Chương 480: Chapter 480
"Nora, please." Christian grabbed Nora's arm and tired to pull her back into the room.
"No. No more. You have changed, Christian. You are so absorbed into your work I feel like I don't even know you anymore. I can't do this." She pulled back away from him and wiped the tears steaming from her eyes.
"Nora, please! Let's talk about this!" He pleaded desperately but it was too late. She shook her head and slammed the door behind her.
He sat down and sighed with helplessness as he knew there was little he could do. She was right. He had become so absorbed in his role that he hadn't made time for her, or anyone else for that matter. It had been weeks since their wedding and they felt like strangers now. Though the politics were different, not like they were when his father, Erik, was in line for the throne, it was still a lot to take on. Democracy and fairness along with elected officials ran the courts and the parliament. Christian was more for show and philanthropy these days which didn't take his time any less, just differently.
"Hello, son. You rang for me?" Erik walked into the study looking a bit flustered. Pearl had gone to the states to reconcile her birth family before her pregnancy became too far along and Erik was furious that she insisted he stay behind to keep an eye on Christian and the rest of the family.
"She left me," was all Christian could say before putting his face in his hands and sobbing. Erik knew it was coming. They had been drifting apart further and further after the loss of the baby and he knew the pressure of being king along with Christian's commitment to succeeding was creating an unhealthy environment for the newlyweds. He had tried to talk to him, and to Nora in an attempt to prevent this to no avail. Christian was his son and he knew the stubbornness that came with the bloodline. He would have to learn the hard way.
"She will be back. If she loves me, this will only be a bump in the road. A detour, if you will. I will give her some time and then make sure to let her know how much I love and miss her," Christian said.
"No. No she will not be back. This was all too much for her. The crown, the family. We are truly fucked up individuals, you have to know. She's too normal, too good… too pure for this mess of things. Best to let her go." Erik held nothing back. He knew he was right, that she wasn't built for it.
"But I love her. You can't be serious." Christian looked up at Erik with reddened eyes.
"I am absolutely serious," Erik flatly said. "And love is inconsequential to the amount of strength it will take to stand by your side. She doesn't have it."
Christian took a deep breath and wiped his face. After a few minutes of silence, he gathered himself. "Very well, then. So be it." Christian stammered softly.
"It's for the best. I love you, son. You will get through this." He patted his shoulder lovingly.
Christian nodded. "What's on the todays agenda, then?" He sniffled and shook off the pain, stuffing it down and knowing he would have to deal with it later. He hoped it would just disappear but he knew the ache would last much longer than he could bear.
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The end of the week came and Erik was dying to hear from Pearl. It had been three days with only text updates. He knew it would be heavy for her and he wanted to give her space to navigate through it all. She had taken Alex with her and he knew she would be alright. Pearl could handle anything. But he needed her, he could barely breathe without her.
"Hello." Her voice was like an angel on the line.
"My god, I've missed you so much. How are you? How is the baby? When are you returning?" Erik could barely breathe.
"I will fly out in the morning. We are well. It all went well. They are over the moon to know that I am here and that I have the life that I do."
"You made sure your brother is taken care of then?"
"Yes, my love. His mortgage is paid. And I invited him to London anytime he is able." Pearl sounded so happy, so at peace. Erik smiled and nodded, "Good, then. Come home. Come home now. I am desperate for you."
She hung up the phone after telling him she was on her way soon. He smiled and exhaled. Soon, he would have her back in his arms.
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