You'll Fall For Me, Today or tomorrow

Clarissa burst into laughter at her son’s outrageous reply. She knew how much Damian loved his toys and food, so naturally, he’d want those as rewards too.

Now that her mood was significantly better, Clarissa was ready to spoil her son with whatever he wanted.

“Darling, what reward would you like? Tell me, and I’ll get it for you.”

“Really? I want a box of chocolates! And the railway set you didn’t buy the last time. And, and, I also want to eat…”

“Okay, okay. You can eat a little, but not too much. Haven’t I already bought you the railway set?”

“But I like the big one, Mommy. The set you bought was small,” Damian whined.

“Very well then, we’ll get the big railway set and one box of chocolates. You can only have one chocolate a day, but since you’ve been so good today, I’ll let you have two. And, you have to brush your teeth after eating. If you don’t, I’ll take back all your rewards. Deal?”

Damian truly disliked brushing his teeth, but for the sake of toys and chocolates, he reluctantly nodded his head.

“Okay, deal. You have to keep your promise, Mommy.”

“Of course! But you have too as well, darling.”

Clarissa and Damian were so engrossed in their conversation that they seemed to be living in their own world. Even though Matthew was seated right beside them, Clarissa never once acknowledged his presence.

The mother and son just enjoyed their time together as Clarissa cuddled and played with Damian the entire ride home.

Once they were back at Zen Highlands, Clarissa ordered the railway set for Damian under his watchful eye. She had stashed away a box of chocolates previously, so all she had to do was pretend to find it in the fridge before surprising Damian with it. As expected, Damian was so happy he couldn’t keep his hands off of it.

As she watched her son smile from ear to ear, Clarissa felt her heart burst with an incredible amount of love and happiness.

And at that moment, that heart had space for only Damian and no one else.

Matthew silently made his way upstairs to pack and change into a new set of clothes before coming back down. When he saw how Clarissa still had her undivided attention on Damian, a cold glint flashed across his darkened gaze.

Without a word, he turned and left Zen Highlands.

Later that night, when Clarissa was playing with Damian, Julia received a call from Matthew.

“Mrs. Tyson, Mr. Tyson said he won’t be coming home for dinner tonight.”

Clarissa was shocked but still gave a nod of acknowledgment. Yet, she couldn’t shake off that feeling of unease.

She didn’t mind that Matthew wouldn’t be home for dinner, but it was odd that he would inform Julia instead of herself.

Clarissa even checked her phone to ensure that it was working, and yet, there were no texts from Matthew.

Is he doing this on purpose?

Or am I overthinking it?

“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Damian suddenly piped up.

Your father’s not coming home for dinner, so we can eat his share

Daddy will be hungry when he comes home. Can

as you wish, my darling. When your father’s home, don’t forget to let him

in delight before running off to the dining table, excited to tuck into his

woke up in the morning, Matthew’s side of the bed was

changed her clothes and made her way

Lawson, did Matthew come back last

Mrs. Tyson. But it was late when he came

has gotten busy? I hear it’s common

smiled and nodded. “I guess

rest of the day, Clarissa didn’t see Matthew at all until

convinced herself it was just her overthinking things. On the second day, Clarissa thought that work had indeed gotten

third day, Clarissa knew in her heart that she could no longer

me the cold

tried to recall what she might have

 But that can’t be, as I remember him being quite happy

protested about his lack of

he wants. My rejections in bed are always futile against him,

clicked in Clarissa’s mind. Could it be the hospital visit? Is he

That’s very

had never thought that she was in the wrong for not visiting George. If she had, the hospital

she had done was in the best interests of the Tysons,

home. Even if he

end, Matthew

with rage. She could put up with him wanting a quarrel or giving her the cold shoulder but spending

party take advantage of the situation, thereby leading to broken relationships and families. With those concerns in mind, Clarissa knew

and rage, sleep was an impossible task now. Thus,

the call, Clarissa

home right now!

hung up the

thankful for was that Damian was still fast

Highlands. An irate Clarissa had been waiting for him on the couch, staring angrily with big,

Matthew walked into the

asked, although deep down, he

me that? You stayed out all night without an explanation,

hospital the whole night,

point is why you haven’t told me anything. For the past few days, you never once informed me if you’d be working or going to the hospital. Are you intentionally avoiding me, or do you not want

looked haggard as he massaged his temples, “I’ve

Is Julia your

Clarissa was,

but be amused at how she got riled up only after three long

Julia

or not? And what’s with that icy gaze of yours? Just say