Chapter 16 So Hard, Carry Me Back to the Room to Sleep
Caspian's body stiffened. He never expected Gloria would do this.
Gloria was sleeping groggily. She had forgotten that she'd already asked James for a divorce.
She thought it was just an ordinary afternoon where she'd fallen asleep on the sofa, and mumbled drowsily, "Too hard. Carry me to the bedroom."
She must have been uncomfortable sleeping there, so she subconsciously said those words.
He bent down and picked her up along with the blanket.
He'd held Gloria before during filming. Compared to three years ago, she seemed even lighter now.
Gloria was extremely tired. She didn't open her eyes even as they went upstairs, really mistaking him for James.
Her small head nestled against his neck, her warm breath spreading across his collarbone.
Staining that patch of skin with a bashful crimson.
As soon as he laid her on the bed, Gloria obediently clutched the blanket, buried her small face in it, and fell asleep.
The electric curtains slowly closed, blocking out the bleak scenery outside.
Caspian closed the door and left.
On the living room sofa, a phone kept vibrating. He glanced down at the contact name: [James].
Three years ago, her contact name for him had read: [My Dearest Beloved Husband].
Now it was just James.
Gloria slept very soundly. Before fully waking up, she rubbed her cheek against the pillow.
The slightly cool sensation made her eyes snap open.
The pillows at home had a brushed cotton texture, but this was clearly silk.
In the dark room, she caught a faint sandalwood scent—Caspian's scent!
The unfamiliar bed made her feel unsettled, as if she were wrapped in Caspian's embrace.
She found the bedside lamp. Under the dim yellow light, her small face was deathly pale.
This was clearly Caspian's bedroom. Even the bedding was black.
She remembered sitting on the sofa playing a matching game while waiting for Caspian.
And then she actually fell asleep?
While half-asleep, she'd even complained that his sofa was too hard and made such an unreasonable request to sleep in his bed?
Just thinking about that scene made Gloria feel like she was going crazy! What had she done!
She was so embarrassed she didn't know what to do.
Gloria threw off the blanket and got out of bed. After thinking for a moment, she neatly folded the blanket for Caspian, then hurried downstairs on the soft carpet.
The living room was quiet, but there were sounds coming from the kitchen.
Gloria followed the sound and saw that tall figure busy at the counter, the air filled with the aroma of food.
"Caspian." Gloria spoke with some difficulty. Originally, she had come to invite him to dinner, but who invites someone to dinner and ends up sleeping in their bed?
Caspian finished washing the vegetables in his hands, turned off the water, and unhurriedly wiped the moisture from his hands before turning around.
Seeing Gloria's embarrassed face, he said calmly, "I haven't stayed here in a long time. Only the master bedroom has bedding."
"I'm so sorry, I... I haven't been sleeping well these past few days."
"Understandable."
His expression was slightly cool as he brought it up on his own. "I saw the news."
Gloria met his unfathomably deep eyes and asked tentatively, "You know who my husband is?"
He answered calmly, "Four years ago, I saw him visit you on set."
Right, that day was Christmas Eve.
James had traveled a long distance to bring her a gift. It snowed heavily that day, and she was full of joy, wearing a thin costume, running wildly through the snowy forest.
That day he happened to be in his car and saw her rush into James's arms.
Heavy snow fell all around her, yet her face was bright with smiles.
Gloria forced a smile, "So you knew all along."
She'd thrown away her career for James, who was now trending with another woman. Caspian must think her pathetic.
However, he didn't comment on this. Instead, he changed the subject, "It's late today. Let's just eat at home."
His gaze fell on her feet. "But first, put on your shoes."
Gloria put on slippers and found her phone on the sofa.
Over the years, she rarely got phone calls anymore.
Except for occasional calls from her grandmother, there were only delivery notifications and James.
When she thought about it, it was pretty sad—she didn't even have a confidant.
Even if she died today, no one would know, would they?
Looking at the dozens of missed calls from James on her phone, her expression darkened.
How had her life turned out like this?
That night when she left home, besides a hotel, she had no other options.
Even if she died quietly somewhere outside, no one would know, would they?
"Time to eat." Caspian reminded her.
Gloria snapped back to reality, washed her hands, and walked into the kitchen to see if there was anything she could help with.
He had actually made a whole table of decent home-cooked dishes. For someone like Caspian to cook for her—Gloria wouldn't have dared to imagine this a few years ago.
After all, those supporting actresses had tried every trick to get close to Caspian back then. He was naturally cold and aloof, and brushing them off was his usual response.
Over the years, Gloria had grown accustomed to all kinds of fine cuisine. Actually, she liked Mexican food—heavy on oil and spice, especially things like barbecue that had that smoky, homey feel.
The dishes on the table were all Mexican food she liked.
Tacos, Menudo, Carne Asada, and two vegetable dishes.
"Did you really make all this?" She was dumbfounded.
"Doesn't look like it?" He handed her the utensils.
Gloria picked up a piece of grilled beef. "Not really. This tastes exactly like that restaurant we went to locally back then. How did you make it?"
"Just threw it together."
Caspian got up and walked to the wine cabinet. "Want some wine?"
Gloria shook her head. "Help yourself, don't worry about me. I can't drink."
He took out a bottle of red wine and wiped the bottle with a towel. "Why? Afraid your husband would mind?"
Gloria buried her head in the grilled beef and answered casually, "It has nothing to do with him. I'm pregnant."
Caspian's hand holding the corkscrew froze.