5

Vivienne's POV

My face turned pale. I looked at Julian calmly. He was accompanied by a stunning woman who was his first love. What approach would Julian take to introduce me to Ophelia? Maybe, I would also feel conflicted if I were in his position.

"Ophelia," was the name given by Julian after he looked at me with suspicion. She's…"

He stopped for a moment before saying, "I have known this friend for quite some time."

The word friend came across as oddly placed when he spoke it to me, maybe my imagination was constrained.

My body trembled slightly. I tried to remain tranquil when I answered, "Had you been aware of this for a long time? Your relationship seems to have been intense since you were both young.”

Ophelia's smile was a sweet reply to the question, "No way, we met when we were twenty. Back then…"

Despite any thoughts she had, Ophelia smiled and laughed loudly before saying, "I thought Julian's hairstyle was quite amusing at that moment."

The middle part was modified in its current form. Everyone immediately shook his head when he first arrived on campus.

Julian looked gloomy and quipped, "What's the reason you're repeating this? What's wrong with that?”

“My photograph of you is still intact. With a gentle tapping,” Ophelio teased Julian's arm, "Don't mess with me or I'll show you your wife." She had a bright and cheerful laugh.

When the event erupted, Maximilian ran into Ophelia's arms and grimaced in amazement, asking her what photo they had taken. “What was it? And I want to see that too.”

My chest tightened painfully. They caused me more pain than I could cope with. Anyone who saw Ophelia with Julian and Maximilian would assume I was an outsider.

By fondling Maximilian's face with a gentle stroke, Ophelia smiled and gave him reassurance. "I'll reveal it to you at 2:30 pm," she whispered.

Julian smiled faintly. He gazed into my eyes, focusing on my feeble and thin physique as I stood with my back to him. The image he had was one of someone so delicate that she could collapse with the help of a breath of fresh air.

Immediately after, he trailed behind and took hold of my arm. "What the fact? Don't be mad at Maximilian. I'll handle it. Tonight at home I'll make him apologize to you.”

I smeared my lip and delicately asked, "Have you perused the item?"

Julian frowned. “What thing?"

The letter was yet to be seen by him. My expression was one of a slight frown and I said, "Don't be upset. I'm going home now. Keep it in mind when you're studying tonight.”

The driver was signaled by Julian, who said, "Let me take you home."

But I refused. My hand was free and I wanted to leave by taxi.

Just as the taxi was driving away, Julian stood there looking. Seeing him through the window, I saw Ophelia. They chatted happily, and Julian promptly smirked.

I rapidly moved my face away. My palms ached. When I opened them, I saw faint purple marks where my nails had penetrated my skin as I tried to suppress my feelings.

My desire was to no longer view them. I just wanted to leave.

My doctor made a call upon my arrival home. He instructed me to go to the hospital for a pressure test in two days.

To tell the truth, my aim was to have everything concluded without delay. The test was filled with an excessive number of individuals lining up, particularly the elderly who were getting ready for trips out of town but still had to fly. Due to my severe illness, I was among the many patients who required the test.

Then I went back to the hotel.

The driver brought Maximilian home at five in the evening. I was not present during that time. I can only imagine what happened when he suddenly decided to park his bag in the back and run inside, screaming "Mom! Do my homework now! My teacher should never rebuke me again!"

I could picture his grouchy little face? He had been playing all night, and time seemed to fly by. Maybe he realized that I was the one who consistently reminded him to finish his homework at the age of eight before going to sleep.

He frequently found me irritating for interfering with his playtime. Without that, he would not be eligible for gold-star stickers. Without that he might be left behind in class.

The fact that Maximilian resisted ridicule was understandable to me. He might have been rushing upstairs and inspecting every single room, but I couldn't find my way.

My phone rang, and the head maid was calling. I ignored it at first. I finally managed to answer after several attempts.

He had a sharp, small voice. "Where are you, mom? Where'm I? Why aren't you home yet?"

Two seconds passed before I quietly asked, "What's going on?"

He gave me the cold shoulder I wanted and said, “I'm waiting for you to do my homework for you! Do you fancy me getting a second look at my teacher tomorrow? Come home quickly!"

I held onto my phone with a sudden cold sweat. I had attempted to raise him well, but my son's behavior was discourteous. While others may view him as polite and charming, I find him lacking in genuine respect.

I snapped at the end, “wondering if anyone had any attraction to Aunt Ophelia. Whenever you encounter any problems, seek her assistance. Don't come to me!"

Immediately after, I terminated the call. He must be looking at his smartwatch with a split heart, unaware that I could be so unfeeling towards him.

After a 30-minute interval, someone knocked on my hotel room door. It was just hotel staff, so I opened it casually. The incident happened around.

The presence of a familiar, dark eye caused me to freeze. I can't remember why. I shook my head in wonder as I inquired, "How did you come across me?"

Julian entered the room with a bowl of dumplings in hand. "Happened to eat? The crab dumplings I provided were cooked to your liking, with additional vinegar added as per your preference. Eat while it's still warm."

His clean-cut work suit, which I used to iron on him, was still on me.

Following that, Julian took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and observed what was happening in the room. He retrieved my jacket that was hanging and opened my suitcase.

With a soft voice, he said, "Come with me home, I know you're uncomfortable in this place. It's time to pass on the responsibility of teaching our son. Upon our return, we will address his situation. Don't punish him like this."

I looked up and down at Julian, tears in my eyes, while he calmly kneeled down to help me put on my clothes.

In an instant, I wiped my tears and turned my face away while whispering, "You haven't seen what I left on your desk, have you?"

Julian stopped moving. He glanced at me with an empathetic expression, "What the hell is that?" You've mentioned it twice today."