Chapter 18 Are You Jealous?
Sloane's POV
His handsome face was full of anxiety, his dark eyes locked tightly on me, filled with emotions I couldn't understand - worry and... a trace of regret.
What exactly did I mean to him?
He could accuse me without hesitation for Keira's sake, but he could also show such genuine concern after I'd been wronged.
He could coldly push me away, but he could also appear out of nowhere when I was in the most danger.
This man - sometimes heartless, sometimes affectionate.
I really couldn't figure him out.
My gaze uncontrollably fell on his moving lips. Those thin lips had a beautiful shape, now pressed into a tense, straight line.
But in my mind, I couldn't help but see the scene from the villa living room - him and Keira tangled together.
Those lips had been that close to her too.
The dim lighting, their intertwined figures, Keira lying against his chest whispering sweetly.
A wave of intense nausea suddenly surged up, instantly overwhelming the slight confusion and flutter that had just begun to rise.
I just felt dirty.
I yanked my hand back as if I'd touched something filthy, backing up several steps to put a safe distance between us. My stomach churned, the nausea coming so suddenly and violently that I covered my mouth, almost throwing up right there.
"Sloane?" Seeing my face change, Jared instinctively moved forward but was stopped by the look in my eyes.
Hannah immediately blocked his way, standing in front of me like a mother hen protecting her chick, shielding me firmly behind her. "Jared, don't come any closer!" she warned. "If you dare hurt Sloane again, I'm not done with you! And I'm saying this now - as long as I, Hannah Montclair, am still in this family, that bitch Keira will never set foot through the Montclair family's door! If she dares come, I'll tear her apart every single time!"
"Are you done with this nonsense?" Jared clearly didn't take Hannah's threat seriously, treating it like a child's tantrum. He tiredly rubbed his temples, his tone full of impatience.
His gaze moved past Hannah to land on me, his voice softening as if coaxing a difficult child. "Don't just stand here. I'll take you both to eat. Whatever it is, we can talk about it after dinner."
As he spoke, he reached out his hand again, trying to pull me along.
I looked at that hand reaching toward me - defined knuckles, clean and slender. But what floated through my mind was the image of this hand caressing Keira last night.
That nausea I'd forced down surged up again.
"Don't touch me." I dodged to the side, my voice cold as ice. "You're dirty."
Jared's hand froze in mid-air, his face instantly darkening, a storm brewing in his eyes. "Sloane, I told you last night was a misunderstanding."
"Really?" I finally couldn't hold back, laughing sarcastically. "Did I misunderstand you two half-dressed in each other's arms, or did I misunderstand her lying on your chest whispering to you? Jared, your misunderstandings are really something special."
My words hit him like a slap across the face. His handsome features tightened, his jawline tensing into a hard, cold line. After a long moment, he suddenly stepped closer, his deep eyes locked on me, his voice carrying a trace of anger and probing after being exposed. "Are you jealous?"
I froze.
I hadn't even realized that even at this point, I could still feel jealous.
I looked at him and suddenly felt that saying even one more word was a waste. I turned and walked away, my steps quick and urgent.
"Sloane!" Jared's voice came from behind me, urgent.
I didn't look back, walking straight to the roadside and flagging down a taxi. I pulled open the car door and was about to get in when he pressed it shut, trapping me between him and the car.
"Where are you going?" He was breathing hard, his chest heaving violently, his eyes filled with a panic I couldn't understand.
I didn't want to talk to him. I tried hard to pry his hand away, but he only gripped tighter.
"Jared! Let Sloane go!" Hannah had caught up too, breathless, trying to pull Jared away.
I gave up struggling and just looked at him coldly. "Jared, let go. Don't make me feel even more disgusted."
He seemed stung by the revulsion in my eyes, and his grip unconsciously loosened a bit.
I took the chance to break free, got in the car without looking back, slammed the door, and urged the driver, "Drive!"
The car sped away. In the rearview mirror, I saw him frozen in place, his tall figure looking somewhat lonely in the traffic.
Hannah stood beside him, seeming to yell something at him.
I looked away, leaned back against the seat, and closed my eyes.
My hand slowly moved to my lower abdomen, feeling the warmth of the little life there.
Baby, don't be afraid. Mommy will protect you.
I wandered aimlessly, finally having the driver stop in front of a luxury boutique in the city center.
I paid and got out, walking straight inside.
The store was filled with a light fragrance, soft lighting illuminating the elegant display cases. But I couldn't feel any of the luxury - I just felt suffocated.
I immediately spotted that ruby necklace in the display case. The pigeon blood red gemstone sparkled brilliantly under the lights, radiating a passionate and bold beauty.
"Miss, would you like to take a look? Is it a gift or for yourself?" A sales associate gracefully approached.
"This one. I'll take it." I pointed at the ruby necklace, speaking calmly.
The associate paused, then broke into a delighted smile and began packaging it for me.
Just as I was about to scan the code to pay, a shadow fell over me, and a familiar voice sounded above my head.
"I'll pay."
I looked up to see Jared's face - he'd somehow followed me here.
He must have followed all the way. His breathing was still a bit unsteady, a light sheen of sweat on his temples, but those dark eyes stared at me without blinking.
I ignored him and took out my phone, telling the associate, "I'll pay myself."
"Use mine." But he moved first, holding his phone up to the scanner. With a "beep," the payment went through.
I looked at him, my eyes ice cold.
The associate had already placed the necklace in an elegant gift box, tied with a silk ribbon bow.
I reached out to take it. Though the box wasn't heavy, I gripped it tightly, my knuckles turning slightly white.
"Let me carry it." Jared suddenly reached out to help.
"No need." I dodged to the side, clutching the gift box even tighter. The corner of the box pressed into my palm, but I'd rather endure that than have any more connection with him.
Holding the elegant gift box, I turned to leave.
"Sloane." He called out behind me, his voice carrying a confusion and defeat I'd never heard before. "What do you actually like?"