Chapter 8

I finished, then silently told myself that in my heart.

"Mom is personally cooking tonight. How about we stay one more day?"

Julian coaxed patiently.

"Alright, just one more day then."

My eyelids fluttered, my voice betraying a hint of indifference.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Davies indeed went to the kitchen.

I watched her busy figure, wanting to help, but she pushed me out with a smile.

Mrs. Davies looked at me with loving eyes:

"When you were little, your brother often ate my cooking, but you were swapped at birth and hardly had any of it."

"Now I just want to make up for that regret."

I looked at the unquestionable love in Mrs. Davies's eyes, and my throat tightened. I wondered if I was being too demanding?

*I already have this love, what am I being so dramatic about?*

My mind was a mess. I went to the garden to clear my head. A distinctive ringtone sounded again; Serena had sent another string of pictures.

"Look, the food Mom claims to make for you? Half of it is what *I* love to eat!"

"Give up, you'll never get rid of me! Mom and Dad will always love me!"

I looked at the provocative message, and the smile on my lips relaxed a little.

I gazed up at the starry sky, and my wavering heart firmed.

I want love without a single impurity!

I won't settle for less!

I'll never forgive Serena, who stole my life and bullied me.

Nor will I forgive Julian, who cheated, or my family, who secretly kept in touch with Serena!

I don't want any of it!

At dinner, I was in a good mood, smiling and chatting throughout, appearing very happy.

Julian, who had been constantly watching my emotions, let out a sigh of relief.

He didn't know why I had been in a bad mood these past few days, but now that I'd recovered, it was good.

Night fell. Julian held me, his hand tentatively stroking my waist, wanting to be intimate.

"I'm tired. I want to sleep."

I pressed his hand down.

Julian took a few deep breaths, calming his ragged breathing, and said softly:

"I won't touch you. Just sleep."

I feigned sleep in his warm embrace, silently counting the time.

Two more days!

Two calm, steady breaths intertwined in the air. A soft knock on the door broke the room's tranquility.

Feigning sleep, I felt him withdraw his arm and quietly go to open the door.

"Julian, you haven't come to see me in three days. Don't you miss me?"

A sweet, cloying voice rang out. I frowned almost imperceptibly, maintaining steady breathing.

"What are you doing here?"

Julian's hushed voice was laced with anger.

"Julian, if I don't come to you, when will we ever have a child?"

Serena persisted.

I slowly opened my eyes. Serena's soft body was wrapped around Julian's tall frame, an incredibly intimate sight.

"Julian, don't you want to do it right in front of your wife?"

Serena's voice was full of seduction.

"Get lost! Have you no shame? *Ugh...*"

Julian groaned, speaking angrily.

"Julian, your body doesn't seem as tough as your words!"

"Let's go to the balcony, okay? She definitely won't find out..."

"She didn't satisfy you again, did she?"

Julian grabbed Serena's neck with one hand, his voice harsh:

"If you make a sound, you're dead!"

Then he picked Serena up with one arm and hurried towards the balcony.

In the darkness, Serena and I made eye contact for a fleeting moment. Her eyes clearly held triumph and mockery.

I slowly closed my eyes, listening to the intimate sounds coming from the balcony, silently mouthing:

*So dirty!*