Chapter 14 Licking Wounds
In the apartment, Jack and Leah were probably already asleep.
She couldn't go back because she wasn't anyone special to him.
Standing for so long made her tired, so she curled up in the corner of the rooftop, letting the cool night air seep into her skin, her heart as cold as ice.
She tried to sleep, telling herself not to be affected by Jack. After all, from the moment she decided to see him, she had considered all the possibilities.
But she still couldn't sleep. Whether her eyes were open or closed, all she could think about was the tenderness and care Jack had shown her over the past few weeks.
She couldn't believe any of it.
But she also didn't have the courage to go back to the apartment to confirm what had happened there.
So, she spent the most agonizing night of her life counting the stars.
As the sky began to lighten and the world slowly woke up, the sounds of the city started to fill her ears.
She hadn't slept at all, feeling everything around her.
Maybe things weren't that bad.
She should go back.
Because when she stood up, she saw the busy traffic of T City.
By now, Jack should have already gone to work.
Once he and Leah left, she would return to the apartment.
In a few days, she would be able to leave him for good.
She walked down the stairs step by step, the cold stone steps making her feel especially awake.
The cactus flowers were blooming beautifully, one after another, looking particularly lovely to her.
She bent down and took the key from under the flowerpot.
She slowly inserted the key into the lock, having the whole day to process what had happened last night.
She had a lot of free time now, but being idle wasn't good; it made her overthink.
The door opened, and the dining table was a mess. Jack had indeed left it for her, the "maid," to clean up.
She quietly walked towards the bedroom, wanting to take a hot shower and drink some warm water. She hadn't eaten anything last night and was now starving.
But as she entered the bedroom, an arm suddenly wrapped around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Jack whispered in her ear, "Emily, you're still so pathetic. Even if I make you a maid, you'll come back."
Everything seemed to return to the beginning, to the night he first insulted her.
She didn't understand why he had suddenly changed. She just looked up at him quietly, but his eyes were no longer gentle; they were filled with hatred and disgust.
"Jack, what happened?" she asked softly, her body trembling slightly, afraid to know the answer.
"Emily, how do you feel now?" he said, dragging her towards the bed without waiting for her response.
She felt terrible.
Pressing her lips together, she knew she couldn't break free from him; his strength was astonishing.
The sun was shining brightly outside, but her mood was as heavy as a cloudy day.
Her body was thrown onto the bed. Even though the bed was soft, she still felt the pain.
"Emily, why aren't you answering?" he asked coldly, his familiar face so close that if he lowered his head slightly, their noses would touch. "Tell me, why did you come back? What's your purpose?"
She shook her head, truly not knowing. The man had only let her stay in his apartment and hadn't asked her to do anything. Should she tell Jack that her only purpose in coming back was to be his humble woman?
"Emily, I don't believe you," he said coldly.
Her eyes were already filled with tears, not knowing what to do, looking at him helplessly, not knowing how to answer.
"You can cry? You left me so proudly, and now you act like I owe you something. Don't try to deceive me with your tears. Tell me, what's your real purpose in coming back?"
"Jack, I don't know what happened, but I really haven't done anything to wrong you." She wanted to tell him he should go to work, but she knew he had stayed on purpose to humiliate her.
"I just don't believe you. The strange thing is, I had someone follow you for three months, and you didn't contact anyone except me. But I know, the old you couldn't stand being lonely. Have you fallen for me again, willing to wait for me every day?"
"You... you followed me?" She widened her eyes, unable to believe his words. If this was true, then all his kindness before was just an act?
Were those days all fake?
"Emily, I just wanted you to taste what it's like to be played with and abandoned. How could I be kind to you? I hate you too much for that. Now, you're just a toy to me."
"You..." She was too shocked to speak, unable to believe that all his kindness towards her had been an act, and such a convincing one that she had unknowingly let her guard down.
"Emily, if you don't tell me your purpose for coming back, and if you just want to give me your body, then don't blame me for being ruthless." He lowered his head, his lips lightly touching hers, speaking harshly, "I want to see if you perform better or if Leah does."
Before she could process his words, his kiss aggressively claimed her mouth.
There was no gentleness, just a harsh bite, his teeth making her lips and tongue hurt.
Emily was startled, trying to pull away, but Jack's arms held her tightly, making it impossible to move.
He lifted his head, staring intently at her small face, his gaze as if he wanted to devour her whole.
"Emily, I hate you." He said these six words through gritted teeth.
Emily, what did you do to Jack?
Emily had never asked Jack.
The hatred in his eyes scared her, making her heart pound, and she just wanted to close her eyes and not see him.
But as soon as she closed her eyes, he leaned close to her ear and said, "What, you don't even dare to look at me?"
Emily shivered, the man in front of her becoming so unfamiliar, making her heart race with fear.
Forcing herself to open her eyes again, the man in front of her looked like a dangerous beast, making her tremble even more.
She never expected that all his previous gentleness was just an act.
He was very skilled and unique.
She had always guarded against him, but still couldn't prevent this.
In fact, she had long since let her guard down around him.
But unexpectedly, this had only harmed herself.
Seeing her not speaking, he suddenly yanked her long hair, mercilessly pulling her head back, forcing her face towards the floral bedspread.