Chapter 4
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My indifferent attitude still angered Owen.
He felt he had humbled himself, yet I still gave him no shame.
“You’re really something. Do you want me to kneel to satisfy you?” Owen said he had already made a big concession.
But I didn’t need it anymore.
Owen said he wouldn’t serve me anymore. He slammed the door and left. I finished eating before going to the study to open a
locked box.
Inside was a faded photo of a boy who looked exactly like Owen.
I reached out to touch the photo and then locked the box again.
In the evening, Owen came back with bags of groceries. He said he would take care of me in the coming days.
Seeing Owen trying to be a virtuous full–time househusband, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re busy at the hospital. I can order takeout. I’m not paralyzed,” I said.
“Shh,” Owen hushed me, covering my mouth. “Don’t talk nonsense, Zoey. I was too impatient before. You weren’t ready to meet my
family. I shouldn’t have forced you.”
Owen seemed like a changed person. He put on an apron, ready to show off his cooking skills.
There was a sudden urgent knock on the door.
Owen went to open the door. I stood nearby and saw Alice crying as she threw herself into Owen’s arms.
“What’s wrong, Alice?” Owen asked.
Owen didn’t push her away, letting Alice stay in his arms. “I went home alone today. Someone followed me. Owen, I was so scared.
I almost didn’t see you again.”
” ”
I thought something had happened. Usually, Owen picked Alice up from work, claiming it was on the way.
After all, they worked at the same hospital. But Alice lived in the west of the city, and we lived in the east. How was that on the way?
The Morris family had many drivers. Why did Owen have to do it himself?
“Can I stay here tonight, Owen? I’m really scared,” Alice asked.
“Okay.” Owen’s house was big enough to accommodate her.
Perhaps noticing my gaze, Alice let go and said innocently,
“Zoey is at home.”
I didn’t say anything, just played with my phone.
Owen came over to explain, “Alice was followed by a pervert. She’s staying here tonight. Don’t overthink it.”
“No problem. It’s your house. You decide,” I said.
Owen was stunned, surprised by my generosity. If it had been before, I would have torn the roof off if he dared to hug Alice so intimately.
4
But now I didn’t care..
I sat on the sofa. Alice took a shower, changed into a cool nightgown, and sat beside me.
“Owen’s hands are for holding surgical tools, yet he’s cooking for you. It’s so touching,” Alice said.
I didn’t know what Alice was trying to do, making it seem like Owen was making great sacrifices for me.
I laughed and replied, “Ordering takeout works too. I won’t starve.”
“You don’t feel sorry for him. He did two major surgeries today, yet he’s still cooking for you,” Alice said. Alice kept praising Owen, making it hard for me to watch TV.
“Next month we’re going abroad for an exchange program. I heard we can bring family,” Alice said, trying to bait me.
I didn’t respond. Owen brought over a dish and said, “Zoey, come with us. It’s for two months. It’ll be a good trip for you.” “No,” I refused Owen. “The project restarts next month. I’m going to Yoseph Mountain.”
“What?”
Owen probably didn’t expect me to refuse, nor did he expect me to go to Yoseph Mountain again.
In the past, he would immediately quash my dangerous ideas, confident I would give up many things for him.
But not this time.
Owen probably didn’t expect me to refuse, nor did he expect me to go to Yoseph Mountain again.
In the past, he would immediately quash my dangerous ideas, confident I would give up many things for him.
But not this time.
“You have to go, don’t you?”
“Yes, I have to go.”
How could he understand? That mysterious forest held my dreams, things I had to protect, and the unrelenting dreams I had to
chase.