Chapter 80 Revenge on the Scumbag! James, Do You Want Me?
Although she had gotten everything back and thoroughly vented her anger, Gloria felt no joy at all.
Maria was right about one thing - James was the one who started all this trouble.
The marriage had become such a complete disaster that she felt physically and mentally exhausted.
Now that Maria was dealt with, she still had to keep up the act to send Vivienne away.
James kept glancing at Gloria's face from the corner of his eye. "Gloria, I'm sorry. I was possessed, I shouldn't have gotten involved with her."
Gloria looked at the scenery flashing by outside the window, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
What good were apologies? Everything was already set in stone.
She didn't respond, just leaned against the car door to rest for a bit.
When the car arrived home, James unbuckled her seatbelt and softened his voice, whispering in her ear: "Gloria, let me carry you to bed."
When his hands touched her body, Gloria's instinct was to refuse.
James had left too deep a psychological shadow on her - the moment he got close, she immediately became alert.
She forced her body to relax, didn't refuse his princess carry, and even deliberately pressed her face against his chest and nuzzled it, mumbling: "Honey."
James's body clearly tensed for a moment. She could hear his heart pounding wildly.
Excited? Thrilled?
Wonder if you'll be this thrilled when you see the miscarriage report.
Vivienne was already awake. James explained in a low voice: "Gloria fell asleep in the car."
She nodded without disturbing Gloria.
James returned to the bedroom and carefully placed Gloria on the bed. Gloria grabbed his clothes and wouldn't let go, so James lay down beside her.
He pulled a blanket over her. Gloria nestled in his arms, clinging to him like she used to, murmuring softly: "James."
James was overjoyed and reached around to hold Gloria's waist.
He rested his chin on her hair, only able to humbly and carefully kiss her hair, calling her name with deep affection: "Honey, I'm sorry."
He didn't know that Gloria in his arms had silently opened her eyes.
Facing James's familiar scent, she felt both heartbroken and sad.
So this was what real goodbye looked like - not dramatic and loud, but quietly leaving one morning when he still thought she loved him deeply.
The two slept in each other's arms. By the time Gloria woke up in the afternoon, he had already gone downstairs to cook.
Looking at the empty room, she felt somewhat lost.
But when she went downstairs, she had already adjusted her expression.
During the meal, she not only accepted the food James served her but also took the initiative to serve him some of his favorites.
James peeled each shrimp and brought it to her mouth. Gloria ate a little.
Fortunately, her stomach cooperated. She had eaten some anti-nausea candy before the meal and managed not to show any signs.
After finishing the meal, she went to the bathroom and threw up everything she'd eaten.
She rinsed her mouth, looking at her pale face in the mirror. Soon all this suffering would end.
Gloria didn't rush things and risk exposing herself.
When James's vacation was over, before he came home from work, she went to the flower room to pick flowers, deliberately standing in the yard looking out.
Vivienne laughed: "You're clearly worried about him, probably thinking about James all day, but you insist on being stubborn and saying you won't forgive him. You're the most stubborn one!"
Gloria held the flowers with a shy face: "I wasn't waiting for him!"
She ran off after saying this. Vivienne smiled knowingly. Just then James's car pulled in. He had recently canceled all social engagements, looking forward to coming home early every day.
As he entered the yard, he saw Gloria peeking from the living room. Their eyes met, and Gloria immediately turned around, her back showing all the panic of being caught.
He walked into the house in the sunset glow. So this was how good it felt to be waited for.
What he wanted wasn't an heir, but a home with Gloria.
"Grandma, it's cold outside. Let's go in, don't catch a chill."
"Not cold. I just came out for some fresh air, unlike certain people who say one thing and mean another, who've been waiting for you outside for half an hour."
James's heart leaped with joy as he hurried toward Gloria.
He grabbed Gloria just as she was about to leave and pulled her into his arms.
"Let go!"
"Gloria, were you waiting for me?"
"I wasn't. I was just picking flowers."
James bent down and kissed her. Gloria didn't push him away.
She knew Vivienne was about to come in.
Her small hands pressed against their chests in a symbolic struggle, then she took the initiative to wrap her arms around James's neck, deepening the kiss.
Feeling her initiative, James could barely contain his excitement.
He looked down at Gloria in the sunlight - her skin was delicate, he could even clearly see the fine downy hair, as tender as a baby's.
Her long lashes trembled lightly, so obedient, yet so alluring.
The flowers in her arms scattered to the ground, falling around their feet.
Even though the beast deep inside him wanted nothing more than to devour her right now, thinking of the psychological trauma he'd caused her before.
He didn't dare indulge, didn't dare lose control.
He could only taste briefly, reluctantly separating from Gloria.
Their eyes met, filled with intense desire.
Vivienne cleared her throat lightly, and Gloria snapped out of it and pushed him away.
James said softly: "Sorry."
He crouched down to pick up the flowers from the ground.
Gloria looked embarrassed: "Grandma, you saw that?"
"I've been through it all, I understand. I think I'm actually in the way here."
Gloria took her arm, retreating to advance: "Don't talk nonsense. With you at home, I have company. You're not allowed to live separately. I won't feel at ease."
"You two lovebirds are so sweet at home, I'm just a third wheel. I think..."
Gloria glanced at James, who had taken off his coat and gone to the kitchen to cook, then helped Vivienne to her room.
"Grandma, I really can't rest easy with you leaving alone, unless you go to a nursing home."
"What nursing home? Just get me a maid. I'm used to living alone in the suburbs."
"The suburbs are so far away. If you hadn't collapsed at the hospital this time and gotten immediate treatment, the doctor said if it had been delayed any longer, you wouldn't have made it. You're my only family. Do you really want me worrying about you every day? If so, then stay living with us. At least I can see you every day."
Seeing Gloria getting upset, Vivienne had to change her tune: "Okay, I'll go to a nursing home then."
She saw Gloria and James's relationship gradually healing and felt happy, understanding that her presence was actually getting in the way. She just wanted to leave quickly to give them more space, so she agreed to Gloria's condition.
"Then it's settled. I'll find you a nursing home with good medical facilities."
"Okay, whatever you say."
Getting a definite answer, Gloria breathed a sigh of relief.
The second plan was almost complete.
After Vivienne left, she could go for the abortion.
The time for her departure was getting closer and closer.
Of course, before leaving, she still had to give James a big gift.
Night fell.
James had bathed early, thinking about that afternoon kiss, which had been on his mind.
He wondered if he'd misunderstood. During dinner, Gloria had lightly scratched his palm under the table.
So much so that James's mind was elsewhere while washing dishes.
It had been almost two months since he and Gloria had made love.
He missed those days abroad when they were intimate and close.
When he opened the door and came out, he saw that Gloria wasn't wearing the pure cotton long-sleeved pajamas she'd worn the previous nights.
She had changed into a pink silk nightgown with a thin robe over it. The ties accentuated her slender waist, and her long, straight legs were bare.
James's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice husky: "Gloria, what's this?"
Gloria took the initiative to wrap her arms around his waist, looking up at him with her small face. "Can't you tell what I mean? Or do you prefer Maria?"
James fiercely pulled her in for a kiss. Gloria, whom he hadn't touched in so long - once he did, it was like dry kindling meeting fire, so passionate and intense.
Gloria's body was pressed against the wall. Just as he was about to lift her skirt, she pressed down on his hand.
James had finally gotten her back and didn't dare act rashly again.
When she wanted to stop, he forced himself to suppress his anxious feelings and stopped.
He held her tightly in his arms, their two hearts pressed together, beating violently, deafeningly loud.
He bent down, burying his head in her neck, his hoarse voice filled with endless bitterness: "Gloria, you've finally come back."
Gloria raised her hand to gently stroke his face.
Fool, I'm not coming back - I'm leaving.
The light fell on her face, making her look especially gentle. The way she looked at him was full of tenderness and sweetness.
She raised her hand to stroke his face, tilting her head and asking softly: "James, do you want me?"
James held her slender waist, feeling like Gloria in his arms was as soft as cotton candy.
He suppressed his excitement, his dark gaze meeting her bright eyes, like a puppet whose soul had been taken by a siren, saying dumbly: "Yes."
More than wanting - he was going crazy with wanting.
Gloria bit her lip. "But I haven't bathed yet. Why don't you join me, okay?"
James's voice went hoarse: "Okay."
Gloria hooked his hand and led him to the bathroom.
This time James learned his lesson and immediately turned on the heating. The two stepped into the double bathtub one after the other.
Gloria turned on the faucet and straddled James's waist. Her gaze was suddenly drawn to something outside the window.
"James, look, it's snowing."
James followed her gaze out the window. Sure enough, white snow was falling under the streetlights.
"Yes."
Gloria wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling as pure and clean as an angel. "But whenever I see snowflakes, I think of that night."
"Gloria, I'm sorry." His eyes were full of guilt. "I swear I'll never treat you like that again."
Gloria shook her head at him. "James, the best way to apologize isn't saying sorry, but putting yourself in my shoes and walking the path I walked. Only then will you truly understand my pain."
James understood what she meant. "Gloria, however you want to punish me, I accept."
"Really?"
Gloria's slender fingers removed the silk tie from her nightgown under his gaze.
Gloria played with the tie in her hand and smiled: "Tie you up, and you'd be willing?"
Even if she wanted his life, he'd give it.
"Willing."
Gloria laughed softly. "James, so obedient."
The next second, she used the tie to secure him between the two faucets.
She was even afraid it would come loose, which is why she chose such a long "weapon" - the belt - tying him up tightly.
When she finished, Gloria met those eyes that were infatuated with her.
She bent down to look at James, her red lips gradually descending.
James's exposed Adam's apple moved unconsciously, his heart beating faster and faster.
She murmured softly: "James is so obedient, there's a reward."
His voice was already hoarse: "What reward?"
Gloria moved away and stood up, opening the window a crack. Instantly, the wind and snow from outside poured in.
Pulling James's rationality back to reality.
Gloria stepped out of the bathtub, looking down at James. Her eyes no longer held any desire, only coldness. Her voice was indifferent: "James, feel my pain properly."
With her back to him, she turned off the heating and even turned off the bathroom light.
The room instantly plunged into darkness.
James suddenly realized - she hadn't forgiven him at all!
Gloria had been acting all along!
What was she trying to do? Something was wrong with Gloria. What was she planning?
James started to panic. He urgently called out: "Gloria, what are you doing?"
"Gloria, come back."