Jaquan squinted at her.
It was a statement.
“I guess he left Paucaster Villa last night and went straight to your Sky Pavilion,” Callie said, her expression becoming intriguing as she propped her face with one hand. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have brought me here today.”
Jaquan looked at her seriously for a moment, then sneered, “Couldn’t it be that I just happened to run into you at the hospital and couldn’t stand your lovey-dovey act, so I came to ruin it?”
Callie’s smile gradually faded.
Jaquan said, “Oh, am I not that kind of person in your eyes?”
“What did Shamar tell you? Let me guess, he pledged his loyalty to you?” Callie retorted.
Jaquan’s expression also turned serious. “He didn’t say anything.”
Callie didn’t believe him.
“Dragging his sick body to my turf without saying a word, just by his presence, I could guess most of it.”
That was the truth.
“Come on, he’s just a pawn in this game of interests. Jaquan, don’t use him,” Callie said earnestly.
The dappled sunlight through the trees fell on her serious face, and Jaquan’s heart was hooked. He caressed her face with one hand. “Are you begging me?”
Callie tried to avoid his touch but was restrained by his grip on her cheeks.
“You were once a pawn too, and you’re not doing badly now,” Jaquan said, almost obsessively feeling her soft skin.
“I’m different from him.”
“How so?” Jaquan quickly responded.
Callie endured his force, unable to break free. “Shamar is an ambitious young man who just needs a good opportunity. He shouldn’t be used.”
“He’s already obsessed; it’s not something you can talk him out of.”
“Jaquan…”
“Are you begging me? If you’re begging, you should act like it. Anyway, Nelson has left Ylosea. How about this, Callie, be my lover.”
As Jaquan spoke, his smile widened, genuine joy in his eyes.
But to Callie, his smile was terrifying. She raised her hand abruptly and slapped him hard. “Jaquan, do you know what you’re saying!”
Lover. How could he even say that? Jaquan took the slap but didn’t repent. Instead, the image of her and Nelson being intimate in the hospital room burned in his mind, fueling his anger. The veins on the back of his hand throbbed violently.
“Be my lover. I can give you money and information. When Nelson is not around, you can come to me. This request isn’t excessive.” Jaquan’s grip reddened her face as he disregarded all ethics and morals.
Callie was furious, almost wanting to slap him again. “Let me out of the car! I want to get out!”
“Callie! Why are you in such a hurry? Maybe when you weren’t aware, Nelson and Marilyn made similar arrangements. In the end, only you and I are the fools. Don’t you feel cheated?” Jaquan raised his voice.
“Stop talking nonsense! He wouldn’t!” Callie almost screamed, feeling her marriage being slandered. She pressed her hands firmly against herself, fearing he would cross the line.
“Stop the car! Did you hear me?” she shouted at the driver.
The driver, unsure of the situation, glanced at Jaquan’s livid face. Jaquan seemed to regain some sanity and gradually released Callie.
The driver stopped the car.
“Jaquan, I don’t have time for your perverted wife-swapping games. If you’re dissatisfied with Marilyn, don’t drag me down with you.” Callie grabbed her bag and got out of the car after throwing that statement at him. “Disgusting!”