Bella’s heart felt like it wanted to leap out of its place. When she turned around, she found Julia’s figure, who suddenly entered Edward’s room.
Fortunately, the fairly long kiss Edward planted on Bella’s lips had already ended. Now, all that was left was to prepare to hide Bella’s face, which he believed was blushing with embarrassment. Hoping that Julia wouldn’t suspect or bombard him with a lot of questions.
“Julia?”
There was a hint of surprise in Edward’s words. The man turned. He stared at Julia with meaningful eyes.
“Why are you here?”
Julia burst into laughter. She shrugged off the blazer wrapped around her body, now only wearing a tank top that made her look so sexy.
“Darling… are you kidding? How could you even ask why I’m here?”
“I clearly asked,” Edward replied. Sitting on the sofa, he continued to gaze at his wife who was now standing right beside him. “Didn’t you yourself say you were going back to London next month?”
Julia nodded. She didn’t deny it. According to schedule, by the beginning of the month, all the work would be finished, and she could only return to London then.
“Yes, that’s true. However, Samuel contacted me and said that you’ve been sick for almost a week. That’s why I was worried and decided to come back early.” Then, folding her arms in front of her chest, Julia turned her face away. One of her eyebrows raised high. “Actually, I should be the one asking, why is Bella in our room so late at night?”
Bella coughed. Now, she was the one feeling anxious, afraid that Julia would suspect and ask all sorts of questions. Even though she had prayed in her heart that the woman wouldn’t pay attention to her presence. Or perhaps Julia had seen what she and Edward had done earlier?
“Bella is here because she’s replacing Brigitta’s duty to bring the warm tea I ordered to take medicine.”
Edward casually answered the question Julia posed. Keeping his composure, he appeared calm. He didn’t let his wife suspect.
However, a while ago, Edward had just done something crazy. He had been carried away to the point of deliberately kissing Bella.
“Is that right, Bella?” Julia confirmed. She stared into Bella’s eyes for a long time.
“Yes, ma’am.” Besides, Bella wasn’t lying. Originally, she came to Edward’s room because she had to deliver the drink he ordered. “I’m sorry if I was too forward. I came here to deliver the drink Mr. Edward ordered.”
Julia just nodded. She seemed reluctant to prolong the issue, ignoring the previous question.
“Well, in that case. You can leave now. Besides, it’s already late. I don’t want your pregnancy and the health of the unborn baby in your belly to be disturbed because you’re staying up late.”
Without hesitation, Bella hurriedly left and then went into her own room. Holding her chest. She tried to control her breathing, then shortly after, touched her lips which had been greedily kissed by Edward.
“For heaven’s sake, you almost got attacked by a Lion, Bella.”
Bella’s heartbeats still felt like they were chasing each other. For heaven’s sake, if this continued, she could have a heart attack.
Meanwhile, in her room, Julia, who had finished changing clothes, chose to sit in front of the dressing table and clean her face. Edward, on the other hand, had moved from the sofa to lying on the bed.
“You look very tired, honey,” Julia said, wiping her face with toner. “If the illness you’re experiencing doesn’t improve, what if we go to the hospital tomorrow?”
“No need,” Edward shook his head. From the beginning, he had been reluctant to be hospitalized. He thought it was the same. If he was just told to rest completely and eat nutritious food, he could do that at home.
“But you really look pale. I’ve never seen you this sick before.”
“Maybe because I’m just tired. But believe me, I’m fine.”
Julia smiled. After using her skincare routine, she walked over to Edward. Crawling onto the bed and slipping under the covers beside him.
“I miss you, Ed.”
Julia hugged Edward from behind. Pressing her pointed nose against the nape of her husband’s neck, she sniffed the sweet scent emanating from his body.
Even Julia seemed to slip her hand under Edward’s shirt. Gently stroking his chest, then squeezing it softly as if deliberately teasing.
“Julia….”
With his back turned, Edward whispered softly as he reached for Julia’s wrist, which was wandering around. Pulling it out, then pushing it away as if he didn’t like it.
“Why?” Julia looked puzzled.
“I just don’t feel like doing anything right now.”
Julia immediately sighed. This was the first time Edward had refused her affection. Usually, Edward would always reciprocate. Even, he would immediately become aggressive if Julia tried to make love to him.
“Don’t you miss me?”
“Julia… I’m tired.”
“I know,” Julia replied quickly. “But we haven’t seen each other for a very long time. I miss your hugs and kisses. Aren’t you the one who always teases me every night and before bed?”
Julia took a deep breath. She realized Edward might still be upset because she had been abroad for too long.
“I know you must still feel upset and angry. But, you also know that what I’m doing is for the sake of professionalism.”
Julia hugged Edward tightly from behind again. She kissed the back of his neck wetly, then whispered mischievously.
“I miss you, darling. I miss your warm touch. Don’t you want to make love to me?”
Then, Julia straightened her body. Pulling Edward to change positions, she was annoyed to find that her husband had already fallen into a deep sleep from the effects of the medicine he had taken.
***
Five days seemed to be enough time for Edward to rest. Today, after a long break, he intended to travel abroad for a business trip that had previously been postponed.
Axel and Kairos had already visited Edward’s house. The three of them planned to leave together to survey the location where a mall, hotel, and apartments would be built.
“How long will you be gone to Switzerland this time?”
Sipping warm milk from his glass, Julia asked, making sure how long her husband would be away.
“About two or three days. Why? Do you want to come?”
Julia shook her head.
“I really want to go with you. But, you know yourself that tomorrow is Bella’s scheduled doctor’s appointment. It’s been a long time since I’ve checked her condition in person.”
“Ah, excuses.”
Kairos chimed in. He, who was also in the dining room with Edward and Alex, without needing to be invited to join, gave his opinion. And this immediately elicited a reaction from Julia.
“Kairos… what do you mean by saying that? And it seems from the beginning you clearly dislike me.”
Kairos nodded.
“From the beginning, I didn’t like you. Moreover, your reason is quite cliché.”
“What do you mean?”
Kairos chuckled.
“As Far as I know, Bella has an assistant ready to take care of all her needs at any time, right? Besides, there’s Samuel who can control Bella’s condition as well.”
Among Edward’s close friends, only Samuel and Kairos knew about the IVF process the couple was undergoing. Even Edward’s parents were unaware of this issue.
As a condition for agreeing to have a child and undergo the IVF program, Julia intentionally asked Edward not to announce this to the public. Besides maintaining privacy, Julia didn’t want to arouse speculation or be seen as a selfish woman.
“If you really intend to accompany Edward, you shouldn’t need many excuses. Unless, during his absence, you already have other plans.”
Julia became more puzzled by Kairos’s words. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Plans? What plans?”
“Meeting another man, for example.”
“Edward…” Julia sounded whiny. “Look at what your friend accuses me of. How dare he suggest that I—”
“Enough, Julia.” Edward interrupted the woman beside him. “I have to go. If you don’t want to come, it’s fine.”
Julia pouted.
“It seems like this time I can’t. But, next time I promise to go wherever you go.”
As Edward got up and prepared to leave, Julia followed suit. Hugging him, she intended to kiss him.
However, before her lips could land, Edward gently pushed Julia away. Covering his nose and mouth with his palm, Edward hurried to the sink and appeared to vomit.
“Ed… are you okay?”
Julia wanted to approach, but Edward signaled for his wife not to come near him.
“No need.”
“Why?” Julia asked, confused.
“Edward doesn’t want to be approached, probably because of your body odor,” Kairos quipped, laughing heartily. He seemed quite pleased to see Julia’s confusion mixed with embarrassment.
“You—”
“I just don’t like the scent of perfume you’re wearing, Julia,” Edward interjected. “I feel nauseous and want to vomit.”
“Oh my, Ed. Isn’t this the perfume I usually wear? How could you suddenly not like it?”
“I just don’t like the body odor—” Realizing he misspoke, Edward quickly corrected himself. “Ah, I mean the scent of the perfume you’re wearing. Anyway, I’m leaving. No need for hugs or kisses. I’ll let you know when I arrive in Switzerland.”
Edward left. He left Julia alone. Meanwhile, Kairos seemed thoroughly amused watching Julia unable to do anything.