Chapter 40: Were you following me?

Words : 1244 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 40: Were you following me? Anne let out a quiet breath of relief. She had feared he might not like her gift, but his warm acceptance eased her worries. In the past, whenever she had bought something for Denis, he would mock at her taste, dismissing her efforts without a second thought. But Augustine was different. He valued her gesture, making her feel seen in a way she hadn’t before. However, as soon as Denis’s name crossed her mind, her mood darkened. His cruel words resurfaced in her memory, dimming the warmth she had just felt. "You... it was supposed to be a gift from me," she pouted. "But you paid for it." Augustine’s lips curled into an amused smile. "My money is your money." He pulled out a sleek black card from his wallet and pushed it toward her. "Here. Keep it. Use it whenever you need." Anne shook her head and immediately pushed the card back. "No. I don’t need this. I have a job—I can take care of my own expenses." "Anne," Augustine said gently, "we are married. Let me take care of your expenses." He firmly placed the card in her hand. Conflict swirled inside her. She hadn’t forgotten what Tania had said about Augustine. He had already endured plenty of hardships while living abroad and was still searching for a stable job. She refused to add to his troubles with her own problems. She pushed it back to him once more. "I don’t want to be a burden on you. You’re new in town, and you have your own concerns to deal with. Besides, you don’t even have a job yet—you shouldn’t be using up your savings like this." Augustine remained silent as he listened to her intently. "It’s not that I doubt your capabilities," she clarified. "I know you’ll find work soon. But things here have changed over the years. Denis has power, and I’m afraid he might create obstacles for you. So please, don’t spend recklessly." For a moment, Augustine simply looked at her. Her sincerity struck something deep within him. Her genuine concern for his well-being, stirred emotions he had suppressed for so long. His mind drifted back to the past, to the years he had spent struggling abroad. He had worked relentlessly, juggling two, sometimes three jobs just to cover his tuition fees. It had been exhausting, but he had never once given up. Through sheer determination, he had not only survived but thrived. Despite the hardships, he had managed to save and invest wisely in the stock market. He had made enough money to launch his own business. Everything he had built, every cent he owned, was a result of his own perseverance—the Beaumont family had contributed nothing. Anne had no idea. She had no clue that he had already amassed a fortune far greater than the Beaumonts, that Denis was insignificant in comparison. But Augustine chose to keep that to himself for the time being. His fingers curled around the black card. "As your husband, it’s my responsibility to take care of you," he stated firmly, pressing the card back into her hand. This time, he didn’t give her a chance to refuse. "And don’t worry about me—I’ll find a job soon." Anne parted her lips to protest, but the determination in his eyes left no room for argument. She nodded, relenting. "Fine," she said, tucking the card into her purse. "I’ll keep it." Then, eager to lighten the mood, she changed the topic. "By the way... why were you at the mall?" A teasing glint flickered in her eyes. "Were you following me?" Augustine smirked, leaning forward slightly. "What if I say yes?" Her playful expression vanished in an instant. She blinked at him, caught off guard. "No way. Why would you follow me? You didn’t even know I was there." "Are you sure about that?" His smirk deepened. "You don’t know a lot about me. I have many eyes watching over what’s happening around me—and the people I care about." He meant every word, but Anne didn’t take him seriously. "Hmm, that makes me suspicious of you." She tapped her finger on her chin, pretending to scrutinize him. Leaning forward, she asked in a hushed tone, "Are you a spy? Working for a private detective agency?" He hadn’t expected that. A deep chuckle escaped Augustine’s lips. "So that’s what you think of me?" He shook his head, his smirk lingering. "Don’t worry—you’ll find out who I really am soon enough. For now, let’s eat. The food is here." The waiter arrived, carefully balancing a tray of food. He placed the dishes before them. Augustine gestured toward the meal. "Dig in." Anne picked up her spoon, but her mind was elsewhere. The question still nagged at her. How had he found her at the mall? She took a slow sip of her soup before setting her spoon down and raising her gaze at him. "On a serious note: how did you find me there? I didn’t tell you I was going shopping." Augustine hesitated for a moment. He couldn’t tell her the truth—that he had people watching over her. She might misunderstand his intentions or, worse, get upset. Clearing his throat, he quickly came up with an excuse. "Actually, I was at the mall to buy some clothes. I have an interview tomorrow, and if all goes well, I’ll land the job." Anne’s eyes widened with excitement. "A job interview?" A smile broke through like sunlight after rain. "That’s great! I believe you’ll get this job." Augustine quirked his lips, pleased by her enthusiasm. He wondered how she would react if she knew the truth—that he was actually the founder and president of the Sphere Group of Industries. For now, he chose to keep that secret to himself. They finished their meal and returned home. Standing in the living room, Anne hesitated. "Good night," she said softly. But unlike before, she didn’t immediately turn to leave. Something inside her wanted to linger, to share a little more time with him. Yet, another part of her warned against giving in too soon. Augustine, too, wasn’t ready for the night to end. He wished he had an excuse to keep her by his side just a little longer. But instead, he simply nodded. "Good night." His gaze dropped to the carrying bag in his hand. "Thank you for this." A slow smile tugged at his lips as he lifted it slightly. "I’ll wear the shirt tomorrow." Anne’s grin widened, her heartwarming at his words. "I know you prefer white. But trust me, this shirt will look great on you." Her confidence made him chuckle. "Then I guess I’ll have to see for myself." As their eyes met, the air between them grew charged, neither willing to step away just yet. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. A memory surfaced. "I have something for you too," he broke the silence, a spark of excitement flickering in his voice. "Wait here." He hurried to the guest room, opening the nightstand drawer to retrieve a box. It was the gift he had intended to give her on their wedding night, but her unexpected words back then had stopped him. Tonight felt different. She no longer seemed as distant, and this moment held the potential to shift everything between them. Gripping the box, he returned to the hall, anticipation building in his chest.

Chapter 40: Were you following me?

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