Fireflies in Midnight Silence By Aria Bennett 4

Fireflies in Midnight Silence By Aria Bennett 4 Summary

A week passed without any sign of Samuel, and Paulette’s only connection to him was through Maureen’s Instagram posts. Maureen appeared radiant and happy, flaunting expensive gifts from Samuel and sharing moments that showed him going out of his way to please her, despite his usual dislikes. Paulette watched helplessly as Maureen’s posts revealed a seemingly close and affectionate relationship between her and Samuel, including a story of him getting hurt while defending Maureen from a harasser.

 

As Paulette absorbed these updates, her heart sank deeper, but instead of reacting with anger or tears, she quietly deleted all photos of herself and Samuel from her phone. Fifteen days later, having divided their personal assets for the divorce, Paulette realized the joint business ventures between their families still needed addressing. She tried calling Samuel but received no answer, so she decided to visit the Lloyd Group headquarters in person.

 

Upon arriving, Paulette found Maureen’s desk empty and entered Samuel’s office, where she was met with his rough, strained voice questioning her presence. Paulette noticed something odd but pressed on, laying out the documents related to their shared business interests. Suddenly, Samuel’s behavior became erratic, and a woman—Maureen—emerged from under his desk, embarrassed and trying to explain her presence by saying her leg had fallen asleep.

 

The scene shocked Paulette, who was overcome with tears. Samuel panicked and tried to explain that things were not as they appeared, while Maureen pleaded with Paulette not to misunderstand, insisting she was only helping Samuel relieve stress and that he had not touched her. The chapter ends with Paulette caught in a confusing and painful confrontation, facing unexpected emotions and revelations.

 

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Chapter 4

A full week slipped by without any sign of Samuel. Paulette’s only connection to him came through Maureen’s Instagram updates.

The first post was a collage of photos. Maureen, radiant and smiling, wore dazzling jewelry worth millions—a lavish gift from Samuel—and a stunning gown that perfectly complemented his tuxedo.

The caption read, “Mr. Lloyd treats me like royalty. He says I deserve nothing but the very best.”

The second post caught Paulette’s attention sharply: close-up shots of a hand, bruised and scraped. She recognized it immediately—it was Samuel’s.

The caption said, “Some jerk tried to harass me today. Samuel got so angry he broke three of the guy’s teeth and hurt his own hand in the process. Poor CEO!”

There were more posts after that.

Samuel, who usually detested shopping, had spent an entire day at a Lloyd Group mall just to be with Maureen.

He, who never enjoyed sweet drinks, had waited in line for three hours alongside her just to share a single milkshake.

He even took Maureen along on a business trip overseas. The man who hated being photographed posed for so many pictures with her that they couldn’t all fit into one post.

Paulette stared at these updates, her heart sinking deeper with each one. That night, she stayed awake until dawn once again.

But this time, she didn’t cry, didn’t rage, and didn’t confront Samuel.

Instead, she quietly unlocked her phone, scrolled through every photo of herself and Samuel together, and deleted them all.

Fifteen days passed.

By now, Paulette had divided all her personal assets according to the divorce agreement.

However, the Calvert and Lloyd families shared many joint business ventures that still required attention.

Gathering the necessary documents, Paulette summoned the courage to call Samuel for the first time since filing for divorce.

The phone rang and rang with no answer.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she grabbed the files and headed straight to the Lloyd Group headquarters.

Maureen’s desk, usually stationed just outside Samuel’s office, was empty.

Paulette walked down the hall and pushed open Samuel’s office door.

Inside, a flurry of hurried movement caught her off guard.

Samuel’s head whipped up as she entered, his voice rough and strained. “What are you doing here? I thought you were so determined to get this divorce.”

Paulette frowned, catching an odd scent lingering in the air.

She pushed the thought aside, stepped toward his desk, and laid the files down.

“Since we’re divorcing, we need to discuss the future of the Calvert-Lloyd joint ventures. You—”

A low groan interrupted her.

Samuel’s breathing became sharp and uneven.

“Enough! Get out!” he barked.

His strange behavior confused Paulette further.

Before she could make sense of the situation, a soft gasp came from beneath the desk.

Suddenly, a woman stumbled out at Paulette’s feet. Her hair was messy, her face flushed with embarrassment.

She quickly scrambled to her feet and hid behind Samuel, stammering, “Sorry, Mr. Lloyd… My… my leg just fell asleep.”

Putting the pieces together—the odd noises, his labored breathing—Paulette’s face drained of color.

Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks almost immediately.

Samuel’s expression turned panicked. “Paula, I… It’s not what you think…” he tried to explain.

Maureen dropped to her knees before Paulette, waving her hands frantically.

“Mrs. Lloyd, please don’t misunderstand! You’ve been ignoring Mr. Lloyd. I was only trying to help him relieve some stress. He didn’t touch me, I swear!”

Conclusion

 

The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing Paulette’s quiet resignation and the painful unraveling of her relationship with Samuel. Her decision to delete their photos signifies a bittersweet farewell to the memories they once shared, while her courage to face the reality of their separation highlights her inner strength. Despite the lingering emotional turmoil, Paulette’s resolve to address the practicalities of their intertwined lives reveals her determination to move forward with clarity and dignity.

 

Meanwhile, the tense encounter at Samuel’s office exposes the fragile and complicated dynamics still at play, underscoring themes of misunderstanding, vulnerability, and the blurred lines between personal and professional spheres. The emotional weight carried by each character adds depth to the unfolding drama, leaving readers with a sense of unresolved tension yet a hopeful glimpse of the characters’ capacity for honesty and growth.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

The next chapter promises to plunge deeper into the tangled emotions and simmering tensions between Paulette, Samuel, and Maureen. Paulette’s shock and heartbreak are palpable as she confronts a scene that challenges everything she thought she knew. The uneasy atmosphere in Samuel’s office hints at secrets and misunderstandings that could either shatter or redefine their relationships. Readers can expect a raw exploration of trust, betrayal, and the fragile lines between truth and perception.

 

As Paulette grapples with the confusing and painful reality before her, Samuel’s desperation to explain himself will likely intensify, revealing layers of complexity in his character and their shared history. Meanwhile, Maureen’s frantic defense adds an intriguing dynamic that raises questions about loyalty, manipulation, and the roles each person plays in this emotional drama. The next chapter will undoubtedly deepen the conflict and test the characters’ resolve, leaving readers eager to uncover what lies beneath the surface.