Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 46: A Morning Clash

Chapter 46: A Morning Clash

Ellen woke up the next morning with a rare sense of optimism. She stretched her arms above her head, feeling the pleasant ache of well-rested muscles. A smile spread across her face as she remembered last night. Mason had sent her food. She almost couldn’t believe it, but Philip had confirmed it, so it must be true.

"What got into him?" she mused aloud, her voice echoing softly in the quiet room. "Ah, whatever it is, it’s a good thing."

Ellen pushed back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. As long as Aubrey didn’t do anything funny today, she would stay in a good mood. She walked to the bathroom, splashing cool water on her face and brushing her teeth. Her reflection in the mirror looked more alive than it had in days.

As she dressed, she remembered Mason’s schedule for the day. It was just as packed as the day before, if not more so. Meetings, calls, and appointments filled every hour. Ellen believed that even with all the tricks up Aubrey’s sleeve, she couldn’t possibly manage to get close to Mason today. That thought gave Ellen a sense of relief.

"Ah, I can relax for a little bit," she said to herself, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

She decided that rather than just hanging out in the hotel, she wanted to go sightseeing. Staying cooped up in the room would only lead to more overthinking. A bit of fresh air and a change of scenery would do her good. Ellen quickly checked her bag to make sure she had everything she needed: phone, wallet, keys, and a small map of the area. She slipped on a comfortable pair of shoes, perfect for walking, and headed out the door.

She walked down to the hotel restaurant, her stomach growling softly in anticipation of breakfast. The restaurant was bright and airy, with large windows that offered a stunning view of the bustling streets of Paris. Ellen chose a table near the window, wanting to enjoy the scenery as she ate.

As she sat munching her food and sipping her coffee, Ellen felt a sense of calm wash over her. The morning light turned the city all golden, making everything look warm and inviting. She lost herself in the view, watching people hurry along the streets, cars weaving through the traffic, and every so often, a cyclist darting past.

Suddenly, Ellen’s serene moment was interrupted. She spotted Aubrey entering the restaurant, her presence immediately setting Ellen on edge. Ellen quickly turned her face toward the window, praying that Aubrey wouldn’t notice her. She focused intently on the scenery, trying to stay out of sight.

Don’t come here. Go away. Shooo~

Despite her silent prayers, Ellen heard the unmistakable sound of Aubrey’s heels clicking against the floor as she approached. Her heart sank as Aubrey, ignoring the many empty tables around them, took a seat directly opposite Ellen. Ellen couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally. Of course, Aubrey would choose her table.

"Good morning, Ellen," Aubrey said cheerfully, her voice sounding overly sweet and insincere.

Ellen didn’t respond, keeping her eyes fixed on her plate as she continued eating her breakfast. She hoped her silence would discourage Aubrey, but she should have known better.

"How’s your sleep?" Aubrey asked, her tone still sweet, but with a hint of curiosity.

Ellen remained silent, taking another bite of her scrambled eggs. She focused on the taste and texture, anything to avoid acknowledging Aubrey’s presence.

Aubrey, not fazed by Ellen’s lack of response, pressed on. "Where were you last night? I didn’t see you with Mason at the dinner with his client."

Ellen’s heart skipped a beat. How did Aubrey know about Mason’s dinner with a client? She kept her face neutral, continuing to eat as if she hadn’t heard the question.

Noticing Ellen’s firm silence, Aubrey leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Last night, Mason and I hung out at that cute café at the end of the street. We walked together, just like we used to in high school. It was so romantic."

Ellen’s grip tightened on her fork, her knuckles turning white. She stabbed at her scrambled eggs with more force than necessary. Aubrey’s words stung, but she refused to give her the satisfaction.

Aubrey leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "You should have been there, Ellen. It really brought back old memories. Mason seemed so relaxed and happy."

Ellen’s jaw clenched, but she forced herself to take a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm. She picked up her coffee cup, taking a slow sip to steady her nerves. The last thing she wanted was to let Aubrey see how much her words affected her.

"You’re really not going to say anything, are you?" Aubrey asked, her tone now edged with frustration.

Ellen looked up, her face showing fake surprise. "Oh, Aubrey! I didn’t see you there. How long have you been sitting?" Her tone was light and innocent, as if she had just noticed Aubrey’s presence.

Aubrey’s face turned an angry shade of red, her smile melting away into a tight, forced expression. She opened her mouth to respond but seemed to think better of it, closing it again with a snap. Her eyes flashed with irritation as she realized that Ellen was playing her game.

Ellen took her time finishing her breakfast, savoring each bite with exaggerated enjoyment. She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, folding it neatly before placing it on her plate. She stood up, smoothing down her dress, and looked directly at Aubrey.

"Enjoy your breakfast, Aubrey. Bye-bye," Ellen said with a polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Aubrey’s lips tightened, and she looked as if she wanted to say something more, but Ellen didn’t give her the chance. She turned and walked away from the table, her head held high, feeling a little burst of victory. She could feel Aubrey’s glare burning into her back, but she didn’t look back.

As she exited the restaurant, Ellen couldn’t help but think that Aubrey’s efforts were certainly in vain. She had tried to rattle her, to make her feel small and insignificant, but Ellen had refused to play along.

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