Chapter 4

Back at the villa, I was assigned to the guest room.

This villa was Julian’s and my marital home. Every corner had been decorated by my own hands.

The plush ornaments on the sofa, the exquisite stone sculptures on the display cabinet, the fresh flowers in the floor vase…

But now, they were all gone.

Alfred, the butler, told me it was at Miss Hastings’ request.

Serena had moved into Julian’s and my marital bedroom.

“Iris, you’re finally home! This is wonderful!” Serena came down from the second floor, eagerly rushing to my side. “Finally, I’m not the only one in this house. You can keep me company now!”

I wasn’t used to feigning civility with Serena. I pulled my hand from her grasp and said nothing.

Julian followed her down from the second floor. He was displeased with my cold attitude and was about to scold me when Serena gently stopped him.

She sweetly said, “Iris, please don’t be mad at me. I really didn’t want to do this, but I’m so uncomfortable with my pregnancy that I have to trouble you to take care of me for a while.”

I was confused. Take care of her? Me, take care of Serena?

I thought Julian had just said it offhand, but I hadn’t expected him to actually mean turning me into her personal attendant.

“Where’s the housemaid?” I demanded of Julian.

“Serena doesn’t like outsiders,” Julian said, knowing he was in the wrong, but not wanting to lose face. After all, in front of me, Julian always had to be superior.

“Serena’s pregnancy is hard on her. As Mrs. Thorne, it’s only right that you take care of her,” Julian added.

Mrs. Thorne. It seemed that as long as I had those three words, as long as I had that title, it could somehow compensate for all the hurt Julian had inflicted on me.

I had no heart to argue with them anymore. I just wanted to go back to my room and get some sleep.

Watching my back as I walked towards the guest room, Julian’s heart inexplicably trembled. Iris had lost more weight. After all, she’d had surgery.

He instructed Alfred to make some of my favorite dishes for dinner.

Seeing Julian staring blankly at Iris’s retreating figure, a venomous glint flashed in Serena’s eyes.

Without a housemaid, and with bodyguards supervising me 24/7, I was trapped in the villa, becoming Serena’s personal servant.

During this time, I had kept in touch with Liam Carter.

Liam had repeatedly tried to find ways to help me escape Julian.

But given that I was under strict surveillance, Liam’s plan had to be put on hold for now.

Liam, despite the time difference, consistently stayed up to chat with me. He was incredibly thoughtful, always sensing my low moods and finding ways to cheer me up.

“Iris, what are you looking at?” Julian stood at the doorway, his voice low and heavy.

I jumped, instinctively turning off my phone. I had been so engrossed in my chat with Liam that I hadn’t even noticed Julian opening the door.

“You should knock before entering someone’s room,” I frowned.

“This is my home. Why would I knock?” Julian said imperiously.

Using his height advantage, he snatched my phone, trying to unlock it.

“What’s the password?” Julian asked.

He was so arrogant and self-centered. I didn’t have the energy to fight him for my phone.

“My birthday.”

Julian repeatedly entered the password, but the phone kept rejecting it, until the security system issued a warning. He sheepishly tossed the phone onto the bed.

Seven years of marriage, and Julian knew nothing about my birthday.

Yet, every year, I prepared for his birthday in advance, sending blessings and gifts right on time.

“Don’t chat with irrelevant people.” Julian threw out this remark, then stormed out, slamming the door so hard it shook the house.