My Cold-Hearted Husband Wants Me Back
Chapter 141: Intuition

Chapter 141: Intuition

"I know you’re dumb, but I didn’t expect this much."

Matilda’s voice cut through the still air like a whip, each word precise and stabbing. She stood by the window of the mansion’s east wing, her arms folded, her expression unreadable but sharp as ever.

Eryx didn’t flinch. He stood tall, his face cold and irritated. "Are you done?" he asked, his voice flat. He stood coldly in front of her, and didn’t want to waste time. He had a bad feeling gnawing at his gut.

On the way here, Callum had reported that Valerie had uploaded a selfie with Naomi. It looked like they were on a rooftop.

Totally normal. Harmless, even.

But his heart wasn’t at ease.

He didn’t know why.

And that unsettled him more than anything.

"Do you still think that was my doing?" Matilda finally turned, her eyes still as sharp as ever. "I didn’t raise you to be this blind."

Eryx’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing. His silence wasn’t agreement, more like it was restraint.

Matilda stepped closer, her tone laced with disdain. "You’re wasting your time chasing shadows while the real threat walks right under your nose. If I wanted you destroyed, I wouldn’t have bothered with a photographer."

Her words hit and Eryx instantly raised his gaze, "What do you mean?"

"You heard it clearly," Matilda walked towards him, "You’re so busy suspecting me, you can’t even see who’s moving the pieces right in front of you."

Eryx’s eyes narrowed. "If you know something, say it."

Matilda scoffed. "I did. But clearly, you’re too distracted to listen." She paused, then added more coldly, "Valerie never plays fair, Eryx. You should’ve known that the moment she came back smiling."

Eryx’s heart dropped. He didn’t waste another second, he turned sharply and rushed out of the room.

"Let’s go! We’re heading back to the restaurant!" he shouted to Callum, who stood waiting outside.

=====

Naomi smiled at the view one last time. "It really is beautiful up here," she said, turning toward the exit. "But I think I’ve soaked in enough sun for now."

Valerie smiled, brushing a hand through her hair. "Of course. Let’s head back down before they serve the food."

Lunara walked just a step behind them, still uneasy. She hadn’t said much during the short rooftop visit, but she had kept her eyes on Valerie the whole time.

As they reached the stairwell, Valerie walked ahead again, voice casual. "Remember the uneven step I mentioned earlier? Still there."

Naomi chuckled softly, "Got it. I’ll be careful."

"Oh, I forgot my phone." Valerie suddenly turned and rushed back to pick her phone that she put on the table.

As they stepped into the dim stairwell, Lunara gently placed a hand on Naomi’s arm. "Let me hold you. Just in case."

Naomi smiled, a little breathless from the climb. "I’m fine, really... but thanks."

They began their descent, slow and careful. Lunara stayed close beside Naomi, eyes scanning each step. They were about halfway down when Valerie’s footsteps echoed behind them.

"Oh, wait for me!" Valerie called lightly, her tone cheerful as she rejoined them. "Can’t believe I almost left without my phone."

Lunara turned slightly but kept her attention on Naomi, who was navigating the narrow steps carefully.

Valerie’s heels clicked behind them. She kept a measured pace until she was just two steps above Lunara.

Then it happened.

Valerie stumbled forward, deliberately subtle. Not enough to truly fall, just enough to jolt.

In that instant, her hand brushed against Lunara’s back.

Startled, Lunara shifted her weight to the side, instinctively stepping away from Naomi to avoid knocking into her. But in doing so, her foot landed awkwardly and slipped.

She twisted mid-fall, trying not to crash into Naomi. Her body turned just enough, and with a sharp gasp, Lunara tumbled down straight to the ground and landed with a thud on the landing.

Naomi’s eyes widened as she grabbed the railing, avoiding a fall herself. "Lunara!"

From above, Valerie let out a sharp gasp. "Oh my god! Are you okay?!"

Lunara didn’t answer at first. She exhaled shakily, her hand pressed to the cool concrete floor as she slowly pushed herself up. Her jaw clenched and her brows furrowed in pain. Naomi quickly crouched beside her, concern flooding her face.

"Don’t move too fast," Naomi said, holding her arm. "Are you hurt?"

Lunara tried to straighten her back but instantly winced. "My leg," she muttered. "I think I twisted it."

Valerie began descending the stairs carefully, her heels clicking slowly with each step. "Let me help," she said, voice filled with concern. "That looked awful."

But Lunara subtly shifted away from her grasp, her expression still calm but distant. "No, it’s okay," she said quietly.

Naomi supported her, helping her sit against the wall at the landing. "We need to get you checked out."

Valerie stood to the side, brows pinched. "Should I call someone? Maybe the manager? Or—"

"What happened?" Regina’s voice was quite sharp, echoing through the middle size restaurant. She rushed towards Lunara and frowned in concern.

"She slipped, I guess." Valerie replied, her tone was quite low and hesitant.

Regina took Lunara’s arm, trying to pull her up but then Lunara winced, "I can’t..."

Lunara closed her eyes as if she was holding the unbearable pain. "Mom..." she called for Regina, then suddenly clutched onto her stomach, "I think I hit my tummy..." she struggled to talk as the pain hit hard.

Regina’s face drained of color in an instant.

"What?" Her voice dropped to a trembling whisper as her hands froze on Lunara’s arm.

"I think... I hit my tummy..." Lunara repeated weakly, curling in on herself as a sharp wave of pain coursed through her body. Her breathing quickened, shallow and panicked.

Regina crouched down beside her daughter, her voice now firm and commanding. "Call an ambulance. Now!"

Naomi, still stunned, pulled out her phone with shaky fingers. Valerie took a step back, her expression unreadable, lips parted slightly, eyes flicking between them all.

"Don’t move her," Regina added quickly, cradling Lunara’s shoulders. "Just breathe, Ara. Help is coming."