Chapter 7

Vespera didn't say a word. Luke looked composed, but there was a trace of unease. The phone kept buzzing—calls, video call requests, and then a relentless barrage of text messages, one after another. Sugar Baby was bold and unapologetic. The tension in the room grew palpable. "Aren't you going to answer that?" Vespera asked coolly. Luke finally reached for the phone, turned it off without looking at the screen, and placed it back on the nightstand. He touched her forehead. "You're still a little warm, but it's fine. Go back to sleep. I'll watch over you." Vespera lay back down and closed her eyes. An hour later, her breathing evened, as if she had fallen asleep. Luke picked up the phone from the nightstand, turned it on, and stepped out onto the balcony. After reading the messages, he made a call. "Is everything okay? Don't be afraid. I'll be right there," Luke said in a hushed tone. Then, he returned to the room, grabbed his coat, and left. Vespera quietly opened her eyes. She had never fallen asleep. Deep down, she didn't know what she was still hoping for. A man who had changed his heart was like spoiled fruit—it would only rot further. At 4:30 am, Luke returned. Seeing Vespera still asleep, he breathed a sigh of relief. He touched her forehead and found it was no longer feverish. He got up and went to take a shower. A short while later, Luke came out in a bathrobe and lay beside her. He wrapped an arm around her waist as he drifted off to sleep. Once Luke was sound asleep, Vespera gently moved his arm and sat up. She stared coldly at the man sleeping beside her. His face was as handsome as ever—he had thin lips, a sharp jawline, and a defined Adam's apple. Her gaze fell on the row of faint bite marks on his collarbone. Her chest felt as if it had been pierced. Luke's body was tainted and filthy. At that moment, Vespera felt like smothering him with a pillow. ... When Luke woke up, Vespera was already out of bed. He headed downstairs and found Vespera in an apron. She had prepared breakfast for both of them and called him over to eat. "Your fever just subsided. Why didn't you sleep a little longer?" Luke walked over and attempted to touch her forehead. However, Vespera subtly dodged his hand and replied, "It's just a minor cold. No big deal." She untied her apron and sat down. Luke looked at his empty hand and felt a bit awkward. However, he didn't dwell on it after seeing that she seemed calm and no longer upset. After Luke took his seat, Vespera said, "I want to discuss something with you." "What is it?" Luke asked, taking a sip of juice. "I want to quit my job." Vespera's words caught Luke off guard. Before he could ask why, she explained, "I've been working nonstop for years, and I'm tired. I want to experience the comfortable life of a wealthy lady for a change." Luke studied her as if trying to gauge the sincerity behind her words. "Are you serious?" "Dead serious. Do you think I'm a workaholic who doesn't know how to enjoy life?" She smiled as she countered. Luke thought for a moment, then nodded. "It might be good for you to stop working. You can stay at home, and we can take the opportunity to start a family." Vespera smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She sneered inwardly. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? I'd turn into a baby-making machine while you continue your nightly escapades with your sugar baby. Keep dreaming." "I'll handle the resignation process in the next few days. I'm thinking of traveling to Elouber. I've already made plans with Becca. It's been a while since I've taken a trip." "Isn't she busy with her work at the law firm? She has time to travel with you?" "She's busy, but she made time for me," Vespera said with a bright smile. Luke was momentarily speechless as if something had occurred to him. After a while, he added, "It's good to go and relax. I'll arrange the itinerary for you in advance. You won't have to worry about anything. Just enjoy yourself." Vespera smiled again, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. By then, she'd be bidding Luke farewell. The wound on her forehead was noticeable, and Vespera didn't want to appear at the company in such a pitiful state during her resignation process. So, she took a few extra days off from work to recover. With time to spare, she began leisurely packing her clothes, shoes, bags, and other miscellaneous items, moving them bit by bit to her new place—a little today, a little tomorrow. The closet was noticeably emptying. Anyone paying the slightest attention would have noticed. Yet, Luke remained completely oblivious. Even when she burned their wedding photos in the yard in front of him, he was too engrossed in his phone, occasionally chuckling or typing out cheerful replies. If only he had spared a second to glance out the floor-to-ceiling window at his wife. Vespera stood in the fading sunlight, watching him as he smiled widely. She stared at him for a long time. It wasn't until the lighter burned her fingertips that she finally let go, her heart sinking into an abyss of despair. The flames devoured the gasoline, casting a flickering glow over the two figures in the wedding photo inside the metal barrel. She had looked so radiant and happy, and his eyes had once been filled with affection. But slowly, their faces twisted, melted, and crumbled into a pile of black ash. A suffocating pressure tightened around her heart. As she stared at the ashes, her vision blurred with unshed tears. "What are you burning?" Luke finally noticed the commotion outside and stepped out to investigate. Vespera tilted her head back, forcing down the storm of emotions threatening to spill over. "Nothing, just some..." She turned to look at him, her eyes slightly red before finishing her sentence. "Useless trash."