The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 135- A Secret in Her Heart

Janet sat quietly beside Charles in the sleek black Bugatti Veyron as it pulled away from the towering Louis Corporation building. Outside, a swarm of reporters and onlookers surrounded the entrance, a tidal wave of flashing cameras and shrill voices.

But even with the chaos behind them, Janet couldn’t stop the chill from crawling through her body.

"Charles... was that your doing too?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She had heard the rumors when they left. Elvira—drugs, scandalous photos, her entire reputation destroyed in one afternoon. Her life... ruined beyond repair.

Charles’s jaw tightened. He didn’t deny it.

"Janet, the process doesn’t matter. Only the outcome does."

His gaze lingered on her pale face. He could feel her trembling, even now. His Janet... Why did she still have room in her heart for mercy?

Elvira had brought this upon herself. She deserved everything.

Janet said nothing. Her lips pressed into a thin line as a dull ache spread through her skull. Her thoughts blurred into a haze, too heavy to untangle. She closed her eyes, hoping to find a moment of rest. But the fear came back again—the terrifying fear that she might wake up blind.

When she opened her eyes again, the car had already stopped in front of the villa.

Charles helped her inside and returned to the office soon after. Janet settled into a wicker lounge chair in the sun-drenched garden, letting the golden afternoon light bathe her in warmth. Her pale complexion was softly illuminated, making her look less weary... almost ethereal.

But inside, she felt hollow.

Why did it feel like she was about to lose something important?

Her hand moved instinctively to her lower belly—the place where a new life had just begun. A child. Their child. The fruit of her love with Charles. And yet... she couldn’t feel anything. No connection. Just an overwhelming exhaustion that seemed to seep into her bones.

Was she... sick?

She didn’t know what was happening to her. She never felt like she got enough sleep. And every time she opened her eyes, she had to force them wide—terrified she’d be surrounded by darkness again.

The only comfort she had left... was him. The man who loved her. The father of her child.

But she hadn’t told Charles. Not about the fatigue. Not about the blackouts. Not about the fear.

Was her body falling apart... or her mind? Or maybe... both?

"Janet... Janet, wake up!"

Charles’s voice drifted into her ears like a breeze. He had returned and found her lying in the chair, her eyes closed, her face as serene as a painting. Her chin tilted up slightly, the curve of her jaw soft in the evening light. She looked almost too beautiful to disturb.

But worry gnawed at him.

It was nearly dusk. She wore only a knitted cardigan, with a thin blanket draped over her. Fiona must have covered her before she left. Charles knelt beside her, gently calling her name.

"Is it dark already?" Janet murmured, her voice small, distant. Darkness clouded her vision again. She heard him... but she couldn’t see him.

Charles didn’t notice her panic. He simply frowned and slipped his arms beneath her.

"You fell asleep out here? What if you caught a cold?" he scolded softly, lifting her into his arms.

The setting sun cast long shadows over the earth. Gray clouds began to creep across the horizon. Was the sky already turning dark?

As he carried her inside, Charles suddenly felt it—that familiar jolt in his chest. She felt lighter than before. Almost too light. If he wasn’t careful, it was as if... he might lose his grip on her completely.

Why did he feel this way?

Why did Janet’s silence, her faint smile, her distant eyes... give him the terrifying sense that she was slipping away?

Inside the brightly lit living room, the glare of the chandelier hit Janet’s face. She instinctively lifted her arm to block the light. When her eyes blinked open again...

The world was clear once more.

But for how long?

The familiar furniture, the cozy scent in the air—this was still their home.

Her home.

The place she shared with Charles.

"You don’t look well. Are you feeling sick anywhere?" Charles gently helped her sit down on the plush sofa. One of his hands reached up to feel her forehead, his eyes filled with concern.

"I’m fine. Maybe I just overslept... my head’s a little dizzy." Janet forced a smile as a sharp pulse of pain throbbed at her temples. But when she looked into Charles’s eyes, that ache seemed to dull a little.

Before she could say anything more, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind. Charles pulled her into his chest, his long fingers caressing her forehead. Warm breath brushed against her neck.

"You never let me relax, do you... little troublemaker?" he whispered softly.

Janet parted her lips, wanting to tell him something—something important. But the words were swallowed by his fervent kiss the moment their eyes met.

Maybe... it was time to tell him.

He deserved to know. He shouldn’t have to keep worrying.

Charles... he should be happy.

She had meant to tell him last night, but sleep had crept in before she could. When she woke, he had already gone to the office.

Janet sat up and glanced at the clock. Picking up the phone, she dialed his number.

"Hubby..." The rarely used word slipped from her lips instinctively. On the other end, Charles’s deep, soothing voice answered immediately, tinged with a smile.

"Missed me already, wifey?"

"Mmh..." Janet’s cheeks flushed red. Charles could practically picture her flustered little expression, and the thought made his lips curve upwards in amusement.

Novia had just handed him a contract to sign, but the moment she saw the change in his expression, she wisely left the room without a word.

"Are you busy?" Janet asked, her voice soft, her smile unknowingly mirroring his.

Charles chuckled. "A bit. When did you wake up? Have you eaten? Don’t come to the office today. I’ll come get you at noon—we’ll have lunch together."

His rapid-fire concern left Janet momentarily stunned.

She could feel it—Charles had changed. He was more attentive now, more gentle. He spoiled her in every possible way.

And yet, because of Cornelia’s memory... she had been distant. Cold, even.

And he... he never complained.

"No need," she said gently. "I want to visit Mom today. At the cemetery."

Charles paused. As if sensing what he might say next, Janet quickly added, "I want to go alone, Charles. It’s okay, really."

"...Alright. I’ll send a driver then."

But just as the words left his lips, she refused again.

"It’s fine, I can go by myself. Let’s meet tonight, okay? Come home early. I... have something important to tell you."

Janet hung up with a soft smile on her lips. Her gaze drifted down to her belly, resting a hand gently on the life growing inside her.

Baby... Daddy will be so happy when he knows about you.

She could almost picture it—Charles’s sharp, usually expressionless face softening with joy. Just like how he loved her... he’d love their child too.

Back at the office, Charles lowered the phone slowly, a rare look of surprise in his eyes.

Something important?

Her words echoed in his mind. And just like that, he couldn’t focus on work anymore.

Instead... he found himself eagerly looking forward to tonight.

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