Chapter 61
Alicia said it like it was a given, like Jonathan was some kind of god that nobody could question.
I snickered and went right at Alica, turning the living room into a warzone.
Jonathan furrowed his brows. He lowered his gaze and turned to Alicia. “Head back first, Alicia.”
Alicia asked, “But what about Mr. Ford Senior?”
“I’ll get someone to bring the lunchbox to Grandpa,” he interrupted without hesitation. He was clearly trying to send her on her way.
Alicia wanted to say something, but the chill in his eyes stopped her short. She just pursed her lips and flashed a sweet smile. “Alright, Jonathan. I’ll come back another day. I won’t put you in a tough spot.”
With that, she walked away, looking over her shoulder every few steps.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle stayed where she was, watching me with concern. Jonathan coldly glanced at her.” Why are you still sticking around?”
She didn’t want to leave, but she was afraid of going against him.
I managed a faint smile and said, “You should head back. I’ll be fine.”
Before I could say another word, Jonathan picked me up in his arms. I screamed as my legs dangled in
the air, clinging to his neck without thinking.
When I wrapped my arms around him, I saw his expression soften, albeit it was just a little.
Holding me in his arms, he headed up the stairs without saying a word. Even on the winding steps, he was
steady, as if I weighed nothing.
When we made it to the second floor, I glanced in Gabrielle’s direction. Seeing she was already gone, I
breathed a sigh of relief.
Jonathan’s deep voice came from above me. “Funny how you always seem to worry about her.”
I was taken aback for a moment before realizing he was talking about Gabrielle. “She’s my best friend.
What’s wrong with caring about her?”
My tone was sharp, All I wanted was to shut him down.
Just as expected, Jonathan knitted his brows together, his expression turning grim. He carried me into
the bedroom and tossed me onto his bed.
I immediately sat up. He stood at the bedside, towering over me. “You’ll stay here for the next few days.
and reflect on your behavior.”
After saying that, he turned around and left. I started to run after him but stopped in my tracks. After all, I
knew it was pointless to make a scene.
A few days had passed. I was still stuck in this room and cut off from the outside world.
Every day, one of the housekeepers would bring me meals right on time and try to talk some sense into me. “You should eat, Ms. Sawyer. You know how Mr. Ford is. Why not just give in a little? Otherwise, you’re only making things harder on yourself.”
Hugh would visit me now and then. “Enough is enough, Ms. Swyer. If you keep pushing, Mr. Ford is only going to grow more distant. I know you’re doing all this to get Mr. Ford’s attention. I might have worked at first, but it will just wear him down. If you keep this up-”
I shouted, “Get lost!”
With a blank expression, I took the tray from his hands and turned to leave. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Edward standing at the end of the hallway.
He acted like I didn’t exist for many days, so I never imagined he would suddenly show up.
He coughed a few times, his hair completely white. He held a cane topped with a carved lion’s head, its top worn smooth from years of use–like a well–aged antique.
Edward still looked sharp and healthy, making it hard to believe he was already nearing his end. But I couldn’t be bothered to waste my energy on someone who was practically one foot in the grave.
I didn’t greet him, and I didn’t roll my eyes at him either. Instead, I just walked back to my room with a blank face.
I could feel his gaze lingering on me as the door shut. He eventually turned away, shaking his head like he had already given up on me.
I scoffed. What was he so let down about? How dare he act so full of himself? I was the one who should be disappointed.
