When Love Turns to Ashes (Beatrice and Caden)

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The lobby was spacious, but the air around Caden felt frozen, suffocating everyone present.

He remained silent.

But everyone knew he was furious.

He took out a cigarette and lit it between his fingers.

A cloud of white smoke veiled his face. Through the hazy mist, he stared at Beatrice with an inscrutable expression.

"Get out."

Immediately, Xander also waved his hand in displeasure.

Monica helped Beatrice to her feet.

Beatrice pulled her hand away and stood tall in the center of the lobby, her voice steady and resolute."Since my presence here is such an inconvenience, I'll move out right away. Sir, thank you for all these years of care."

If she was leaving, she would leave with dignity and decisiveness.

She would no longer tiptoe through life, living in fear as she had in her previous life.

With those words, Beatrice turned and walked away.

The eyes following her back were sharp and filled with menace.

The moment she stepped out, the nausea and dizziness from doses of birth control surged over her.

She hadn't walked far before she collapsed.

When Beatrice became conscious, Monica was sitting by her bedside, her eyes slightly red

Seeing her awake, Monica delivered a light slap to her cheek-not hard, more like a tickle.

"Are you trying to scare me to death? How could you take those pills so carelessly?"

"Mom, it's useless. If I don't take them, I'll never be able to leave that place," Beatrice said weakly

"You're a poor kid! I told you before to socialize with rich young men. you could have lived a stable life," Monica advised.

"Like you?"

What kind of stable life was that?

Monica wanted to say something but stopped herself.

If you had married vell,

Just then, the door opened, and Ryan walked in with some food.

"Beatrice, you are awake. Here is

meal. your

It will settle your stomach." Beatrice was about to thank him when she noticed a cut on Ryan's ear, as if something sharp had struck him.

It must have been Xander.

He had always looked down on their branch of the family, deeming Ryan foolish and resenting

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his marriage to a woman with a child from a previous relationship.

Ryan, I'm sorry for causing you trouble. I'll be leaving soon, Beatrice said apologetically.

"Don't say that," Monica snapped.

Ryan gently patted her shoulder."The doctor said you still need medication. Go fetch some water, Monica."

Monica got up at once and left.

Ryan sat down beside Beatrice and sighed softly."Do you really have to go, Beatrice?"

"Ryan, staying will only bring trouble to you and Mom. I'm old enough to take care of myself

now."

"It's

my fault." Ryan slipped a band card under her pillow."Don't refuse it. You're a young woman out there on your own. There will be plenty of expenses. The password is your birthday. Be careful, and call me or your mom if you need anything." "Thank you, Ryan," Beatrice said, full of gratitude.

Ryan looked at her, then suddenly muttered, "Caden was acting strangely today. Really out of character."

"What do you mean?" Beatrice asked, puzzled.

"When your mom called for help after you fainted, Caden rushed out, picked you up, and carried you away. If it hadn't been for Xander, you'd still be lying in his place."

"What?" Beatrice tightened her grip on the blanket in shock.

"Relax. Caden said he just didn't want you dying there. Bad for their reputation.

"I see."

That sounded like the Caden she knew. Beatrice gave a bitter smile.

The events of last night felt like a dream.

After taking her medication and resting for a while, Beatrice got up and packed a bag.

She avoided Monica on her way

out, knowing she'd be in tears otherwise.

As she stepped out of the mansion, the maids averted their eyes, as though contact with her would bring bad luck.

She stood under the portico, gazing at the darkening sky.

The day was finally coming to an end.

Autumn came early to Chicago, and the evening wind was brisk and chilling. Beatrice gripped the strap of her bag tighter and quickened her steps. The Baldwin's mansion was a sprawling garden-style mansion in the best part of Chicago. To avoid interference, the family had long since bought up the entire piece of land. They built a private park around it, sometimes opening it for events.

No subway, no bus routes, and very few taxis.

Even at a fast pace, it would take Beatrice twenty minutes to reach the nearest station.

she walked under the streetlights, a car horn sounded behind her.

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Instinctively, she moved to the side.

But the car pulled up alongside her.

""Ms. Lindsey, please get in the car."

The window rolled down, revealing a familiar face.

It was Caden's assistant, Keith.

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*Beatrice froze for a moment, her gaze flicking to the back seat. A hand adorned with a red jade

ring tapped on a knee-a gesture of impatience.

Caden.

Beatrice had no desire to get involved with him again. She shook her head. "Thanks, but no. Safe travels, Caden."

She adjusted her bag and kept walking.

Behind her, Keith swiftly got out of the car and blocked her path.

His polite smile was measured, his tone calm."Ms. Lindsey, please get in the car. This is for your own good. Mr. Caden said walking away with your luggage like this would be bad for everyone. If you refuse, I'll have to use my own methods." Beatrice tightened her grip on her bag and glanced at the darkened car window. She could see nothing.

But she knew Caden was watching.

His ruthless reputation in Chicago preceded him, and she had experienced it firsthand in her previous life.

If she challenged him, the outcome was predictable.

The heat drained from her body, leaving her cold and trembling.

She had worked too hard for this second chance at life. She wouldn't risk angering Caden again

Beatrice nodded and moved toward the front seat.

But Keith guided her into the back.

Settling in, she caught the scent of alcohol lingering in the car.

Suspicious, she glanced at Caden. His tall frame leaned against the seat, eyes half-closed. Most of his face was hidden in shadow.

Cold. Dangerous.

He lifted his eyelids slightly and murmured, "Leaving?"

His tone was emotionless, but it pressed down on Beatrice like a weight in her throat.

It took her a moment to recognize the sensation.

It was exactly how he had spoken when he punished her in her previous life."Leave? It won't be that easy."

Swallowing her hatred, Beatrice shifted slightly and was about to respond when her phone rang. It was Monica. Beatrice

hesitated, fearing another lecture

about missed

opportunities.

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But Caden's gaze was already on her, his brow slightly furrowed.

Reluctantly, she answered.

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"Beatrice! Are you trying to drive me crazy? Have I ever mistreated you? Why are you running away from home?" Monica's

voice trembled

with

emotion, each word heavy with helplessness.

She knew she couldn't protect her daughter.

"Mom, I'll be fine. I'll take care of myself."noveldrama

"Just... be careful." Monica sighed in defeat."Beatrice, maybe Ryan could help set up a blind date. Having someone to rely on is better than being alone."

And the lectures resumed.

Beatrice cast a sideways glance at Caden, unable to make out his expression, though her anxiety mounted. Hurriedly, she mumbled a goodbye.

"Don't dismiss me so easily. I'm doing this for your own good. It's settled. In a few days, you're going on a blind date..."

"Mom! I'm hanging up now."

Beatrice ended the call.

In her previous life, Monica had tried to arrange dates, but everything had fallen apart after her entanglement with Caden.

Speaking of Caden, had he overheard?

If he had, it didn't matter. He wouldn't care.

But the car grew unnervingly silent, the atmosphere so tense that a pin drop could be heard. Streetlights fractured through the branches, casting fragmented light across Caden's sharp features. Beatrice sat stiffly, her fingers clenched.

A faint sneer broke the silence.

"A blind date?"

"Beatrice, was anything you said last night true?"