Chapter 35:
His swing bumped lightly into mine. “I didn’t come with you. I came because I wanted to
The sunset wrapped his silhouette in a golden glow We sat side by side, watching the caretakers lead the kids back to their dorms One little boy tumed back at the door and waved at us. Julian immediately waved back.
*Julian,” I suddenly spoke, “If I mean, what if we…”
He tumed his head, his eyes sparkling as he waited for me to continue.
But in the end, I didn’t dare to say it clearly.
Children’s laughter drifted from afar and the wind rustled through the treetops.
In this ordinary dusk, in this vibrant courtyard, I suddenly felt that new possibilities could perhaps fill some regrets. Outside the window, snow started to fall gently. I sat at my desk, pen gliding smoothly across my drawing tablet.
“Daphnel Tea time!” My French colleague, Manne, tapped on my desk and waved a box of macarons. “They’ve got a new pistachio flavor!”
In the break room, artists from five different countries were happily debating how to set up the Christmas market
I took the cup of black tea Marine handed me and joined in the lively debate about decorating the gingerbread houses.
This lively and comfortable atmosphere was something the old me couldn’t have imagined at all,
Having my own career felt truly remarkable.
I was also thrilled that I could re–enter society.
My phone vibrated. It was a peace–keeping photo from Julian.
The orange cat was rolling around, hugging his newly bought ball of yarn. In the background, I could see a half–finished hand–knitted scarf. He said he wanted to finish it before Christmas to give to me
We hadn’t put a label on whatever we were and I gradually relaxed, feeling that this was also very good
The comers of my mouth turned up involuntarily. Just as I was about to reply, Jonathan’s call suddenly appeared on the screen.
It was the seventeenth time he had tried to contact me since the cooling–off period began.”
He was as persistent as when he was pursuing me.X
But I’d changed. I wasn’t going to fall into the same trap twice.}
My thumb hovered above the red reject button and finally fell gently.”
Late at night, the chandelier cast Jonathan’s shadow long across the floor in the Zander residence.)
Wendy curled up in the comer of the bed, clutching the sheets tightly, her face pale as paper!!
The weakness after the miscarriage had made her lose weight and dark circles hung heavily under her eyes.!
“Get up.” Jonathan stood by the bed, his voice as cold as ice.l
Wendy’s shoulders twitched, but she didn’t dare to move.
“I told you to get up!” he suddenly roared, yanking the blanket open.
She let out a frightened gasp. The thin fabric of her nightgown did nothing against the cold air and goosebumps instantly covered her
skin.
“Jonathan.” Her voice trembled, “The doctor said I need to rest“!
“Rest?” Jonathan sneered, grabbing her wrist a and dragging her off the bed. “You got rid of my child and you still have the nerve to rest?” Wendy stumbled and fell onto the carpet, her knees hitting the floor painfully.
She looked up at Jonathan, large tears falling from her eyes. “It wasn’t me.”
Slap!
The slap cut her off mid–sentence.S
Jonathan leaned down, gripping her chin so hard it felt like he’d crush her bones.
“If it weren’t for you and your mother stirring up all that drama, Daphne wouldn’t have decided to leave me!”
Blood trickled from the corner of Wendy’s mouth, but she didn’t dare wipe it away. “I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. I really do.“%
“Wrong?” He let go of her face, wiping his hand on his suit in disgust. “Tomorrow you’re going to apologize to Daphne.”
Wendy’s head snapped up. “What?”
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