After that day, I went to Kyoto to see the flowers and to Hokkaido to enjoy the snow.
I wandered around for a while and didn’t return for three months. When I entered the house, a strong smell of alcohol greeted me.
The house was in disarray, far from its usual luxurious appearance. Julian sat on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles, his beard unkempt and his face pale and thin.
He looked up, startled, and staggered toward me, grasping my hand as if to confirm something: "Is it really you? Am I dreaming?"
He dragged me closer and gripped my shoulders: "Where have you been for three whole months without a word? You don't answer my phone either."
"Oh, I went traveling."
"You couldn't have mentioned it? I thought... I thought..."
"Julian, you've never informed me about your whereabouts."
You never told me whether you'd be home for meals. Mobile phone was nothing more than a decoration to you.
If Evelyn sent ten messages to you, she'd be lucky to receive a vague response. He would neglect her for days or even weeks, then return suddenly and complain about the lack of delicious food.
He wanted her to suffer, as his form of punishment. Isn’t that what you wanted from marriage? You must endure it then. My attitude is the same. You would pay what you sowed.
Julian's expression sobered gradually, and he asked softly, "...are you getting revenge from me?"
"Is that something that needs pondering?" I scoffed, "It took you three months to figure that out, you brainiac ? Did the fake booze dull your brain?"
Julian closed his eyes, his eyelashes trembling: "Evelyn, I..."
"Evelyn, is this your house? It's impressive!" My travel companion entered, carrying luggage, taken aback upon seeing Julian, "Who is this...?"
I had no intention of making introductions: "Carry the suitcase upstairs, please. I can't handle it."
The young and handsome companion glanced at Julian, his expression questioning, 'Is this really okay?'
"Who is he?" Julian's gaze shifted to me.
"He's a travel companion I hired."
"You spent these three months gallivanting with him?!"
"I just needed a Japanese-speaking guide. He was the most expensive, the best service available. Why wouldn't I choose someone young, handsome, and articulate, instead of someone who can barely articulate a thought like you? Besides, what do you mean by 'gallivanting'? I think you, Mr. Mercer, would know that better than I."
The companion quickly took the suitcase upstairs, eager to avoid the conflict.
I took a shower, and when I came out, Julian pulled me onto the bed.
His eyes red, he asked, "Evelyn, did he touch you?"
I nearly laughed. What right do you have to ask that?
After a tense standoff, I thought he was going to strike me, but instead, he kissed me.
It was a trembling, cautious kiss that grew intense and passionate.
I could sense an uncontrollable desire.
"I'm pregnant." I turned my head away in disgust. "Leave."
"I am your husband!" he erupted. "You can sleep with anyone yet refuse me?"
"Husband? You know exactly what our marriage was for these years." He paused, breathing hard, then muttered, "I haven't gone back to my mother's."
"She wanted Merlin to work at the company, I refused."
"I've been home waiting for you these three months."
"You didn’t answer any calls or reply to any messages…"
"What are you trying to say?" I asked, losing patience.
His eyelashes dampened.
He bowed his head and pressed his lips to my neck.
His kisses, initially restrained, grew desperate.
"I've missed you…" he whispered softly, as if confessing in a dream. "…it’s been so long…"
His grip was strong, his body feverishly hot, as he began tearing at my clothes.
I calmly pushed him back: "Wait, let me get a condom."
He settled down and sat up.
I reached into my nightstand, pulled out a stun gun, and shocked him with it.
It was set to the highest level; he convulsed and fell from the bed.
It took me considerable effort to drag him into the living room and tie him to a chair.
"I said I'm pregnant."
Evelyn had suffered two miscarriages for him.
Her health was fragile.
I was very careful.
I grabbed his belt and struck his face hard:
"What am I to you, a means for release? You want, so I must give?"
"I'm just holding my own wife, what’s wrong with that?"
"You've held more than just your wife."
"I have no other women now…"
I slapped him hard: "Why only now? You think you can just move on?"
"Evelyn! My affairs were just for appearances! You forced me into this marriage, and everyone calls me a dependent husband!" He cried out, his face covered in blood and tears.
I was so angry I hit him again: "Aren't you exactly that?"
"Aren't you, Julian, the kept husband of the Frost family?"
With each accusation, I struck him, leaving Julian stunned: "…do you really see me that way?" I continued, "I gave you money. I saved your mother's life. I handed you the company—what haven’t you taken from me while pretending to be noble?"
Julian collapsed: "You always said you loved me! You claimed your feelings were genuine! Now I'm just a toy you bought?"
"Yes, what else? Are you worthy of my true love?" I unbuttoned my shirt, rolled up my sleeves, and paced, "When I liked you, you played hard to get; fine. You didn't want to be a kept husband, there are plenty who would. You're getting old, I'm bored of you. There are plenty of fresh, obedient, young guys out there. If you can't handle it, then leave. I'm very reasonable; I never force anyone."
I called Charlotte to have his boss picked up.
Send him back to his mother.
She thinks her son is the best in the world; surely she'll cherish him.
