Blizzard, First Love and a Wife Who Finally Snaps novel Chapter 12

Seeing Oliver listen to Selena, Adrian had Selena try feeding him again.

He thought that after a few more tries, the boy might finally accept it. But it was no use.

Martha knew exactly why Oliver was being difficult. After acknowledging Adrian, she turned to head to the kitchen.

"Martha," Oliver called out, his voice weak. "I want that special porridge, the one with the crunchy white things in it."

Crunchy white things? She figured he must mean water chestnuts.

Martha looked troubled. "Young master, we don't have any of those at home. How about I make you a sweet porridge instead? I promise there won't be anything you don't like in it."

"Why not?" Being sick made Oliver's temper flare. "When I wanted it before, Mom was always able to make it for me!"

Martha tried to soothe him patiently. "Those crunchy white things don't keep for very long. When your mother made it for you, she would drive to a specialty farm in the next state over at the crack of dawn to get them fresh. Then she'd simmer the porridge for four or five hours and have it delivered to your school by lunchtime. It's getting cold now, so they're even harder to find."

"I don't care!" Oliver whined, throwing a tantrum.

Martha felt helpless. "Mr. Blackwell..."

To Adrian, there was nothing in the world money couldn't buy. The household wasn't going to fall apart just because one person was gone. He made a quick phone call, and soon, a delivery of fresh water chestnuts arrived.

"Go make it."

"Yes, sir." Martha took them and disappeared into the kitchen. To get the porridge to that perfect, thick consistency, time was essential.

The clock ticked past midnight.

Martha had long since put Oliver to bed. After prepping some ingredients for the morning, she was about to turn in herself when she saw Adrian, still sitting on the sofa in the exact same spot. She cautiously asked, "Mr. Blackwell, the porridge is still warm. Would you like some? Or if there's something else you'd prefer, I can make it for you."

Adrian just waved a dismissive hand. As Martha retreated toward the staff quarters, she saw him pick up his phone and dial a number. Before a single word was spoken, he hurled the phone away with force. The sharp crack made her jump, and she quickened her pace.

Faintly, she thought she heard him mutter, "The nerve of her, hanging up on me." Isabel hadn't just hung up on Adrian; she had blocked his number. It wasn't as if he ever called her anyway. Nine times out of ten, when she called him, he wouldn't answer. The messages she sent usually vanished without a trace.

"If you block him now, how is he going to contact you about the divorce?" Dylan asked, not fully understanding their dynamic.

"He usually had his assistant contact me before," Isabel said. "When he's ready to file for divorce, he'll have his lawyers get in touch."