FULL NOVELXO Chapter 1210
The call connected. "Ronald?"
Brittany and Hannah were already fast asleep, but Kari, restless and troubled, was wide awake. Hearing Ronald's voice on the phone took her by surprise. "You're done with work?" "Come downstairs."
Kari blinked in confusion. "I'm not at home."
"I'm outside the Salter residence." Ronald's voice was laden with a certain heaviness. "Kari, I've missed you."
A shiver ran through Kari as she tossed the blankets aside and got out of bed. Peering through the window, she spotted a black car parked outside, and there, leaning against it, was the man himself. Ronald looked thinner, his features sharp and cold as ever, making him seem unapproachable.
"Wait for me."
Without bothering to change out of her pajamas, Kari threw on a coat and tiptoed down the stairs, only to bump into Isaac.
"Mr. Salter, you're still up?"
Considering the hour, she had assumed Isaac would be asleep.
"Just finished a meeting." Isaac, clad in loungewear, noticed Kari's outfit and frowned slightly. "What's this about?"
"Ah... -"
Kari struggled to find an appropriate response.
Realizing what might be happening, Isaac simply said, "Be careful out there."
He moved past Kari and left.
Stepping out of the Salter residence to meet Ronald, Kari noticed how haggard he looked, with dark circles under his eyes. Her heart clenched painfully. "How long has it been since you've slept?" Ronald pulled her into a tight embrace, his body reeking of cigarettes, making Kari's eyes water. "Ronald, you've been smoking again!"
He had promised her he'd quit.
Holding her waist, his voice was hoarse. "Stay still."
It had been a fortnight since they last saw each other. Ronald had been working non-stop and had barely managed to find a night to spend with Kari. "You're not taking care of yourself."
Kari stopped struggling, her voice tinged with emotion. "You promised you'd quit smoking."
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As the head of the Malone family, Ronald was no stranger to socializing, which often involved drinking and smoking. There had been an incident where he ended up in the hospital with a bleeding stomach, and Kari had nursed him back to health for a whole week.
Since then, Kari had forbidden him from excessive drinking and smoking.
Ronald seemed happy to be under her care and had truly quit smoking, but recently, he had picked up the habit again.
"I've been stressed. It's hard without a smoke."
Kari could smell the tobacco on him and knew he had been having a rough time.
"Stay with me for a bit."
Kari hesitated. "This is the Salter property."
"Our wedding house is nearby." Ronald loosened his grip slightly, the coldness in his demeanor giving way to anticipation. "I'm really tired."
Kari, too, missed him, her cheeks flushing. "Then, just sleep."
Seeing her soften, Ronald took her hand. "Let's go."
Following Ronald to the car, Kari
noticed a stack of documents in the back-probably work he had just finished, She felt a pang of sympathy. "You've just recovered, and now you're back to working so hard. Can you handle it?"
"It's manageable."
Ronald started the car, gripping Kari's hand tightly.
Kari wanted to remind him to focus on driving, but the words died in her throat.
The house Ronald had prepared for their marriage was ready and waiting.
If it weren't for the Malone family's objections, they would already be married.
Exiting the car one after the other, Kari used her fingerprint to unlock the door. As soon as they stepped inside, Ronald pulled her into his arms. "Kari."
His voice was thick with desire.
Kari felt a wave of apprehension. "Ronald, you said we'd only sleep."
But Ronald, driven by urgency, pinned her against the wall, his hands lifting hers above her head, his eyes ablaze with passion. "I've missed you." Kari let out a soft whimper.
Having been apart for more than a month, she missed him too.
After a moment of hesitation,
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Ronald, fueled by their mutual longing, ignited a fire that spread through them both, overshadowing the moonlight outside with the warmth of their embrace.