Chapter 7 Spoiled Fruit
Jemima remained silent.
Julius handsome face, though seemingly composed, revealed a hint of unease.
Finished
The phone kept vibrating incessantly–if not a call, then a video chat invitation. Eventually, an endless barrage of text messages began, one after another, reckless and brash.
The tension in the room grew palpable.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?” Jemima reminded, her voice cool and detached.
Only then did Julius reach out for his phone, shutting it off without even sparing it a glance, before placing it back on the
bedside table.
He gently touched her forehead. “You’re still having a fever. Don’t worry, get some sleep. I’ll watch over you.”
Jemima lay back down and closed her eyes.
An hour later, her breathing became steady, as if she had fallen asleep.
Julius picked up the phone from the bedside table, powering it on as he moved toward the balcony. After reading the text message, he dialed a number. “Are you all right? Don’t be scared. I’m coming right away…
He spoke in a hushed tone, then went back into the room to grab his coat and left.
Behind him, Jemima quietly opened her eyes.
She hadn’t managed to sleep at all.
In truth, she didn’t really know what she was still hoping for. A man who had a change of heart was like spoiled fruit–only bound to rot more and more as time went on.
It was half past four in the early morning when Julius returned.
Seeing that Jemima was still asleep, he breathed a sigh of relief. He reached out and touched her forehead, finding it no longer hot.
He got up and took a shower.
After a while, he emerged in his robe and lay down next to her. From behind, he
ently wrapped his arm around her waist.
Once he was asleep, Jemima quietly moved his hand from her waist and sat up in bed. She observed the sleeping man with cool gaze. His face, as always, was strikingly handsome.
Suddenly, her eyes fell upon the delicate row of bite marks on his collarbone, and a pang pierced through her chest.
His body, already tainted and utterly soiled, made her entertain the thought of smothering him with a pillow.
When Julius woke up, Jemima had already gotten out of bed.
F
As he came downstairs, he saw her wearing an apron and preparing breakfast for the two of them. She called him over to eat
“The fever just broke. Why didn’t you sleep a bit more?” he asked, reaching to touch her forehead. Jemima subtly dodged him. “It’s just a minor cold, nothing serious
She untied her apron and went over to sit down.
Julius looked at his empty hand, feeling a touch of embarrassment. However, seeing her calm demeanor and realizing she was no longer angry, he didn’t dwell on it and sat down.
“I need to discuss something with you,” Jemima began.
“What is it?” Julius asked, taking a sip of his juice.
Chapter 7 Spoiled Fruit
Finished
“I want to quit my job,” Jemima said, catching Julus off guard. Before he could ask why, she continued. “All these years, I’ve only known work. Im tired now, and I want to experience the comfortable life of a wealthy lady.”
Julius narrowed his eves, scrutinizing her statement. “Are you sure you’re not joking with me?”
“Of course. What, do you think I’m a masochist, incapable of enjoying life!” Jemima replied with a laugh
After giving it some thought, Julius agreed. “Not working might actually be a good idea. You can stay at home, and we can take this opportunity to have a child
Jemima merely smiled
You sure have it all planned out. So, you want me to be your baby–making machine while you keep spending your nights with your precious Nadie–Bear, is that it Go on, keep living in your fantasy world
“Til be wrapping up my resignation in the next few days. I’ve been considering a trip to Upresia with Mia. It’s been a while since I last traveled”
“Isn’t she swamped with work at her firm? Does she really have time to travel with you?”
“Yeah, she’s busy, but she’s making time to come with me.” Jemima replied, her smile radiant.
For a moment. Julius was speechless, as if something had crossed his mind.
After a while, he finally spoke. “It would be good to get out and have some fun. I’ll handle all the arrangements for your trip. so you won’t have to worry about anything. Just go and enjoy yourself.”
Jemima responded with a smile again, neither accepting nor rejecting his offer.
When the time comes, Fl be saving goodbye to you
The wound on her forehead was too conspicuous. She didn’t want to appear at the company in such a pitiful state right before her resignation, so she decided to take a few more days off to recover.
With the luxury of time, she leisurely packed her clothes, shoes, bags, and other miscellaneous items each day. She moved them, one by one, to her new home.
The emptiness of the cabinet became quite noticeable, and with just a bit of attention, anyone could discern it.
But Julius remained completely oblivious.
Even as she burned their wedding photo in front of him in the yard, he was too engrossed in his phone to notice. With his head bowed, he occasionally chuckled and responded to messages with evident pleasure.
If only he could spare a moment to glance at his wife through the floor–to–ceiling window, he would notice her standing
there.
Jemima stood within the lingering glow of the sunset, her gaze fixed on him. His eyes were full of laughter. She quietly observed him for a long time.
It wasn’t until the lighter in her hand seared her fingertips that she finally let go as if giving up on something
The flames devoured the gasoline, casting an eerie glow on the couple in the wedding photo within the metal barrel. Her smile was once sweet and blissful, and his eyes were filled with nothing but her. Yet, as the fire raged on, their faces twisted and melted away until only a mound of black ashes was left.
Suddenly, a suffocating feeling overwhelmed her heart. As she stared at the pile of ashes, her eyes welled up with a thick mist
of tears.
“What are you burning?”
Julius finally noticed the commotion outside the house and got up to investigate.
Jemima tilted her head back, trying to keep her emotions in check. “It’s nothing…” She turned to look at him, her eyes slightly reddened but with a gentle smile. “Just some useless junk.”
