Chapter 18
The moment the plane touched down in Switzerland, Arlene realized Pearson had everything amanged ahead of time. A chauffeured car was waiting, servations at
five–star hotel were confirmed, and even a personal concierge had been assigned to organize their itinerary!
Arlene couldn’t help but be surprised at how seamlessly everything fell into place. She distinctly remembered Pearson once telling her he was just an ordinary guy from a regular family. How could someone like him have such connections and resources abroad?
Stil, her mind was preoccupied with the pocket watch, so she didn’t dwell on it:
When they arrived at the watchmaker’s, the craftsman assured her there was still hope for repairs, and only then did Arlene feel a sense of relief.
With nothing pressing left to do, the two of them spent the next few days exploring the city, ticking off every landmark and tourist spot. To her amazement, Pearson seemed to know this place inside and out as if he’d been here countless times before. He could recount the history behind every monument and share stories about every cobbled street
On one occasion, they even bumped into a few of Pearson’s friends on the street, who promptly invited them to visit their country estate. There, Arlene discovered Pearson wasn’t just a skilled horseman and tennis player–he could also hold his own discussing wines reserved for European royalty.
The more time she spent with him, the more Arlene felt that the Pearson at her side was nothing like the gentle, fresh–faced graduate she thought she knew. With each passing day, the cloud of suspicion in her heart only thickened!!
Whenever she tried to probe a little, a single look at his innocent, unguarded face would make her question whether she was just overthinking things.
The day she went to retrieve the pocket watch, Pearson ran into some friends at the shop entrance, so Arlene headed in alone. They had a flight booked for that afternoon, so she didn’t linger–she picked up the watch and stepped outside
But when she opened the door, Pearson was nowhere to be seen Instead a crowd had gathered a few yards away near the steps.
Scanning the area and still not spotting him, Arlene had no choice but to walk toward the commotion. Even before she got close, she heard a voice that sounded uncannily like Emery’s
“What’s it to you?”
Arlene free for a moment. She climbed onto a nearby planter to get a better look over the crowd.
It really was Emery.
In just a few days, had lost that confidem, self–assured air. His eyes were red, and he looked wom out as he grabbed Pearson by the collar!!
I’m here to find my wife. This has nothing to do with you. Get out of my way!!
Pearson, in contrast, was calm and unruffled. He shot Emery a sidelong glance, then brushed off the hand wrinkling
shin
“Arlene’s already divorced you. You’re her ex–husband now. Why are you trying to act tough with me?‘
Watching the scene unfold, Arlene felt her heart sink–not because the two men had run into each other and started arguing, but because of Pearson
He was always so gentle and obedient in front of her, causing the occasional small mischief but quick to ask her for help whenever something serious happened. She’d always believed he really was the naive, indecisive young man he appeared to be!
But now, seeing him like this when he thought she wasn’t looking to defiant, so sharp–edged it upended everything she thought she know about him in the last six
months.
As she stood there, lost in thought, Emery–whod just been shoved back and was about to retaliate–looked up and caught sight of her instantly, he dropped his hands and pushed through the crowd toward her!
“Arteme, why did you just disappear to Switzerland without a word? Do you know how worried I was when I couldn’t find you?
After five years together, Arlene knew the concern in his eyes was genuine. But she no longergeeded this kind of on–again, off–again affection that was sweet one minute and stinging the next!!
She met his gaze, her eyes calm and still as a lake!
“Whether leave the country or not is none of your business. And for the record, I’m not alone–‘m here with my fiance.”
