Chapter 118
She gave an awkward laugh. "No, Mr. Caldwell, you're quite the joker. My mom picked me up this morning. I've been recovering at home and forgot to tell you. I'm so sorry."
Jayce said, "Well, I accept your apology."
Victoria paused for a moment, completely forgetting to respond.
Jayce continued, "Don't die alone. It's lonely."
Victoria put her hand to her forehead. "I won't die. I'll live better than anyone else."
Jayce replied, "Good for you."
The air fell into a deathly silence.
Suddenly, her phone was snatched away. She looked up in surprise to see Henry's expressionless face.
"Why not hang up if you have nothing to talk about?"
He glanced at the phone and raised it to his ear. "Are you close with my wife?"
Jayce replied, "Quite close."
Henry chuckled. "You're honest."
Jayce said, "I've always been. You should treat me to dinner. I saved your wife's life."
"Sure!" Henry agreed. "If you need anything from her, you can just tell me directly."
Jayce was silent for a moment. "Why should I go through you if I need something from her? That's just an extra step."
Henry didn't seem to mind his attitude. He simply said, "Because she has a husband, you now."
Jayce fell silent. After a while, the call ended abruptly.
Henry raised an eyebrow and returned the phone to her.
Victoria was speechless. What kind of crazy habit was this?
Did he even ask for her permission before snatching her phone?
He was so rude. She hates him more day by day.
How could she be so blind to fall for someone like him?
Cold, ruthless, unfaithful, no manners, like controlling, threaten people,.
... She hates herself 5 years ago more.
He caught her look of disapproval but didn't seem to care.
"Jude and Emma are coming over," he said casually.
Just as he finished speaking, a knock came at the door, and Emma's sweet little voice called out, "Ms. Victoria, are you in there?"
Victoria's eyes lit up, and she immediately replied, "I'm here, sweetie. Come in."
The door opened, and Emma dashed in. Seeing Victoria safe and sound, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Ms. Victoria, I thought a bad guy had taken you!" Emma said, her face full of worry.
Victoria was amused. "Of course not, silly. I'm powerful! I can beat up any bad guy."
Emma nodded seriously. "That's right, you're the best!"
Jude followed behind her, his delicate but aloof face showing a hint of concern. "Mom, are you still hurting?"
They were both acting so strangely.
"I'm fine now," Victoria said.
She felt that perhaps she should talk with Jude. All his efforts were pointless; she didn't want to be his mom anymore. She does not want to be back "the old Victoria" five years ago whom Henry and Jude want her to be.
As night fell, Camille had the servants prepare the guest rooms, and the two children went to their separate rooms to rest.
Victoria wheeled herself into the bathroom to wash up. When she came out, she saw Henry already lying on her bed.
She paused, then said, "There are plenty of rooms here. If you sleep here, I won't be able to get a good night's sleep."
Henry, who was reading a book, glanced at her. "Fine, then neither of us will sleep tonight."
What a jerk!
Victoria frowned at him. "Are you blind? Can't you see I'm trying to keep my distance from you?"
Henry closed the book, his deep eyes peering out from beneath slightly tousled bangs. Those eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken emotions, the kind that could drown you in an instant if you weren't careful.
"You resist me," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And so? What will that change?"
Victoria felt her heart sink. He didn't care about her feelings at all, which meant nothing would ever change.
A mocking smile touched her lips. "Then why don't you just find a wife who's more obedient and well–behaved?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I'm a constant thorn in your side. Aren't you afraid I'll send you to an early grave?"
"Then let's see who dies first, you or me?" Henry shot her a cold look; the warmth that had flickered in his eyes moments ago felt like a mirage.
Victoria turned away, caught in a standoff. She couldn't grasp why he disagreed, and the tension was driving her crazy.
She maneuvered her wheelchair closer to the bed, but before she could settle in, Henry swept her up and placed her on the bed.
She decisively pulled the blanket over herself and went to sleep.
But Henry's voice cut through the quiet. "You're not allowed to sleep."
Victoria frowned. "What more do you want?" She was injured. Was he still thinking about sex?
Henry studied her for a moment. "You need to apply some medicine."
She turned her face away. "No. They'll heal on their own."
"Do you think your body is just yours?" Henry's tone became more serious.
"Of course it's mine!" she shot back.
"We're married, which makes your body a shared responsibility," he said calmly.
With that, he lifted the blanket and reached to unbutton her pajamas.
"I don't need it!" Victoria protested vehemently, pushing his hand away and clutching the collar of her pajamas.
She appeared alert as if he was going to do something to her.
A flicker of amusement sparkled in Henry's deep–set eyes. If he truly wanted to do something, did she really think she could stop him?
Unable to withstand his gaze, Victoria blurted, "I want my mom to do it!"
She turned away and quickly dialed Camille.
The sudden ringing startled Camille and James. Camille picked up with irritation. "Who is it?"
"Mom, come put some medicine on my injuries," Victoria said before promptly hanging up.
Furious, Camille vented, "Damn it. She never gives me a moment's peace! How on earth did I end up with a daughter like her?"
James, lacking patience, urged, "Just go."
Reluctantly, Camille threw on a coat and headed to Victoria's room. She knocked on the door before stepping inside.
Victoria immediately shoved the ointment into her hands. "The doctor said this will help my injury heal faster."
Camille accepted it but said, "You should really let a servant help you next time. You scared me with that ring just now! My heart isn't strong; what if something really bad had happened?"
Victoria replied coolly, "Then maybe don't say things that provoke me. Otherwise, I might just jump out of the window, and then you'll really have to take care of me."
Annoyed, Camille felt angry but held her tongue.
Henry lingered on the balcony, glancing back just in time to see Victoria removing her pajamas. The soft light illuminated her fair, delicate skin, marred by bruises and scratches that marred her beauty.
He frowned. To him, those bruises were utterly annoying unless they were inflicted by him intentionally. He thought Camille should take better care of her.
After applying the ointment, Camille yawned. "Anything else? If not, I'm heading to bed," she said, her tone noticeably frosty.
"I'm thirsty," Victoria replied.
Camille shot her a cold look, clearly angry about her demand.
She fetched a glass of water, watched Victoria drink, and then left with a gloomy expression. "You better be my daughter, or you'll be sorry!" she murmured.
As she murmured, the door cracked open slightly, revealing half of Emma's face. She processed Camille's words before quietly shutting the door.