Chapter 2
“That’s right! There’s a jewelry auction next week. I’ll buy you anything you like.”
Just an hour earlier, I had seen Christy‘ s updated Moments, “Uncle said he’s taking me to the auction next week to check it out. He even promised to snap a photo of the final piece and give it to me! I love my uncle so much”
The post was accompanied by a photo of the two of them making a heart gesture. The wedding ring on Patrick’s finger stood out like a glaring beacon.
I glanced at him coldly. “No need. Save the photo for someone else.”
Patrick‘ s expression stiffened, his gaze lowering. Just as he was about to speak, his phone buzzed.
A message from Christy popped up- nothing but a photo of a bed covered with. an assortment of adult toys.
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He stared at the screen, his Adam’s apple moving involuntarily.
酒
Lora, there’s a new business at the
company, and I need to leave on a trip for
few days.”
With that, he hurried out, the corners of kis eyes twitching.
thought back to the countless nights he had rushed out with the excuse of urgent vork or the frequent business trips that in ollowed.
a
ust then, my aunt‘ s message came hrough. I opened it, “Lora, your uncle has ubmitted your immigration application. aree you next week!”
sex
Patrick returned exactly a week later. I ssumed he would head straight to the ffice, but to my surprise, he rushed home uring the morning rush hour.
isty over the past few days, Christy’s social
aedia updates have been relentless. In her totest post, she posed in a white gauzy
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He stared at the screen, his Adam’s apple moving involuntarily.
“Lora, there’s a new business at the company, and I need to leave on a trip for a few days.”
With that, he hurried out, the corners of his eyes twitching.
I thought back to the countless nights he had rushed out with the excuse of urgent work or the frequent business trips that
followed.
Just then, my aunt‘ s message came through. I opened it, “Lora, your uncle has submitted your immigration application. See you next week!”
Patrick returned exactly a week later. I assumed he would head straight to the office, but to my surprise, he rushed home. during the morning rush hour.
Over the past few days, Christy‘ s social media updates have been relentless. In her latest post, she posed in a white gauzy
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nightgown, managing to look both
innocent and seductive.
Her caption read, “Uncle praised my new battle outfit and said he‘ d tear it off with
his own hands!”
I chuckled coldly and left a casual comment, “It’s his favorite style.”
Shortly after, the post vanished.
The moment Patrick walked through the door, he began to reprimand me. “Lora, I already explained what happened last time! Christy is just an 18–year–old girl. Why are you always targeting her?”
I froze for a moment, quickly realizing it must be because of the deleted post.
Sure enough, Patrick caught my expression and grew even more irritated.
“She only said she was fortunate to have a good boss, and you insulted her with such nasty words!”
“Lora, you‘ re 30 years old. How can you
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stop bullying a young girl?”
I pressed my lips together, choosing not to argue, letting Christy’s lies poison hist mind.
In three days, I’ll be gone. His opinions. no longer matter to me.
Seeing that I didn’t defend myself like I used to, Patrick hesitated, guilt flashing across his face as he softened his tone.
“Lora, you were always the most. reasonable person before. Why have you been acting so childish lately? Is it because you haven’t been feeling well?”
He placed the food container on the dining ettable and carefully ladled out a bowl of hot
porridge.
ed “This is stomach–nourishing porridge
from the old house. I asked the kitchen to prepare it for you every day since you‘ ve been unwell. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go back and bring you another portion.”
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He scooped up a spoonful and brought it to my lips.
“Every time you‘ re sick, I wish I could take the pain for you,” he murmured.
I frowned, keeping my mouth closed, refusing to accept the gesture.
Patrick’s patience thinned, and he snapped, “Lora, are you done sulking? You‘ re not some 18–year–old girl anymore. Do you really expect me to keep coaxing you like before?”
He sighed heavily, then added, “Christy is the orphan my Grandpa Mike Barrett, an old family friend, entrusted to me before. he passed away. Isn’t it normal for me to look after her? Can’t you be a bit more understanding?”
I tilted my head, curling my lips into a cold. smirk.
“An orphan you were entrusted to care for? How noble. Taking care of her… even in bed.”
