiter quickly brought her a set of utensils.

Reginard slid the menu toward her. "Order whatever you want."

Chloe glanced at the spread of food on the table and pushed the menu aside. Sweetly, she smiled, "No need to order again. I love what you love."

George wiped away goosebumps on his arm.

Chloe placed a plate of prawns in front of herself. Dreamily, she blinked her big eyes at Reginard. "I love these prawns. Can you help me peel them?"

George scoffed, "Don't you have hands of your own?"

Chloe pouted. "In all these years, I've never peeled shrimp with my own hands. At home, it's always been done by Mom or Dad. Whenever we go out, Reggie always peels them for me."

She coquettishly held onto Reginard's arm. "Please peel them for me; I want to eat the ones you peel."

Reginard withdrew his arm, his gaze coldly sweeping over her. He put on disposable gloves and began peeling the shrimp.

For some reason, his thoughts drifted to the times when Arabella used to peel shrimp for him—her nimble hands leaving the shrimp shells intact, something he had never accomplished.

After peeling one shrimp, he picked up the shrimp meat and placed it on Chloe's plate. Suddenly, she lowered her head, biting onto the piece of food with her teeth, intentionally including his fingertip in her mouth.

Her tongue gently circled around his fingertip, sucking, leaving a soft kiss. Her gaze was moist and dreamy as she stared at him, filled with passion and excitement.

Reginard's expression was almost imperceptible in response to Chloe's blatant advances, and he was unsure of his own feelings.

He removed the disposable gloves and tossed them aside. Then, he picked up a disinfectant wipe from the table and carefully cleaned the finger she had put in her mouth.

George shuddered with goosebumps, angered by her shameless behavior. They weren't even divorced yet, and she was already throwing herself at him! And right in front of him, as if he were invisible!

George took out his phone and quickly sent a text to Arabella: "Sis, your husband is drunk and completely out of control. Come get him! We're at Drunken Dawn, in the Language of Flowers Elegant Garden room."

Arabella was having dinner with colleagues at the Royal Oak Hotel. After receiving the worrying message about her usually sober husband, she called George back.

But George only rang once before hanging up.

As Arabella dialed Reginard's number to call him, George sent another excited message: "Sis, hurry! Urgent! Very urgent!"

Arabella's heart trembled with anxiety.

Arabella believed something had happened to Reginard, so she grabbed her coat and rushed out without saying a word to her dinner companions.

Cosmo, sitting at the same table, noticed her distress. With keys in hand, he caught up with her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Arabella attempted a weak smile. "I just need to go to Drunken Dawn quickly; you guys continue with your dinner."

Cosmo dangled his car keys. "I'll drive you there."

Anxious and without refusing his offer, Arabella murmured a thank you.

Twenty minutes later, they stopped in front of the hotel. Arabella stepped out of the car, briskly walking into the lobby. The wind lifted her coat, revealing her slender legs in high heels.

Taking the elevator, she swiftly arrived at Drunken Dawn and pushed open the door.

She happened to witness Chloe lifting a spoon to Reginard's lips. Their shoulders touched, and Chloe's cheeks glowed with a radiant light. As she affectionately fed him with the spoon, her eyes were filled with tenderness. With raised eyebrows, sparkling eyes, and an air of passion, they painted a picture of intense emotion.

Arabella froze, a sharp and painful sensation piercing her heart.

She stared at Reginard, her gaze blurred. Although he held a glass of wine, his eyes were clear, showing no signs of intoxication.

Seeing Arabella's arrival, Chloe moved even closer, wearing a smug and provocative smile on her face.

Arabella chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Sorry for the interruption." She turned to leave.

George quickly stood up, caught Arabella's arm, and led her back to the seat next to Reginard. "Sis, you should sit with Reggie. Stay put."

He gently patted her shoulder, signaling her not to make a move.

Reginard stared at the spot where George touched Arabella's shoulder for a moment. Then, he picked up a disinfectant wipe and carefully cleaned the area.

Arabella forced a bitter smile. George's brief touch made Reginard think she was dirty now.

But what about him? He was kissing Chloe and feeding her with his own hands. Who was the dirty one here?

Arabella bit her lip tightly, afraid that saying anything might lead to something unpleasant slipping out.

In their three years of marriage, she had never had a fight or shouted at him. Even during the first two years when he lay in bed, angry and helpless, throwing things around, she endured it calmly.

With divorce imminent, she felt there was no reason to break this record now. She blamed herself for panicking and rushing over after receiving that misleading text. It was too embarrassing.

An awkward silence followed.