12
“James, what exactly is your job?”
My voice was hoarse as I traced the many scars on James‘ body, some covered in thick
My heart ached, my eyes stinging.
“I’ll give the bride price back to you. Please don’t leave anymore, okay?”
James smiled and kissed my lips, his whole body radiating satisfaction.
One kiss wasn’t enough. As he leaned in for more, I covered his mouth with my palm.
“Did you hear what I said?”
“I heard.” James‘ muffled voice replied.
“I have to leave in two days, but I promise I’ll come back as soon as I can next time.”
I felt upset.
scar tissue.
I had just realized how much I liked this man, but he didn’t seem to care about being apart.
“I’m going to check on Leo. You sleep by yourself.”
James quickly hugged me, kissing my ear as he apologized, “I’m sorry, I’ll definitely wrap things up quickly, then I won’t leave anymore.”
“Don’t you want to feel your husband’s warmth a bit longer on our honeymoon?”
James said such embarrassing things with a serious face.
“You’re such a scoundrel. I don’t feel good, I’m exhausted. I want to go to Leo.”
“Your husband isn’t tired.” James held me tight, clearly about to get handsy again. I grabbed a pillow to smother his face.
That’s how I managed to escape.
After getting dressed, I said in what I thought was a calm voice: “When you come back for good, I’ll let you have your fill in one go.”
James‘ gaze made my whole body tingle. I ran out before my legs could give way again.
The three days passed quickly. This time James left with a gloomy expression.
Because apart from that first night, I really hadn’t let him have his way again.
I rubbed my still aching waist as I prepared dinner for Leo.
–
Seeing my discomfort, Leo actually deigned to come massage my back. His little fists thumping rhythmically I had to admit, it felt pretty good.
After dinner, I looked at all the invisible cameras around the house and smiled evilly. Then I made a phone call.
Soon, a group of professionals arrived to do a thorough sweep for hidden cameras.
They found a total of 27 concealed cameras.
After paying the bill, I looked at the refreshed house and felt deeply vindicated.
Though I’d never dated before, I seemed to have a natural talent for handling James.
The old lion had gotten a taste and couldn’t go a day without meat now.
I was confident James would wrap up his business abroad as quickly as possible.
Less than 20 minutes had passed when James called urgently.
I deliberately let him wait a while before lazily answering.
“What is it?”
James sounded agitated on the phone, “Why are all the cameras gone?”
“Huh, how would I know? Weren’t you the one who installed them?”
Lexamined my nails, smiling carelessly, “Maybe they broke.”
I heard James let out a heavy breath.
After a few seconds, his tone softened, full of seduction: “Be good, honey. Let’s video chat.”
Ifeigned surprise: “Didn’t you just leave? Oh my, my phone’s only at 95% battery. I can’t talk now, I need to charge it. Have a safe trip, darling!”
Then I swiftly hung up.
I chuckled with glee, getting more and more amused until I burst out laughing.
As expected, I received another look from Leo like I was crazy.
After hearing James explain Leo’s story these past few days, I felt even more heartache for this child on top of the affection I’d developed.
Leo’s experiences were something I could never fully comprehend as an adult.
I couldn’t help hugging Leo gently and kissing his little face. I said seriously: “Sweetie, if you don’t mind, you can call me Mom.”
Leo reached out to feel my forehead.
“Hey, I’m serious! Even though I’m a bit young and pretty, maybe more suited to be your sister.” I patted my chest, “But I don’t mind!”
“I mind, thanks.” Leo turned to walk away.
I pulled him back, “Leo, from now on James is your dad and I’m your mom. If you don’t agree in the future, your dad and I will only have you as
our son.”
Will
“You’ll always be our precious baby.
My eyes got a bit wet as I finished.
Partly from feeling for the child, partly from being moved by myself.
I really was the perfect wife and mother, I thought.
Unexpectedly, Leo looked at me suspiciously, “Are you pregnant?”
“No.” I answered.
What a joke, I had only just transformed from an innocent newlywed to a proper wife yesterday!
Leo nodded, “I see. Well, hurry up and have a little brother or sister for me to play with.”
I was delighted. This kid talked tough, but saying this meant he accepted our family.
“Do you prefer a brother or sister?”
“It’s not up to me anyway. Leo thought I was truly dim.
“Fine, have a girl then. I hear girls take after their fathers.” He left this parting shot before heading to his room.
I didn’t understand. What did he mean by that??
The next day when I called James, I told him about this.
James just chuckled softly, not answering my question.
“Honey, in three months at the latest, I’ll finish things here and come back to you and Leo.”
“Oh, I’m not in a rush.” I scratched my nose. My waist and back were still sore. If he really came back, I wasn’t exactly eager for it right this
moment.
“It’s just that Leo seems ready for preschool now.”
“He’s very well–behaved and doesn’t hit people anymore. I think we could let him try interacting with kids his age.”
“Of course, I don’t know how to handle the paperwork, so I’m not trying to rush you. You’d need to come back to take care of it.”
“The house feels off without you here. Leo and I aren’t used to it.”
An
ways here any come pack to you and Leo.”
“Oh, I’m not in a rush.” I scratched my nose. My waist and back were still sore. If he really came back, I wasn’t exactly eager for it right this moment.
“It’s just that Leo seems ready for preschool now.”
“He’s very well–behaved and doesn’t hit people anymore. I think we could let him try interacting with kids his age.”
“Of course, I don’t know how to handle the paperwork, so I’m not trying to rush you. You’d need to come back to take care of it.”
“The house feels off without you here. Leo and I aren’t used to it.”
James just listened quietly, occasionally responding.
I rambled on and on, but there was one thing I couldn’t bring myself to
say.
As James was about to get busy, I hesitated for a long time before saying softly: “I miss you, I miss you so much. Please be very careful.”
“Honey”
Then I quickly hung up.
What else could I say? I wiped my tears.
Liking someone for the first time, I realized longing could turn into heartache.
Though James hadn’t been by my side these past eight months,
I had a real family now.
in
my
heart I had long seen him as my support.
There was a knock at the door. I composed myself and got off the bed.
Leo stood outside, seeming to struggle with what to say. After thinking, he finally admitted: “There’s one camera you didn’t remove.”
His little finger pointed at my phone, the rest going unsaid.
Very good.
Just great.
This pervert of a husband, whoever wants him can have him.
