Chapter 70
Kane stood nearby and suddenly asked, "Do you want me to go with you, Sonya?"
I paused, turned to look at him, thought for a moment, then gently shook my head. "You have a lot to deal with every day. I can go by myself."
Kane reached out and gently stroked my hair, his tone very gentle. "If you need me to, I'll be there with you."
I tilted my head, leaning closer into his palm, and said with a smile, "You can't be by my side all the time, right? It's okay, I can handle these situations."
That's what I said, but I wasn't really sure in my heart.
Going back to that place meant facing the hurt I'd experienced in the past.
I didn't know if I really had the courage.
A shadow of darkness flashed in my eyes. I didn't notice Kane watching me at that moment, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
I looked again at the invitation I'd placed beside me—it was for Aunt Sophie's birthday.
She felt she was getting old and didn't know how much longer she'd be around.
So she wanted to take advantage of her birthday to gather everyone who used to live together and have a lively celebration.
I thought about it and remembered that Sophie used to love raising rabbits.
Maybe I could prepare a gift related to that.
I turned to Kane and said, "I want to go out and buy a gift for Sophie."
Kane nodded in agreement. "Of course, that's your right."
I smiled, stood on my tiptoes, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Kane's gaze suddenly became intense as he looked at me.
I felt a bit embarrassed and stepped back, wanting to leave.
But Kane, as if knowing my intention, reached out first to wrap his arm around my waist, saying with a laugh in his voice, "Just one kiss?"
With that, his lips were on mine.
My tongue was teased by his, and I couldn't help but moan. The whole room filled with wet, sticky sounds.
It wasn't until my brain was a bit oxygen-deprived that Kane released me.
He licked his saliva-covered lips and nodded with satisfaction.
"Your kissing is pretty inexperienced, which proves I'm the only one who's kissed you, right?"
My face turned red, and I couldn't help but look away, only to see Athena standing nearby, motionless.
Oh my god, I'd forgotten Athena was still there—she must have seen everything!
My face burned terribly. Without answering Kane's question, I turned and ran off.
Watching my retreating figure, Kane's smile deepened.
Only after I disappeared did Kane turn his head and say to Athena, "Stay by her side and protect her well."
Athena nodded lightly, indicating she understood.
I changed into clothes that were easier to move in and headed with Nina to the shops in the city center.
I remembered there was a place that specialized in selling rabbit dolls. The rabbits there were lifelike, just expensive.
I'd once glanced inside when passing by, and the long string of zeros on the price tags had made my heart skip a beat.
But now I could afford it.
As I was about to walk into the store, Nina gently tugged at my clothes.
She pointed at the saleswoman in the store and asked in a low voice, "Don't you think that person looks kind of familiar?"
I squinted and looked in the direction she was pointing.
The cashier appeared to be in her early thirties, a middle-aged woman with dyed hair.
She did look somewhat familiar, but I couldn't remember where I'd seen her.
But I'd done a lot of different jobs and met many people—maybe I'd encountered her somewhere.
I shrugged at Nina and said with a smile, "It's fine, maybe I've just seen her somewhere. Let's go in."
I walked into the store, and the automatic greeting toy at the entrance chirped a cheerful "welcome."
The woman who'd been listlessly counting change at the register suddenly brightened and looked up.
She gave me a polite smile, but her gaze turned cold the moment she saw me, then took on a mocking edge.
"Well, if it isn't Sonya? Haven't seen you in a few days—where'd you make some money?"
Looking at the woman's mean face, an image flashed through my mind.
I remembered—this was Luca's sister.
Many years ago, when my mother was still alive, she'd come to the house looking for Luca.
Luca, as her brother, was completely irresponsible. On the day she came of age, he'd forcibly married her off to a man twenty years older than her.
I'd heard her life there was terrible.
That time, she came looking for Luca, it was because her husband had abused her, and she wanted help, but Luca didn't help her at all.
Instead, he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back to her husband.
My mother, worried something might happen, had followed with me in her arms.
I saw Luca throw her at her doorstep and say to the burly man, "I brought her back for you. You should pay me something for that."
The man unceremoniously chased Luca away.
Luca spat viciously on the ground, his eyes dark as he said, "Useless waste. Got married and doesn't even know how to send me some money."
I still remember the pain and disbelief in my mother's eyes at that moment.
That was one of the few memories I had of seeing Luca's sister.
She came a few more times after that, but Luca was never home.
I hadn't really talked to her much, but she seemed to particularly target me, always making snide remarks.
She'd say I was a parasite on the family, doing nothing but eating at home.
Running into her again today, my mind went blank for a moment, and I almost forgot her name.
If I remembered correctly, she was called Odile.
Odile crossed her arms and walked up to me with a disgusted expression, looking me up and down before sneering.
"The clothes you're wearing don't cost more than fifty bucks total. Are you sure you're qualified to shop here?"
The contempt in her tone brought me back to my senses.
I looked at her calmly and said flatly, "I'm here to pick out a gift for my friend."
Odile laughed as if she'd heard a joke, clutching her stomach.
"You think you can buy things here? Do you know that even the keychain next to you costs three hundred bucks?"
I was a bit shocked. I knew things here were expensive, but I hadn't expected them to be this expensive.
A plain-looking keychain actually cost three hundred dollars.
Probably seeing the surprise in my eyes, Odile's gaze filled with scorn and disgust.
She impatiently waved her hand at me. "Stop blocking my business here. Get lost!"
Seeing her hand almost hit my face, Nina immediately stepped forward to take my arm and shield me.
Nina glared at Odile and asked, "Do you know what her status is now?"
Odile rolled her eyes dramatically and said with a cold laugh, "An orphan from the slums, what else could she be?"
Nina immediately wanted to tell her who my husband was, but I tugged at her sleeve and gently shook my head.
I didn't want to bring unnecessary trouble on myself.
Luca was a leech I couldn't shake off, and Odile probably wasn't much better.
If she found out about my relationship with Kane now, I might end up with one more person sucking my blood.