< Chapter 38
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Chapter 38.
She said, “Oh? And who is the father? Maybe I’ll meet him sometime?”
Juliette grinned, clearly relishing the moment.”Sure, I’ll mention it. He and Mr. Dunbar are quite alike-gentle, considerate.”
“He’ll care for me, for my family.
“He’ll put his work aside to celebrate my birthday.
“He plans ahead, even a year in advance for my presents.”
Each sentence was a dagger, and they sank deep into Jovana’s heart. The words cut through her.
She forced a smile, wide and pained, trying not to let the tears spill.
“Is that so?” Jovana said.
“Yeah. Juliette smiled, glowing with satisfaction.
Armando, suddenly cold, grabbed Jovana’s hand and shot Juliette a venomous glare. His voice, dripping with ice, barely masked his fury.
“We won’t be meeting you. Please, behave yourself.”
The warning in his words was crystal clear.
Juliette blinked, eyes wide with feigned innocence, her lower lip trembling. She looked pitiful, her eyes filled with unshed tears.
“Of course, Mr. Dunbar. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep…”
Nothing tugs at a man’s heartstrings more than seeing a woman in distress, especially when those tears are on the brink of spilling from her eyes.
Armando felt a tremor in his chest.
Jovana, her gaze heavy, lifted her eyes to meet the sorrowful expression on Armando’s face.
At that moment, she felt like a clown, foolish and pitiful.
Jovana thought, “Juliette just feigned vulnerability. Did it really break him?
“And as for everything that my family has gone through today, what did that even mean to him?”
His attitude had already decided everything.
Jovana let out a sad smile, about to walk away.
But then, she felt the weight on her shoulder as Armando’s firm arm slipped around her. His cold voice pierced the air as he spoke to Juliette, “You know better than to speak like that. Don’t let it happen again.”
The words Jovana wanted to say were suddenly swallowed, lodged in her throat.
She heard him softly, sweetly whisper in her ear, “You’ve been up all night. Don’t let her ruin your Let me take you upstairs to rest.”
His eyes were filled with concern, a sharp contrast to how he’d spoken to Juliette.
mood.
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< Chapter 38
But to Jovana, it felt like a performance.”Armando, you’re such a good actor,” she thought bitterly.
Her eyes burned with frustration, her heart shattered. The questions she longed to ask were swallowed back, bitter and painful.
Armando shot Juliette a harsh look, one filled with warning, as if daring her to speak another word. He then pulled Jovana closer, his arm around her shoulder, and led her away, his voice soft as he explained
the earlier situation.
Juliette, caught off guard by his cold tone and distant attitude, couldn’t hold back her tears. Her welled up with injustice.
eyes
She pressed her hand tighter against her stomach, her flawless makeup failing to hide the pallor on her
face.
A phone call came through, the voice on the other end taunting.”I’ve sent the photos to your phone…”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
She narrowed her eyes at the couple ahead of her, her voice cold as she answered, before turning and walking away.
She was curious to see how long Jovana could keep up this charade.
Armando followed Jovana a while later, realizing she was carrying a lunchbox.
She’d come out to find him, to bring him food. She was worried about him.
But instead, he had gone off to be with Juliette.
Only now, belatedly, did the realization hit Armando.
He felt the sting of guilt. He rushed to catch up with Jovana, gently pulling her into his arms.
“Vana, don’t be like this… will you at least talk to me?”
The warmth of his voice and the tender embrace were everything she had once cherished. But now, all she felt was disgust.
Jovana remained expressionless, pushing him away, slamming the lunchbox onto the table. She couldn’t bear to stay in the same space with him any longer.
She spoke softly, “I’m going to check on Grandma…”
The indifference in her tone made Armando’s heart twist.
He took a deep breath, reaching out to stop her.”It’s late. You should rest. Let me go instead.”
“Get some sleep,” he added, brushing a gentle hand over her cheek before walking away.
The room fell silent.
Jovana, her composure unraveling, couldn’t keep up the mask anymore. She rushed into the bathroom,
turning on the faucet and scrubbing her face, her hands, anything he had touched.
Twenty minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, pale and drained.
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< Chapter 38
She stood by the window, her eyes closing in melancholy.
She couldn’t help but think of that man again.
He had helped her twice, but she didn’t even know his name, let alone how to contact him.
After a moment’s thought, she grabbed her phone and sent a quick message, “Help me find someone.”
It was time. She had to meet him, for her peace of mind, and for what little was left of her heart.
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