Chapter 4

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, I was woken by the searing pain from my abdominal wound.

I’d only slept three hours, and dark circles bloomed under my eyes.

I wanted to go back to sleep, but my injuries wouldn't allow it.

The pain persisted until full daylight, when Mr. Davies, the villa’s butler, arrived at the cottage with a doctor to check on my injuries.

My type of gunshot wound usually requires a private doctor; it's not something to show up at a regular hospital for.

So, for the seven years I’d been with Julian, he had always secretly arranged for doctors to treat me.

The doctor quickly gave me anti-inflammatory medication, re-dressed the wound, and applied new bandages.

Before leaving, he specifically instructed me not to engage in strenuous activities for a while, to prevent the wound from reopening and risking a severe hemorrhage.

“Ms. Shaw, you see, the young master still cares about you deeply. He called me before dawn to arrange for your treatment.”

“However, sometimes, darling, there’s a clear line between us due to our different statuses. It's best not to overthink other matters.”

Mr. Davies chuckled and told me many things.

I knew what he meant.

He was warning me, in no uncertain terms, not to entertain any improper ideas.

I remained silent, my mind a blank.

I used to be so certain Julian loved me.

But now, I couldn’t find any trace of his love.

Perhaps there was a glimmer of it once, but it wasn't enough for him to defy his entire family's wishes and choose to be with me, no matter the cost.

After all, I was just a low-class mercenary, living paycheck to paycheck!

After the treatment, I lay idly in the cottage for the entire day.

My mind was filled with everything Julian had ever told me.

Lost in a hazy stupor, my phone suddenly rang.

Looking at the screen, it was Julian calling.

I hadn’t expected him to contact me today.

“How are your injuries?”

“I’m fine, nothing major.”

“Then come over.”

Julian asked me to meet him at a club.

I hadn't expected him to call me to a place like this.

“Maya, you’re here.”

He had Seraphina in his arms, looking completely calm when he saw me.

Seraphina, however, walked up to me, curiously sizing me up.

“They say Ms. Shaw is Julian’s most formidable mercenary, so it's no wonder you successfully retrieved this necklace for me.”

She toyed with the very necklace I had risked my life to retrieve.

Then she took my hand, eagerly saying,

“Speaking of which, I’ve never seen a real spar before. How about Ms. Shaw gives me a little demonstration today?”

I froze for a moment.

A demonstration?

I'm a mercenary, not some circus monkey to be put on display.

I bit my lip, my gaze fixed on Julian in the distance, hoping he would say something, anything.