SWNOVELS Chapter 40
Cordelia had a bad stomachache, so she took a day off and did not go to work.
Despite that, her time at home was not restful either, as she smelled a strange
herbal aroma coming from the kitchen since she woke up in the morning.
Forcing herself to get out of bed, she went to the kitchen and saw Marcus busy
inside. The breakfast he had prepared for her was spread out on the table—burnt
eggs, burnt toast, and a bow! of watery oats. It was not bad for this man who had
never gone in the kitchen...
Cordelia chuckled wryly and told him softly while leaning against the kitchens
door frame, “You don’t know how. Let me do it.”
Marcus was startled and turned back to look at her. “You're awake? You don’t
feel well, do you? Go back to bed after breakfast. I'll take care of this.”
“What are you up to?”
“Oh... I'm making you some soup.” Marcus was scrambling. “Go rest. I'll serve
the soup when it’s done.”
Cordelia pursed her lips. His action warmed her, but her mind reminded her of
something else—was he as considerate to his “first love” back then? A 16-year-
old boy was in the prime of his youth, so he must have been so passionate.
Her smile froze as she thought of it. The knot in her heart wrenched tighter. In
addition to the twisting pain in her lower abdomen after standing so long, she felt
frustrated. It was a coincidence that Marcus turned back to glance at her. She
glared back at him and spun on her heel to go back to her room, closing the door
as well.
Marcus was bewildered. Were all menstruating women this moody? She was just
smiling at him a second ago, and she glared at him the next second! How
troublesome!
Josiah texted him to go to Regalia for a discussion. He turned off the stove and
wanted to inform Cordelia when a few knocks came from the door.
Linda was the one standing outside. She had heard that Cordelia was not feeling
well, so she came to visit while she was out for sales.
“You're... Marcus?” Linda was surprised when the door opened.
This was her first time meeting Marcus. He was unlike what she had imagined at
all. She had been under the impression that a man who had fought and gone to
jail would look somewhat thuggish or even demotivated, but this man was tall
and handsome. His sculpted face was firm and cold, and his deep eyes gave off
nothing to others about what was in his mind. He exuded a strong aura, and
Linda could not help taking a few steps back.
“Mm, I am,” replied Marcus. “Linda Quimby?”
“Nice to meet you.” Linda chuckled.
Marcus stepped aside to let her in.
Once Linda stepped inside, she caught a whiff of the strong herbal scent and
frowned.
“What happened? Is she very ill?” Linda looked at him. “Why is she taking
medicine?”
“She's been having stomachache. I asked around for a recipe that says making
soup with these ingredients will make it better.”
“Oh.” Linda nodded thoughtfully.
Her mother was a holistic doctor specializing in gynecology, so she grew up
under that influence. She felt something was wrong just from sniffing the smell
and thought she would check out what the pot was cooking when she had a
chance later. After all, it was for consumption. She had to watch out for Cordelia.
“Linda, you're here?” Cordelia came out of her room. “I'm so sorry. It's just period
pain, but I act like I've fallen so sick, and you have to come to visit me...”
“This isn’t anything petty to women, though.” Linda chuckled. “You don’t look too
good. Does it hurt a lot?”
“Mn.” Cordelia’s brows were scrunched together. “Can you get more painkillers
from your mom for me? They're effective. I felt better right away after taking them
the last time!”
“Do you still need painkillers?” Linda pointed at the kitchen and giggled. “Your
husband made you an all-healing soup. It's so much better than those
painkillers!”
Cordelia looked up at the man who stood by the side and smiled at him.
Marcus let her know he was going out. Like usual, he did not tell her who he was
out with or what time he would be home, just that she did not have to wait up for
him to eat if it got too late.
Cordelia sighed while looking at his back.
“This doesn’t sound right.” Linda looked at her with a smile. “Our Cordelia looks
like she's troubled?”
Cordelia bit her lips and spilled all about the man’s supposed first love.
Linda could not help laughing after listening to her.
“That's it? Cordelia, you're putting yourself through so much suffering over a
mere imaginary rival? You're hilarious!”
“I know it’s like I'm making it up. There’s no proof of it. It’s kind of ridiculous that
I'm thinking like this.” Cordelia sat on the couch, hugging her legs, and rested her
face in her hands. Her eyes were big and lost. “But I just can’t control myself.”
“You silly girl!” Linda counseled her, “This is all in your head! You can’t
misunderstand him over a sentence he didn’t finish, right? He might not have
anyone at all!
“Okay, so even if he does have a first love, that's old history. He married you in
the end, didn’t he? What are you worried about?
“Besides...” Linda pursed her lips and said, “A man like him has no family
background, no job, and a mark on his record. Who do you think wants to fight
for him with you? You're the only one treasuring him!”
“What are you talking about!?” Cordelia glared at her without heat and chortled.
She did feel better after talking to Linda. Even her stomach hurt less.
It was then the pot on the stove gurgled. The herbal soup nearly bubbled over.
Linda darted to open the lid, but her gaze changed when she saw the soup’s
ingredients.