chapter 3

During lunchtime, I focused on eating a loaf of bread.

I ate in complete silence, didn't even touch the other dishes, and devoured my food hurriedly as if I hadn't eaten in a month.

"Jennifer Hill!"

"I'm here!"

When I heard someone call my name, I reflexively put down my forks and stood up.

I even replied with "I'm here" while my mouth was still full.

My unexpected reaction not only surprised Mark and his grandmother, but also caught me off guard.

I glanced at their astonished expressions, then looked down at the neatly arranged tableware, even though I had put them down in a hurry.

I suddenly didn't know what to do. I forgot that this wasn't the rehab center.

I had no idea why Mark suddenly called me.

"You scared Jennifer, you rascal," Mark's grandmother scolded him, then turned to me and said, "Sit down, dear, Just make yourself at home. ."

I obediently sat down without touching the dishes in front of me.

"Grandma was talking to you, didn't you hear?" Mark spoke in an irritated tone.

I wasn't sure if he was annoyed because I didn't hear his grandmother or because his grandmother scolded him.

"Sorry, Ms. Anderson Sr., I was too hungry and didn't pay attention." I cast an apologetic glance towards her.

My teacher used to say that apologies should be sincere.

Actually, my haste wasn't due to extreme hunger but rather the fear of not finishing my meal promptly and facing criticism for leaving leftovers.

I vaguely remembered that Mark's grandmother had told me to eat other dishes and not just bread, but I heard it too late, prompting Mark to call me.

After the meal, I returned to my old house left by my grandfather.

"Thank you for taking me back." I politely nodded to Mark to express my gratitude.

Mark's grandmother suggested I stay over for the night, but I declined. I didn't want to have too much contact with them, so I had Mark bring me back.

"Are you sure about staying here?" Mark frowned.

I turned my head to look at the house behind me; no one had lived there for three years.

Weeds had grown unchecked.

I nodded towards Mark.

Apart from here, I had nowhere else to go, and I was penniless. The clothes I was wearing were still the same as three years ago.

The clothing inside the rehab center was all uniform, which was why I still only had this outfit.

I reached down to pull out the weeds, and it seemed to disturb the creatures living inside; they all scattered.

Cockroaches, mice, and even a lazy snake lying in the corner.

If it were in the past, I would have probably jumped onto Mark immediately.

But now, I simply looked at these creatures calmly, planning to find a stick to shoo the snake away.

Mark directly pulled me into the car.

"What's wrong?" I looked at him with confusion. I just noticed that Mark hadn't left yet.

"Didn't you see there's a snake there?" Mark's tone was rather unpleasant.

Oh, I forgot; Mark was also afraid of these cold-blooded creatures.

"I saw it. It's okay; I'll use a stick to move it. If you're afraid, you can go back first," I reassured him.

I opened the car door, ready to get out.

But Mark locked the car and drove it away.

I sat in the passenger seat, fastening the seatbelt in fear.

"Where are you... taking me?"

Mark didn't respond.

I didn't ask again.

Mark took me to his private residence.

He didn't say a word; he simply closed the door, and I couldn't get out because it had a password lock.

He then went to take a shower.

I suppose he must have felt uncomfortable after seeing those cold-blooded creatures.

I sat obediently in the living room.

It was probably an hour later when Mark came out of the bathroom..

He was wearing pajamas and his hair was still wet.

I avoided staring at him out of courtesy.

“You can move into your grandpa’s house once it’s tidied. Stay here for tonight,” Mark explained to me.

I thought about it and nodded, thanking him.

Grandpa’s house was quite spacious, and it seemed like it would take me until late at night to clean it all up on my own..

He approached me, and I stood up, waiting on the side like a servant.

Mark held my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

" You’ve quit your crazy addiction towards me?" A hint of inquiry appeared on Mark's face.

I nodded without a moment of hesitation.The three painful years at rehab had completely dispelled my affection towards him.

That night, I had nightmares.

In my dreams, there were many pairs of eyes.

These eyes held various emotions, including hatred, disgust, nausea, repulsion...

They all came from the same person, Mark...