The Man Who Took His Place

I did not know what Thayer felt, but it could not have been good.

Still, I knew in my heart that with his overbearing nature, Thayer would never give up so easily.

I dragged my exhausted body back to the Fairchild residence.

For the past few days, I have been busy with a project, working overtime almost every night.

As I stepped inside the house, I rubbed the space between my brows.

An hour earlier, I had received a message from my parents saying Thayer had returned.

At the time, my body had gone rigid where I stood.

I had always known Thayer would come back one day, but when that day truly arrived, I still found myself caught off guard.

I hung my bag on the rack, then lowered my gaze and saw a pair of high heels placed on the floor.

I paused for a moment, then instantly composed a polite smile.

“You’re back?” a gentle voice called out.

I turned and saw Isolde dressed in a black lace nightgown.

Even in such modest sleepwear, her slender waist and full figure were unmistakable.

Her fair skin and striking features were softened by the warm smile on her face.

She frowned slightly, looking at me with concern.

“Why are you so tired? Haven’t you been resting well these past few days?”

I smiled.

“There’s been so much going on at the company. Did you have fun these past few days? How is Sera?”

Isolde stepped forward and slipped into my arms.

Her face rested against my chest as her slender fingers gently traced my back.

“Sera had a wonderful time, “ she said softly.

“She was so tired she fell asleep already. The only regret was that you weren’t there. Next time, the three of us should go out together.

“I missed you,” she said, her voice tinged with quiet intimacy.

I kissed her soft, fluffy hair, yet my heart felt utterly cold.

I felt something soft brush against my lips.

My body stiffened, my mind filled with Thayer’s words from earlier that day.

I no longer responded to her the way I once had.

Instead, I hesitated, then gently braced my hand against her, putting a slight distance between us.

“I…”

My words stopped halfway, because I clearly felt Isolde’s body stiffen for a brief moment.

I sensed at once that she was unhappy.

After a pause, Isolde smiled and picked up where I had left off, “You’ve been so tired lately. Go take a shower and get some rest.”

She found an excuse for me.

Then she leaned in and placed a light kiss at the corner of my lips.

I nodded and turned to go upstairs.

Behind me, the woman standing in the shadows wore an unreadable expression.

The air around her seemed to solidify, her gaze fixed tightly on my burdened silhouette.

The next day, I went to work as usual.

Just as I exited the residential compound, I saw a familiar figure.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel, my brows knitting together.

Thayer had seen my car.

He suddenly rushed in front of it, forcing me to brake.

The cars behind me began honking furiously.

It was peak rush hour.

Security guards hurried over, trying to pull Thayer away.

But he refused to relent.

Even as they dragged him back, he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Caspian Ashford! Stop playing dead! You’re sleeping with your own sister-in-law—have you no shame?”

His shrill voice drew the attention of everyone nearby.

I pulled the car to the side, making sure I wasn’t blocking anyone or any traffic, then stepped out.

I looked at him coldly.

Thayer smiled with satisfaction and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

He laughed.

“What? Embarrassed? Or are you afraid that once Isolde finds out I’m back, she’ll dump you?”

“Thayer, you’re seriously interfering with my life,” I said testily.

“This is my last warning. Don’t come looking for me again!”

Thayer paid no attention to my warning.

A confident, almost triumphant smile spread across his face.

“Stop pretending. You’re just scared. You’ve lived in my shadow since we were kids—of course you envied me. Wanting to replace me is only natural.”

He paused briefly, then stepped closer, leaning in to speak into my ear.

“Too bad. Someone who steals another man’s spot is always driven out in the end. I’ll wait right here.

“When I see Isolde, I’ll explain everything to her. She’ll definitely forgive me.

“And Sera—she’s my daughter. We share a bond of blood that can’t be broken. You’ll never replace me!”

I said nothing and turned back to my car.

This time, Thayer did not stop me.

In the rearview mirror, I saw him watching my car with a faint smile on his lips.

A chill ran through my entire body.

Thayer had been favored since childhood.

He had never followed rules, and whenever things didn’t go his way, he threw tantrums like an overgrown child.

I took a deep breath, forcing my mind away from him.

Over the years, I had painstakingly built both my marriage and my career.

If we divorced, it wouldn’t just affect me—Isolde’s interests would suffer as well.

She still had a way out.

For me, there was no one but myself.