Chapter 10
There was another silence on the other end of the line.
Julian said, “I was too anxious then. I didn’t mean to…”
“Stop it,” I interrupted, feeling nauseous at every word he said.“Whether you meant it or not can’t change the fact that you did it.”
“Okay, okay, it’s my fault, it’s all my fault. Tell me where the hell are you!”
“I said I’d go back.”
“You must come back tonight, or I’ll dig all over the city to find you!” He gradually lost control of his anger.
I finally relented and said I’d be home in an hour. I was sure a crazy man would do anything, and I didn’t want to reveal the address of my new home.
Sherry drove me home, her knuckles white on the steering wheel.“After all his betrayals, he still parades that entitled arrogance–the temper, the suffocating control…” Her voice hitched.“If he discovers you cheated him into signing the divorce papers, I fear his hands might find your throat.”
I gazed at the city’s constellation of windows, smiling like a blade being sharpened. “Then I’ll keep arsenic in my purse. Let’s see who goes to hell first.”
As soon as I got home, Julian rushed to me, his face a mix of worry and irritation.
I looked at him while changing my shoes. As I bent down, the pain came from the back, and
my brow immediately twisted up. Julian reached out to help me.
“Don’t touch me!” I pushed him away in disgust, even aggravating the tug on the wound.
Julian had mixed feelings. He took back his hand and followed me into the room.
Taking out his phone, he said, “I installed a monitor in my office. You can check it at any time.”
I was surprised. I hadn’t expect him to do that. Looking at the screen, I asked, “Afraid I’m going to catch you off guard like I did today and embarrass your sweetheart?”
Julian explained, “I have nothing to do with her. I mean it.”
‘Well, I admit, she’s funny and cute, but she’s just like a sister to me. Her father sent her to my office so that she could learn something from me.”
‘I’ll sign a contract with the Crowes next week, can I refuse such a small request from them?”
What a good reason.
It seemed that he was only doing this for the company. But if it was truly just for corporate interests, did he really have to indulge her every whim to this extent–even at the cost of harming his own wife?
Since when did he become so hypocritical?
I looked at him with contempt. After a moment, I said, “Oh, I see. She’s just a sister to you. But why would she say you spent many nights together? You sleep with your sister?
*… Like I said, she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
“She’s full of nonsense and you think it’s funny and cute.”
Julian sighed. “In short, there’s nothing between us. Go travel first. When you’re back, we’ll start trying for a baby. You can just stay home all cushy–like as Mrs. Shaw. Don’t worry–the title’s always yours. I’ll stay faithful.”
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Chapter 10
Meng
A smile crept into my face as I stared at him. So just cause he pinky promised I’ll forever be Mrs. Right, I’m supposed to play dumb while he screws around?
But why should I fulfill his wishes? He cheated for thrills–vacationing with Rita, sleeping with her, watching sunrises. Each betrayal sliced my heart. Now he expected me to glue the pieces back just to bear his children and grow old together? What a selfish monster.
“Honey, I love you.” Julian mistook my forced smile for forgiveness, crushing me in a bear hug like some tragic romance hero
There were no waves in my heart. The more I saw him, the more I was determined to leave.
Julian helped me upstairs, called the family doctor to check my back injury.
“No broken bones the doctor said. Julian sighed in relief.
When I entered the bathroom, he followed me.“Let me help you.”
“No need.” If his hands–still stained with her scent–touched me now, I’d genuinely consider arsenic–laced coffee.
Julian sensed my resistance and felt displeased, but he dared not make me unhappy again.
I’m outside the door. If you need me, call me.”
“Sure.” I nod and smile. Don’t worry, I’d rather die in pain than call you.
Emerging in silk pajamas, I found him guarding the door. Steam curled off my flushed skin, collarbones glistening. His gaze darkened.
I went to the bed, ready to sleep, “I have a pain in the back, if you want to do something tonight, I’m afraid I’ll let you down.”
Julian hugged me from behind and kissed my fragrant shoulder. “I’ll be gentle…”
“Too tired. Too sore. Not happening!”
Julian was depressed, but he dared not force me.
“Good night.” He left.
I didn’t go to work the next day. I personally contacted my staff, invited them to dinner, and told them I was leaving. Everyone looked very sorry and sad. They all knew I was Julian’s girlfriend. At first, some whispered I’d slept my way up–until I started delivering projects. It turned out I could code circles around the engineers and schmooze clients better than the sales team. For the past years, I cared more about this company than Julian ever did. Closing deals gave me a high no champagne could match.
They even joked I was working so hard to win Julian over. And now I was quitting.
“I’m sorry to bail like this,” I clinked my beer bottle against theirs. “But I gotta leave. You’ll kill it without me–call me if you need anything.”
One woman cried. She’d been my subordinate since day one. My leaving was like yanking the motherboard from their
computer.
But everyone got it. The whole office knew Julian had hired his Rita and that I walked in on them half–naked in his office last week.
Someone asked me about my future plan. I said that I was still thinking about it.
“Ms. Frost, maybe you should check out Jones Group. I hear their new CEO is very capable and is currently looking
