“Mrs. Burton, your wounds…”
As the maid attended to Rachel’s bath, she was shocked to see the numerous injuries on Rachel’s body.
Rachel had sustained all those wounds while she was in Brookeville and she didn’t take proper care of them nowadays; this was why they were infected and inflamed.
However, she didn’t seem like she cared. She simply lay in the bathtub and stared at the lights above her.
The light from the ceiling lights cast flickering shadows, making her dizzy. Everything that happened in the past half year replayed itself like a movie in her head.
At first, she wanted to get Nancy’s sickness treated, which was why she was forced to marry Justin in Amber’s place. However, it was exactly because of her lingering ties with him that caused Nancy’s death in the end.
At the end of the cycle, Rachel felt like everything she did was for naught.
After Rachel emerged from the bath, the maid helped her to the bed and to rest on her back. “Mrs. Burton, rest well. Young Master Justin went out moments ago and we’re not sure whether he will be back tonight.”
Upon tearing that, Rachel covered herself with a blanket and made herself comfortable. She didn’t have the slightest curiosity on where Justin went.
When the maid saw that, she sighed and left, closing the door after her.
Meanwhile, the night breeze was blowing on the river bank.
After hearing the sound of a car motor, Amber immediately turned around. “Justin.”
He wore a jet black suit and seemed to melt into the dark night. “Where’s the item?”
She gritted her teeth. “I brought it, alright, but Justin, don’t you think you owe me an explanation? I went around and worked tirelessly these few days for your sake, but the moment you were released, you looked for Rachel instead. If you really can’t let go of her, why bother getting engaged with me?”
“Because you are Amber Hudson.” The look in Justin’s eyes was unfazed. “Right from the start, the one I am supposed to marry is you, not her.”
Amber was stunned.
“If you do not wish to get married, there’s still time to turn around.”
“I don’t mean it like that.” Amber was suddenly flustered. “Of course I’m willing to get married, but Rachel-”
“No ‘but’s. Your father is to blame, for he shouldn’t have allowed Rachel to marry into the Burton Family in your stead. Every woman I have touched would be mine forever, even after divorce.”
The cool breeze carried the cold words unforgivingly into her ears, causing her heart to tremble.
Amber was no fool. Right from the start, she knew all too well what Justin thought of her and her background.
If she wasn’t Jefferey’s daughter and the sole heir to Hudson Pharmaceuticals, Justin wouldn’t even spare her another look.
Still, she could not understand something. There were many young women from families on par with the Burton Family in Riverdale, but Justin paid them no mind. She didn’t know why he had his sights set firmly on the Hudsons. Her father’s words then echoed and resonated in her head as she mulled over it.
“I can give you the item, but I want our wedding date to be brought forward so that we can get married as
soon as possible.”
Justin wasn’t quick to agree. Instead, he questioned Amber coldly, “You were the one who sent people to Southwind Villa on the night of our engagement party, didn’t you?”
Under the moonlight, his cold eyes seemed to threaten her.
Amber trembled violently before she quickly denied the notion. “Of course not. No matter what the circumstances between Rachel and I are, we are still sisters in the end. I wouldn’t dream of doing such things to her.”
“You wouldn’t, but Jason would.”
The people who were sent to Southwind Villa were clearly not the same people whom she had hired. Amber was a spoiled girl from a rich family, so she wouldn’t have connections to vicious criminals. The most she could find were some street ruffians to do her bidding.
However, someone took advantage of her involvement and switched up the members to be sent there. They were all criminals aiming to take Rachel’s life.
Amber paled. “Justin, are you suspecting that I was working together with Jason? I didn’t do it-I swear!”
“Really? If you didn’t, how did you manage to escape from Jason in one piece?”
Jason had brought Amber away when she was in the hospital, but she was released that same night. It was something that she had said herself.
She had nothing to say in return.
“Justin, you can’t accuse me like that. I have not the slightest intention of harming you.” Amber frantically rummaged through her bag and managed to produce an envelope. “Here’s the recorded evidence of him ordering people to kidnap Rachel’s grandma. Here, take it. Feel free to pass this to the police for verification. Then, he’ll have to spend his whole life in jail. If I really were working together with him, I wouldn’t hold on to this piece of evidence, would I?”
Justin took the envelope, the joints pronounced in his slender fingers. “There are many things you shouldn’t concern yourself with around me. I hope you know where your limits are. The things I hate most are betrayals and threats.”
The river breeze breathed past Amber and she felt chills running down her spine.
Rachel was woken up by the servant for breakfast the next day and when she descended the stairs, she found Justin there as well.
She had no idea when he had returned.
“Mrs. Burton, Mr. Burton had hurried home this morning to accompany you for breakfast. He didn’t want you to feel too bored being alone.”
The maid had thrown in a good word for Justin as she pulled a chair for Rachel to sit at the table.
Rachel didn’t respond much after hearing those words. She simply took the cutlery and sliced into the sandwich and sausages on her plate. She took a few casual bites before she set aside her cutleries and moved to get up.
“Mrs. Burton, you’re already done?”
Yes.
Before Rachel could even manage to leave the table, someone had grabbed her by the wrist.
Justin’s grip was on her hand when he questioned, “Are you full, or did you lose your appetite at the sight of me?”
She couldn’t struggle free of his grasp, nor did she have the energy to. The calm look in her eyes was so cold that it brought chills. What do you think? Should I have an appetite when I look at you? You murderer!
Why would a murderer think that someone would be overjoyed to have meals with him?
His expression darkened in an instant before he flung her away forcefully.
Rachel fell back onto the chair, the pain distorting her delicate features.
Justin placed his hands on the back of the chair and the table, locking Rachel into the tight circle formed by his body. His action had cast a shadow on her. “Do not try my patience. You are not allowed to go anywhere unless you finish the food on your plate.”
With that, he threw her a cold glare before he returned to his own seat. “Miss Jennifer, pour another glass of fruit juice for her.”
The shocked maid was standing at the side before she nodded hastily. “Understood. I’ll attend to it right away.”
Rachel’s shoulders were furiously trembling as the anger and embarrassment billowed in her chest.
Justin spoke, “I have all the time in the world to spend on you this morning. If you can’t finish your breakfast, I’ll just sit here and wait until you do. If the food gets cold, I’ll get them to warm it up for you. If the food is reheated too often, I’ll have them make a fresh batch. If you want to keep me in view so badly, I have all the time in the world to humor you.”
The tension between them continued for a long time in silence.
Under the man’s persistent gaze, Rachel finally gave up. She picked up the cutlery and tightly held them. Then, she proceeded to slice away at the bacon on her plate.
It was only then when Justin averted his gaze to drink coffee while he read the newspaper at his side.
“From now on, I’ll return home every day to accompany you as you eat. Be prepared for that.”
Rachel was cutting some bread when she paused in the middle of her actions. Then, she gritted her teeth.
