Chapter 17: Chapter 17
The mansion felt warmer than usual that afternoon.Not because anything had changed inside Blackwood Estate itself.
But because Catherine Blackwood was there.
Her presence naturally softened the cold atmosphere surrounding the house in a way Lane quietly appreciated more than she admitted aloud.
After the awkward phone call with Ethan earlier, Lane had returned to the living room where Catherine sat comfortably near the windows while reading through one of the magazines lying on the coffee table.
The older woman looked up immediately the moment Lane entered.
"Did you reach him?"
Lane forced a small smile before sitting carefully on the sofa nearby.
"Yes."
Catherine studied her face for a second longer than necessary.
Something about Ethan’s mother always made Lane feel gently seen, even when she tried hiding things.
"What did he say?"
"He said he’ll call you later."
Catherine nodded slowly, though Lane noticed the faint disappointment hidden beneath her calm expression.
Still, Catherine didn’t push further.
Instead, she smiled softly afterward.
"Well, since I’m already here, I decided I’m staying until dinner."
Lane blinked slightly.
"Dinner?"
"Yes," Catherine said naturally. "It’s been a while since I ate with both of you."
Something uncomfortable tightened quietly inside Lane’s chest.
Because Ethan never ate dinner with her.
Actually, Ethan barely shared any meals with her at all.
Most nights he came home late.
And even when he returned earlier, Lane usually waited until he finished eating before quietly having her own meal alone afterward.
The maids had even adjusted to the routine by now.
Cooking separately.
Preparing smaller portions.
Avoiding awkwardness.
Lane lowered her eyes briefly.
But she still smiled politely.
"Okay."
Catherine stood afterward with surprising energy.
"Then let’s cook something good."
Lane immediately shook her head.
"You should rest, Aunt Catherine."
The title still came naturally.
Lane couldn’t call her "mom."
Not when the marriage itself still felt fragile and painfully distant.
Catherine never forced it either.
Instead she simply smiled warmly.
"You’re pregnant. I’m helping."
Lane couldn’t argue after that.
Soon the kitchen slowly filled with warmth and soft conversation while both women prepared dinner together. The maids occasionally offered help, but Catherine insisted Lane shouldn’t stand too long alone while cooking.
So eventually they all ended up working together naturally.
For the first time in weeks, the kitchen felt lively.
Lane quietly chopped vegetables near the counter while Catherine prepared soup nearby.
"You’ve gotten thinner."
Lane looked up immediately.
"What?"
Catherine frowned faintly while stirring slowly.
"You’re pregnant, but your face looks thinner than last month."
Lane forced a soft laugh.
"The nausea comes and goes."
"And Ethan notices this?"
The question came casually.
But Lane still felt her chest tighten slightly.
She avoided Catherine’s gaze while continuing to cut vegetables carefully.
"He’s busy with work."
Catherine went silent afterward.
And somehow that silence felt heavier than direct questioning.
A few minutes later, Catherine spoke again more gently.
"Does Ethan treat you okay?"
Lane’s hands paused very briefly.
Then she smiled softly again.
"Yes."
The lie came easier now.
Too easy.
Because explaining the truth out loud somehow made everything feel more painful.
Catherine watched her carefully for several seconds.
Long enough that Lane wondered if she believed her at all.
But eventually Catherine simply nodded slowly and changed the topic instead.
Still, Lane noticed something thoughtful settle quietly behind the older woman’s eyes afterward.
By evening, dinner was finally ready.
The table looked beautiful tonight.
Warm soup.
Freshly cooked dishes.
Tea.
Dessert.
Enough food for three people.
Lane stood quietly near the dining table afterward while the maids finished arranging everything.
The sight felt strangely unfamiliar. Like something from another life.
A normal family dinner.Catherine smiled warmly.
"This looks perfect."
Lane smiled faintly too.
But deep inside, nervousness slowly settled heavier inside her chest.
Because Ethan never came home early for dinner.
And somehow she couldn’t stop expecting disappointment already.
Still...They waited.
At first the atmosphere remained light.
Catherine asked about the pregnancy.
About cravings.
About baby names.
Lane answered softly while trying not to glance repeatedly toward the clock nearby.
Seven thirty.Then eight. Then nearly nine.
Still no Ethan. The food slowly cooled untouched across the table.
Catherine finally frowned slightly before looking toward Lane.
"Did he say he’d be late?"
Lane shook her head quietly.
"No."
"You should call him."
Lane hesitated. Her stomach tightened slightly. But eventually she reached for her phone anyway. The moment she pressed Ethan’s contact— The call failed immediately. Lane blinked softly.
Then tried again. Same result. A strange sinking feeling settled heavily inside her chest.
No.Surely— She tried once more. Nothing.
And suddenly, painfully, realization hit her.
He blocked her.Again.Just like earlier.
Lane’s fingers slowly tightened around the phone while heat rushed embarrassingly into her face.
Across the table, Catherine had gone completely silent.
The older woman was watching her carefully now. Too carefully. And Lane realized immediately— Catherine understood.
Or at least understood enough.
Lane quickly forced another smile despite the humiliation burning inside her chest.
"Maybe his phone died."
But even she didn’t sound convincing anymore.
Catherine’s expression changed subtly afterward.
Because Ethan’s mother was beginning to realize things weren’t normal between them at all.
The silence at the table became unbearable afterward.
Lane couldn’t even properly look at Catherine anymore.
She felt embarrassed.
Ashamed.
Like her lonely marriage had finally become visible to someone else.
Eventually Lane stood carefully from the chair.
"You should go home, Aunt Catherine," she said softly. "He’s probably stuck at work."
Catherine looked like she wanted to argue.
But after a moment, she only sighed quietly.
"Alright."
Lane smiled gently.
"I’ll pack some food for him."
The older woman studied her face again before finally standing slowly.
"You shouldn’t wait up too late."
Lane nodded obediently.
After Catherine eventually left the mansion, silence returned almost immediately.
Cold.
Heavy.
Lonely again.
Lane quietly packed away the untouched dinner afterward while the maids offered soft worried glances from a distance.
She carefully placed Ethan’s portion inside the refrigerator too.
Even though deep down she knew he probably wouldn’t touch it.
Then finally, after cleaning everything quietly herself, Lane lowered herself slowly into one of the dining chairs.
Exhaustion wrapped heavily around her body tonight.
The fatigue lately truly felt overwhelming sometimes.
Her back ached.
Her legs hurt.
And emotionally—
She felt tired in ways sleep never seemed to fix anymore.
The mansion remained dark and silent around her while soft kitchen lights glowed faintly overhead.
Lane rested her cheek lightly against her folded arms on the table.
Just for a moment.
Just to rest her eyes.
She didn’t even realize when sleep claimed her afterward.
Only vague warmth and exhaustion pulling her gently under.
The next thing Lane became aware of was footsteps.
Her eyes opened drowsily while confusion lingered briefly inside her exhausted mind.
Then she lifted her head slightly.
Ethan stood near the kitchen entrance.
He had finally come home.
Lane blinked slowly while trying to fully wake herself.
The clock nearby showed almost midnight.
For several quiet seconds neither of them spoke.
Ethan’s gaze rested on her sleeping position at the dining table before shifting slowly toward the neatly packed food inside the kitchen.
Then finally back toward her again.
Lane pushed herself upright carefully, immediately wincing slightly from stiffness in her back.
The fatigue really was becoming unbearable lately.
"You’re home," she whispered softly.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter