Chapter 355 355 Rosa

"Alright then," Reaves said, nodding his head. "Thanks for the visit, and I appreciate your concern," he said to her. "But I will implore you that you keep my secret safe with you," he said.

"Of course, Reaves," Madeline answered. "Your secret is and has always been safe with me," she assured him.

With that, she decided to take her leave, and Reaves walked her out to her carriage before returning inside.

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Reaves sat in his office, the strange vitality elixir ball from Madeline occupying his thoughts. He turned it over in his hands, examining it closely. "Why is she so sure of this?" he mumbled to himself, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "I just hope it works as she said," he added, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Placing the ball on his desk, Reaves continued to focus on his work, though his mind occasionally drifted back to the peculiar elixir. The room was filled with the soft glow of lamplight as he delved into his tasks, the elixir ball serving as a curious distraction.

As the night wore on, Reaves found himself engrossed in the intricacies of his work. It wasn't until late that he finally decided to call it a day. Closing his office door behind him, he made his way through the quiet corridors of his mansion, heading towards his bedroom.

Upon entering, he found Rosa, his wife, lying in bed. The room was dimly lit, casting a warm and intimate glow. Rosa was engrossed in reading the newspaper, her form outlined by the soft light. She wore a translucent nightgown that hinted at a quiet elegance.

Rosa looked up, her eyes meeting Reaves'. A warm smile played on her lips as she folded the newspaper. "Late night at the office again, dear?" she inquired, her voice laced with a blend of concern and understanding.

Reaves nodded, shedding the weight of his jacket. "The workload never seems to lessen," he replied with a sigh, joining her on the bed. The worn-out mattress cradled his tired form as he leaned back, his eyes fixed on Rosa.

She placed the newspaper aside, turning her attention fully to her husband. "Anything interesting in the news today?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.noVe(lB/In

Reaves chuckled, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Just the usual political turmoil and societal intrigues. Nothing out of the ordinary," he replied, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the presence of his wife.

Rosa scooted closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know, you should take a break once in a while. Maybe a visit from your charming wife could lighten the workload," she teased, her fingers tracing patterns on his shirt.

Reaves smirked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Ah, the charm of my wife—undeniable and persuasive," he remarked, his hand finding hers. "But the work never rests, my love."

She sighed dramatically. "Always the responsible one. Well, just promise me you'll take care of yourself," she said, her gaze tender and sincere.

Reaves nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I promise."

Their conversation flowed seamlessly from work to more personal matters. They bantered and joked, their laughter filling the room. In the midst of mundane discussions, Rosa brought up the recent news about the Russell family's plans for the abandoned wasteland.

"Did you hear about the Russells?" she asked, her curiosity evident. "They're planning to develop that wasteland. Quite a bold move, don't you think?"

Reaves raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden shift in topic. "Oh, they're making moves, are they?" he replied, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

Reaves took a seat on the edge of the bed, "Madeline did pay a visit today," he admitted, avoiding the specifics of their conversation.

"Really?" Rosa's eyes widened with curiosity. "What did she want?"

Reaves hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his words. "She brought us gifts" he said

"Oh that is so lovely of her" Rosa said " i would have loved to see her."

"Oh she didn't stay long" Reaves said with a smile.

"I see" Rosa nodded, her eyes sparkling. "I was thinking, dear, wouldn't it be nice if we paid them a visit in a few days? Extend the James family's goodwill and all," she suggested, her tone brimming with enthusiasm.

Reaves considered her proposal, a smile forming. "A diplomatic visit, then? You never cease to surprise me, my dear. But I suppose it's a splendid idea. It's been a while since we socialized beyond the political realm," he conceded, his hand finding hers once again.

Rosa beamed, pleased by his agreement. "It's settled, then. A visit to the Russells in a few days. I'll make the arrangements," she declared, her eyes filled with determination.

The atmosphere in the room shifted as Rosa continued to share her plans for the upcoming visit to the Russells. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her hands animatedly gestured as she spoke. "I was thinking of taking them some of those exquisite pastries from the bakery downtown. And maybe a bottle of that rare wine we've been saving for a special occasion," she enthused, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

Reaves, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on Rosa. The dim light in the room played on her features, accentuating her radiant beauty. Her expressive eyes shone with enthusiasm, and her luscious lips curled into a smile as she envisioned the details of the visit.

As Rosa continued to talk, Reaves couldn't help but be drawn to her voluptuous figure. His mind briefly wandered, captivated by the allure of his second wife. Rosa had brought vitality and vibrancy into his life, a stark contrast to the sorrow that had engulfed him after the untimely death of his first wife.

Reaves had married young the first time, and tragedy had snatched his wife away before they could truly build a life together. Rosa, with her youth and vivacity, had been a beacon of light during a dark period in Reaves' life. She possessed a beauty that turned heads, a body that could entrance any man.

Yet, hidden beneath the veneer of their seemingly perfect marriage lay a secret burden. Reaves, despite his desire to fulfill Rosa's every need, struggled with a physical limitation. His first wife's premature departure had left him broken, not just emotionally but physically as well.

Rosa, blissfully unaware of the turmoil within Reaves, continued her animated chatter. "I thought I'd also pick up some flowers for Nora. Something bright and cheerful to lift her spirits," she suggested, her eyes reflecting genuine kindness.

Reaves, torn between his desire to be the ideal husband and the harsh reality of his physical shortcomings, listened attentively. He felt a pang of guilt knowing that his inadequacy had led Rosa to seek solace in private moments of pleasure. The intimacy they shared lacked the fulfillment that Rosa craved.

As Rosa spoke of her plans, Reaves couldn't shake the weight of his unspoken truth. He admired her resilience, her ability to find joy in the midst of their struggles. However, a cloud of melancholy lingered in his eyes, masked behind a façade of attentiveness.

The room fell into a momentary silence, punctuated only by Rosa's soft laughter.