When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 4

Dorothea rolled two suitcases out of Albert’s villa. Reese, the housekeeper, came back from grocery shopping and paused in surprise when she spotted her.

“Dorothea, are you going on a trip for work?”-

Dorothea smiled, just a hint of humor in her eyes. “Yeah, work trip.”

“Oh, I just bought groceries. Let me know when you’re coming back and I’ll make your favorite dishes.”

Coming back? Dorothea’s smile softened. Soon, someone else would be living here. She had no plans to return.

“Thanks, Reese. I’m heading out.”

Reese watched her go, a strange feeling settling in her chest. She couldn’t say exactly what was off, but something definitely was.

Once inside, Reese started putting groceries away and noticed how much was missing. All those cute little decorations Dorothea liked were gone. She went upstairs to the walk-in closet and checked the wardrobe. Dorothea’s clothes were still there, which eased her mind a bit. What Reese didn’t realize was that everything left behind had been a gift from Albert. Dorothea hadn’t taken any of them. She only packed up the things she’d bought for herself.

Still uneasy, Reese grabbed her phone and called Albert in Switzerland.

“Albert, Dorothea came by today and took a lot of her things.”

Albert paused, his brow tightening. “Where did she go?”

“She said she’s going on a trip for work, a few days maybe.”

A work trip? That didn’t make sense. He wasn’t even in the country, and as his personal assistant, Dorothea had no reason to travel without him. Their last chat sat untouched from days ago. He glanced at his phone and saw several missed calls from her. His thumb hovered over the screen, ready to call her back, but then Carola let out a sudden cry from the kitchen.

“Ow, that hurts…”

He hesitated. Dorothea was fine back home. What could possibly have happened? Maybe she was just upset because he hadn’t answered her calls. He put his phone down and hurried toward the kitchen.

“What happened, Carola?”

She was standing at the counter, cutting fruit. She held up her hand, a small cut on her finger. “Albert, I’m so clumsy. I just wanted to cut some fruit for you.”

He immediately got the first aid kit, gently bandaging her finger. He ruffled her hair, his voice soft. “I like you just the way you are, even when you’re clumsy.”

Carola blushed and looked down, her tone teasing but quiet. “Albert, when we get back tomorrow, can I invite Dorothea over?”

Albert’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. He knew Dorothea was Carola’s stepsister.

“I thought you and Dorothea didn’t get along.”

Carola’s eyes sparkled as she blinked up at him. “We don’t, not really. That’s why I want to try fixing things. Mom’s always tense with Dorothea because of me, and I want to do something for her.”

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