For over a month now, Bella has been feeling more irritated and frustrated. Just imagine, Julia, who usually travels a lot for shows either out of town or abroad, seems to be enjoying her time in London.
What’s more, when Brigitta or Bella would usually cook every morning, for the past month Julia has taken over all of Edward’s needs. She prepares his meals and accompanies the handsome man for breakfast. She even chooses to leave the house 30 minutes after Edward goes to work. And unfortunately, Julia always comes home earlier before Edward arrives.
In such situations, Bella feels completely powerless. Forget about expressing longing to sleep together or just hugging and kissing, they don’t even find a chance to chat briefly.
“Why do you look so annoyed?” Clara, who had been cleaning and tidying up Bella’s room, deliberately asked. Curious about what Bella might be thinking that her lips were pouting and her face was creased, exactly like someone feeling uneasy.
“I’m just annoyed, Clara.”
Clara, who had been sitting, stood up and approached Bella, who was sitting on the sofa at that moment.
“Annoyed? What’s making you so annoyed?”
Bella just sighed. She didn’t know if she really needed to tell Clara what she was feeling.
“If I may guess, is your annoyance related to Mrs. Julia?”
Bella immediately looked up and stared directly at her assistant. Once again, Clara could read what she was feeling and thinking at that moment.
“If you must know, Clara, I just feel strange about Mrs. Julia’s recent behavior.”
“Strange how?” Clara looked puzzled. Her forehead furrowed in response to Bella’s words. “Has she been doing something unusual?”
Bella nodded. She felt everything Julia had been doing lately was indeed unusual compared to before.
“I’m sure you’ve felt the same. Previously, when I first moved in here, Mrs. Julia seemed like someone who couldn’t stand being at home. She appeared so busy and often traveled out of town or abroad. And now? It’s been over a month, and she hasn’t gone anywhere.”
Clara nodded in understanding and then chuckled teasingly. She finally understood what had been bothering Bella all this time.
“Ah, so you’re annoyed because Mrs. Julia is at home? So you don’t have a chance to be with Mr. Edward?”
Bella knew this was ridiculous. Let others call her tactless. But she couldn’t deny that Julia’s presence truly disrupted the secret relationship she had with Edward. Just imagine, she had to restrain herself from even greeting each other. Hugging was out of the question.
“I know I shouldn’t say this. But, that’s the cause of the annoyance I feel. And almost every day, Mrs. Julia seems to deliberately display affection and intimacy between her and Mr. Edward in front of all of us.”
Bella wasn’t exaggerating. Not once had she seen Julia openly affectionate with Edward. Whether in the office, in front of the room, or even by the pool. And worse, Edward couldn’t refuse any form of intimacy Julia showed.
Almost every night, Bella had trouble sleeping thinking about what she saw. Always wondering in her heart, does Edward accept Julia’s invitation to make love while they’re in the room? Does Edward enjoy their lovemaking with Julia? Or perhaps, without Bella’s knowledge, Edward was the one who initiated making love with Julia.
Bella didn’t forget how Edward used to be so infatuated and so in love with Julia. This was what Bella feared. Afraid that Edward would feel comfortable with Julia again and just forget about her.
Damn!
“I’m annoyed, Clara. Even though Mrs. Julia’s status is his lawful wife, I can’t stand seeing them being affectionate again. Especially after what Mrs. Julia has been doing behind Mr. Edward’s back all this time. She’s a traitor who clearly deceived Mr. Edward.”
Bella grumbled. She couldn’t hide her annoyance any longer.
“Or… perhaps Mrs. Julia deliberately acts affectionate and behaves excessively because she knows the relationship between me and Mr. Edward?”
Clara quickly shook her head. Trying to calm her down, she rejected the negative thoughts Bella was feeling.
“No… I don’t think Mrs. Julia knows what your relationship with Mr. Edward is like. If she did know, she would have kicked you out from the beginning.”
“True,” Bella nodded.
“And, about the affectionate behavior Mrs. Julia is showing, personally, it seems like she’s intentionally doing this to win over Mr. Edward’s heart and sympathy while also trying to make amends for her past mistakes. Long before you two got involved, we all saw, Mr. Edward was often disappointed. And lately, he openly shows that he’s fed up and seems to deliberately avoid his wife, right? Maybe because of this, Mrs. Julia is trying to change.”
There’s some truth to Clara’s opinion. Perhaps Julia’s excessive behavior now is because she wants to regain Edward’s affection and sympathy. However, Bella is not willing to accept it.
For heaven’s sake, even though a sinner deserves a second chance, Bella won’t let Edward fall back into Julia’s arms. Bella thinks Edward deserves a better woman than Julia, who clearly betrayed him.
“Well, you don’t have to feel annoyed anymore,” Clara tried to comfort her. Nevertheless, she didn’t want Bella to remain upset, which could disturb her pregnancy. “If you two are meant to be together, eventually you will be. For now, just pray that Mrs. Julia gets work schedules out of town for days or weeks. So, you and Mr. Edward can spend time together again.”
Bella nodded, sincerely agreeing with what Clara conveyed to her. She longed so much to be affectionate and cuddly with Edward.
“I hope so too, Clara. Hopefully Mrs. Julia gets a show schedule soon. Especially next month, coinciding with my birthday. I just wish to celebrate that special day with Edward.”
“Oh, really? It’s your birthday?” Bella nodded. “On the 10th next month, it’s my birthday. I just wish I could celebrate it with someone I love.”
“I’ll pray that you can celebrate it with Mr. Edward. So, don’t be upset anymore. It’s better if you go to the kitchen now. Weren’t you planning to make some snacks earlier?”
Bella nodded. Together with Clara, she decided to head to the kitchen.
***
“How’s your household with Edward? Has it been peaceful so far?”
After the photoshoot, Julia invited Aaron to stop by at a coffee shop. As they relaxed, they engaged in conversation.
“What do you expect from my household with Edward? Of course, it’s safe, peaceful, and harmonious,” Julia replied with her characteristic laughter.
“Who knows, my suspicion about Edward being involved with Bella might be true.”
Julia still smiled. She didn’t seem upset or bothered at all. She appeared relaxed. Just like usual.
“Let me tell you, Aaron. Even if Edward does like Bella now, for heaven’s sake, I couldn’t care less.”
Aaron blinked. He was sure he didn’t mishear.
“Are you serious about what you just said?”
Julia nodded.
“I’ve said it before, I never loved Edward. I only need his wealth, popularity, and social status from his prominent family. That’s why, even if Edward likes another woman now, I genuinely don’t care.”
Aaron couldn’t believe it. What has been Julia’s mindset all this time?
“So, if Edward and Bella are truly in a relationship, you’ll just let it be?”
Julia laughed and shook her head.
“It’s not that simple.”
Aaron blinked. He carefully processed Julia’s words.
“Oh my, Julia. Please explain clearly. I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Here’s the thing, I truly don’t care if Edward truly likes Bella or any other woman. However, I won’t let them have a relationship, let alone replace my position as Edward Darkwood’s lawful wife. Never. I will never allow any woman to take away what I’ve gained all this time. That’s why, after you showed me the photo of Edward walking with Bella, I immediately took action. I deliberately tried to draw Edward back to my side.”
Aaron laughed. Julia, whom he thought was indifferent, was actually acting so determined, clever, and calculated. No wonder what that woman always dreamed of was always easy to achieve.
“You always surprise me, Julia.”
Julia put on a proud look. She’s used to being praised like this.
“Let me tell you, it’s because of this that my life has been like that of an ideal wife for the past month. I deliberately served Edward with all my heart. I tried not to take jobs outside the city or abroad to serve all his needs. I was determined to make Edward fall in love and be infatuated with me again. And I won’t give any chance to any woman to approach Edward as long as I’m by his side.”
“Fortunately, Santiago could collaborate with you for the past month.”
Julia agreed with a nod.
“You’re absolutely right. Luckily, Santiago is still in London. So, I can still respond to his calls and serve him without having to go far abroad.”
Aaron then leaned in. This time with a serious expression before he asked another question.
“But what if Santiago asks you to join him abroad later? Will you leave Edward just like that?”
Julia smiled meaningfully. She didn’t feel burdened at all.
“Don’t worry about it. Besides, I’ve anticipated this. I have my own way to protect what’s already mine.”
Aaron smiled along. Whatever Julia does, he’ll always support her. As long as he can have fun with Julia, he doesn’t care what that woman wants to do behind his back.