Chapter 219: Hopefully That Day Never Comes
In fact, that was the case. They could not keep her locked up. At that time, even without Benjamin’s help, she would have risked her life to escape.
Nathan didn’t seem to agree with that, but he didn’t press the topic. He raised his eyebrows, contempt flashing in his eyes.
"Does Chris know you came to see me because of your ex-boyfriend?"
"He doesn’t know."
Nathan hadn’t expected her to answer so directly. "Aren’t you afraid that I’ll tell him?"
Janice didn’t blink.
"I am. However, I also don’t wish for him to blame himself after regaining his memories. I have never liked owing others favors. He is the same."
Nathan’s face was a study in contempt.
Janice knew he wouldn’t change his mind just because she’d asked him to. She said, "Actually, you don’t have to do anything. Maybe he and I won’t be together for long."
She was a bit downcast.
"Oh?"
He looked as if he was listening raptly.
She continued, trying to keep her emotions in check.
"I’ve thought through it. If he really can’t remember me, then let’s end this. I’m already satisfied that we can be together for three months."
She had been obsessed with the love he had given her. Without that love, she would not have been able to go on. To go on like this would make it a meaningless marriage. Why trap him and make things difficult for herself?
Nathan hadn’t expected her to say such things. He sized up the woman in front of him again. She seemed different than before.
The spirit of facing death with equanimity was replaced by a higher level of rationality. He didn’t know where the change came from, but it was a good thing for him either way.
"If you won’t go back on your word, I can consider withdrawing the decision. However, my losses are not to be in vain."
She wasn’t surprised. This was characteristic of businessmen. Part of the reason why he hurt the Taylors was to vent his anger.
"I know. So, please ask someone to draft a contract. To end this matter, I will give up all my rights to any assets. I’m willing to pay a price that steep."
She stood, "I hope you are satisfied with this condition."
"Of course."
Seeing the satisfied look on Nathan’s face, Janice turned around and walked out of the door.
"Is it worth it for an old flame?"
His tone was mocking. She stopped walking but didn’t turn around.
"He’s not an old friend. As long as he’s my friend, he’s worth it."
Money might be important to her, but it was not important enough to make her discard her conscience.
She walked out of the Bateman Group with her head held high though her legs felt wobbly. Recently, due to the pregnancy, she had been vomiting a lot, so she couldn’t eat much. She just had a high-intensity nerve-wracking session, so she felt a little tired.
She supported herself against the wall for quite a while before she felt a little better. However, her heart was still aching. She leaned against the wall and thought about the promises she had just made. Giving up some things might be easy for her, but it was excruciating pain to give up on her love. She only hoped that that day would never come.
Meanwhile, in front of the French windows of the office, Christopher’s tall figure stood, the scenery of the whole of Tomaville in his sight. Even so, his thoughts drifted off into the distance.
The scene of them quarreling in the cafe flashed through his mind. During this period of time, he had been so immersed in her tenderness, he had forgotten the doubts in his heart.
At this moment, he was reminded that he still didn’t know why she suddenly came back.
...
"Mr. Bateman, this is the latest report on the financial status of the Taylor Corporation."
One of his subordinates came in with some documents.
Only then did Christopher pull himself back to reality. He turned to the desk and picked up the documents.
Janice dragged her exhausted body home. She looked at the time and realized that Christopher would be home soon. She needed to recover some of her physical strength before he came back, or he would be suspicious again.
She walked over to the refrigerator. She wanted to find something to fill her stomach. She had forgotten that there was still a box of fresh salmon in the refrigerator. Before she could take out any other food, her stomach roiled. She didn’t know if it was because of the smell of salmon.
She turned around quickly and rushed to the bathroom to vomit. When Christopher opened the door and came in, he heard her vomiting.
Without taking off his shoes, he rushed into the bathroom. Seeing that she looked pale and weak, he went to help her up.
Janice hadn’t expected Christopher to come back yet. She was taken aback, but recovered herself and smiled weakly. "You’re back."
He didn’t say a word but helped her to sit down on the sofa.
"Can you get me a glass of water please?" she asked weakly.
He turned around wordlessly and headed into the dining room. He poured her a glass of water from the jug. His eyes swept over to her handbag by the side. He remembered that she had taken the medicine from her bag the last time.
Thinking of this, he glanced in the direction of the living room then opened her handbag. As expected, he saw white medicine bottles in it, but there were two bottles. He didn’t know which was the one she had taken the last time, so he took both.
He looked at the bottles, noted the names of the medication before putting them back and carrying the glass of water to her.
Janice felt much better after drinking the water. When she met Chris’ gaze, she looked away with guilt and explained, "The salmon in the refrigerator may have gone bad. I forgot to clean it up, so I felt a little disgusted. I will be fine."
Chris stood there, his ears didn’t listen to her explanation.
He found an excuse to leave and went to the study. He googled the name of the medicine he had just memorized.
Soon, the search results appeared.
The medications she was taking were folic acid and a vitamin used to relieve morning sickness, during the early stages of pregnancy.
Was she really pregnant?
He was shocked. Although he had considered the possibility, he was still taken aback when he confirmed the result.
The information about the Taylor Corporation that his subordinates had researched and collated came to mind.
The Taylor Corporation was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Janice had suddenly returned on the eve of the bankruptcy announcement.
Even at the expense of threatening suicide, she racked her brains to get back to his side. Why exactly did she do this?
He thought about everything she had done to herself during this period.
From threatening to jump off the roof of the Bateman Group building, to coming home with him, giving in to him, and trying to please him. Then she had gone from pleasing him to being cold.
The scenes played in his mind like a disturbing movie.
Could it be that everything she had done was only for the sake of attaining a certain objective?
A company on the verge of bankruptcy and an illegitimate child expelled by her family.
He had reason to suspect her motives for returning to his side.
He was unwilling to think in that direction, however.
...
Coincidences were normal, but when they happened successively, something was wrong somewhere. How did he explain these recurring coincidences?
He hated that he suffered from amnesia. He had no memory of this woman, and thus had no basis on which to trust her.
He was frustrated at how his own mind had betrayed him. He picked up his coat and walked out in a huff.
Janice felt better. She was about to go to the kitchen when she hear the study door click shut. She poked her head out and saw Chris, coat in hand, ready to go out.
"Are you going out?"
He spared her a glance but remained taciturn. He put on his shoes and walked to the door, where he stopped and turned to her. "I won’t be back for dinner."
He stepped out.
"Come back early." The words were on her lips but the door closed before she could utter them.
When she returned to the kitchen, she ate a simple meal. She was by herself after all, and didn’t have much of an appetite.
It was the beginning of the festive season, and the lights for the Christmas market had not yet been lit.
Chris drove around the city a few times before he stopped the car in front of the Pattinson Club.
He hadn’t told Daniel he’d come. He hadn’t planned to anyway. It had been a spur of the moment decision.
Daniel’s surprise was apparent when he saw him.
"Yo, this is rare. I thought you were spending time with your wife and children."
Daniel’s tone was teasing.
Chris didn’t respond. He just walked toward their exclusive private room.
Daniel could tell he was in a foul mood, so he didn’t ask any more questions. He simply ordered a bottle of whiskey.
"Have a drink."
He poured Chris some whiskey.
Chris took the glass wordlessly and raised it to his lips.
From the way he downed his whiskey, Daniel could tell Chris was enraged. He poured more whisky into his glass.
Chris, on the other hand, felt Daniel was being slow. He grabbed the bottle and filled his glass to the brim, ignoring Daniel’s astonished expression as he gulped it down.
Another empty glass. Daniel frowned. "This is strong whiskey. I know you can hold your liquor well, but you can’t drink it like water. Slow down."
He called the waiter over, ordered a few dishes, and said, "A few days ago, James was here for drinks. I would have invited you if I had known that you were available to come out."
Chris was quiet. He was lost in thought.
"What’s wrong? You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
Daniel was slightly worried when he saw how quiet Chris was.
He knew Chris very well. If he wanted to share, he would talk about it. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t say a word.
Judging from his mood and behavior tonight, he wouldn’t be sharing what was bothering him.
Daniel got his point and didn’t press further. As Chris drank, he distracted him with trivial chitchat.
The drinking didn’t end until 10 o’clock in the evening.
By then, Christopher was half-drunk. He staggered into the house.
Janice was waiting in the living room. When she saw he was unsteady on his feet, she immediately went to hold him, but he pushed her away.
"You... stay away from me."
He reeked of alcohol.
She didn’t think much of it, excusing his behavior with his drunkenness. She stumbled as she helped him back to the bedroom and placed him on the bed. Then, she went to the bathroom and grabbed a wet towel to wipe his face.
"Why are you so nice to me?"
He suddenly grabbed her hand that was holding the towel.
"You’re drunk." She wasn’t sure what else to say.
She moved his hand and continued wiping, but he was persistent and stopped her again.
"No... I’m... not drunk... Tell me...why are you so nice to me?" His speech was slurred.
