Chapter 45
I was a bit taken aback. He said my hands weren’t for cooking.
I’d expected him to be pleased.
Jack stood calmly, his tone even.”And you don’t need to do this to win my favor.”
I felt a tightness in my chest; I had just instinctively wanted to do something. But Jack seemed to see right through me.
I touched a strand of hair behind my ear.”Well, okay then.”
“The housekeeper will be here soon.”
I didn’t press the issue.
I stole another glance at Jack.
He seemed so…capable.
Just like the person I’d had a crush on in my past life.
That person had always tried to show me how poorly my brothers treated me, but I refused to believe it, leading to my tragic end.
Jack’s way of speaking reminded me so much of him!
As I pondered this, I began to doubt whether Jack was indeed the person from my past life.
I was caught in a dilemma.
If only I could meet that person again in this life, I would surely recognize him.
The housekeeper arrived shortly, swiftly preparing a meal. I noticed the dishes were all Barbecued Ribs, Fried Chicken. Just looking at it made my mouth water. I focused intently on my
my favorites:
meal.
Jack watched me.”Can’t you get these kind of food at your family’s house?”
I paused with my chopsticks.”Chloe had a delicate stomach and couldn’t eat spicy food, so meals were always bland.” So, I hardly ever got to eat what I loved at home.
Jack felt a lump in his throat, as if his heart was stuffed with cotton, making it hard to breathe. Here I was, a rich girl, yet living worse than an ordinary girl. He should have come sooner.
I ate until my stomach was full, wiping my mouth and glancing at Jack.
He was eating elegantly, his movements graceful.
I was momentarily stunned, thinking about how I had just devoured my food.
The contrast was striking.
I was amazed that someone could eat so beautifully.
Jack calmly lowered his chopsticks.”Have you seen enough?”
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I quickly averted my gaze, muttering, “How would you know I was looking at you if you weren’t looking at me?”
After dinner, I went to the study to review. Jack sat in the living room, then went to the balcony to make a call. Leaning on the railing, he said, “Find out who confessed to Alice this afternoon.”
“Dude, someone confessed to the little girl! That’s good news.”
Jack’s tone was cold. “It’s from the private high school next door; I heard he’s the campus heartthrob transferred from Washington.”
“Oh, it’s him. I already know who it is without checking. Garrett, my uncle’s son. He got into trouble back in Washington and had to transfer to New York.”
Jack’s brow furrowed. “Warn his family to stay away from Alice.”
“You’re being overprotective. Everyone does silly things when they’re young. Plus, she’s going to college soon. She’ll date other guys.”
“Shut up, she can’t be distracted right now.”
Jack looked towards the study. I was quietly working on my homework.
Andrew continued to press, “Alright, I’ll mention it to my uncle later, but Jack, aren’t you being a bit too nosy? What if she likes Garrett? He’s got that charming playboy look and knows how to woo girls. Maybe Alice’s interested.”
Jack’s tone was sharp. “If your IQ matched your nonsense, your mom would be at ease.”
“Dude, I just said a couple of things, and you’re already mad? Just a reminder, you’re a man with a fiancee; don’t forget who you met at the restaurant yesterday.”
“Mind your own business.”
Jack hung up, then walked into the study. He glanced at my papers.”You’re going too slow. Don’t you know this?”
“I’m trying my best.”
I felt a stomach ache and was easily distracted. Maybe it was because of the spicy food.
Jack noticed my pale face and listless demeanor. He touched my forehead; I wasn’t feverish. “What’s wrong?”
I felt the coolness of his hand.”Stomach ache. Probably from the spicy food.” I hadn’t eaten like that in a long time, so my stomach probably couldn’t handle it.
Jack retrieved some digestive tablets and a glass of water. I took the medicine. He took away my pen.”Stop studying. Take a break today.”
I indeed felt a bit unwell; I suspected my period had started. Just as I stood up, I felt something flow out.
My expression stiffened; I knew this would happen.
I rushed to the bathroom and saw the bright red stain-my period had indeed arrived.
What to do?
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It suddenly hit me that I was at the apartment, not at the Welch household.
I hadn’t bought any sanitary pads.
I’d planned to buy some on my way home, but first there was Garrett’s confession, then Luke’s intervention…
In the end, I completely forgot about it.
Jack waited outside, knocking after a while.”Did you fall in?”
I hesitated. “Can you get me something?”
“Sure, come out first.”
I was embarrassed.”I can’t right now.”
Jack’s brow furrowed.”What’s wrong? Tell me!”
“I got my period.” I blushed.
Growing up,
issues.
I had only my brothers around, and they were all male, so they didn’t know much about girls’
When I first got my period, it was the maid who helped me.
Jack paused.”Your…period?”
“Yes.” My voice was soft and hesitant.
Jack breathed a sigh of relief.”I’ll get it. Wait here.”
I sat on the toilet, feeling strangely calm.
Jack went to the nearest convenience store. He stood before the shelf of sanitary pads, deep in thought.
The cashier, a young woman, lit up seeing such a handsome man. But when she saw him staring at the pads, she felt a pang of sympathy—he was buying them for his girlfriend.
She approached. “Sir, for your girlfriend? Day or night-time? We have liquid sanitary pads that are great summer, just a bit pricey.”
for
Jack pointed.”All of them.”
“All of them?”
The man nodded coolly.”Yes.”
“She won’t use all of that in a month. You could buy one of each type and see which one your girlfriend prefers.”
Jack said flatly,”Okay,”
The cashier quickly packed the pads.”Does your girlfriend need brown sugar water?”
Jack paused. “Yes.”
The cashier added a pack of brown sugar water and chocolate, secretly envying the girl. How did she find someone so handsome and caring?
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As Jack walked back, another man popped up beside him.”Jack, why did you buy so much?”
Andrew’s eyes
widened.”If I’m not mistaken, those are sanitary pads? Jack, you have this hobby now?”
Jack had never been this thoughtful before. This wasn’t good. He and that girl are destined for no good end.
Chapter 46
Jack shot a cold glance over:”What are you doing here?”
“I just came to keep you company.”
“You can leave.”
Jack walked into the room with his hands in his pockets, but Andrew followed him:”So heartless? I’m not going anywhere.”
Jack walked inside, carrying the bag, but Andrew followed him into the elevator. He peeked into the bag.”Brown sugar water? Is the little lady on her period?”
Jack replied simply, “Yes.”
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Jack actually bought feminine products and brown sugar water-how considerate!”
Jack had never been this gentle or considerate with girls. It was always been girls orbiting around Jack.
“Take it easy later, don’t scare her.”
After giving his instructions, Jack returned to the apartment and knocked on the bathroom door:”I brought the stuff back.”
I, hearing his voice, finally dragged myself over, my face flushed.
I opened the door a crack and extended my delicate hand.
Jack directly handed over the bag, and my hand felt the weight-did he really buy this much?
Closing the door, I saw various brands of pads. I couldn’t help but smile. He probably didn’t know which one girls use, so he bought them all.
After changing, I came out to find a young man sitting on the sofa.
I felt awkward.
Andrew waved.”Hi, kiddo, I’m Jack’s best friend.”
“Oh, it’s you.” I remembered that Jack’s friend had offered me his apartment. Even the restaurant incident where Jack kicked out my brother and Chloe, it had been because of him.
“Did Jack mention me? Did he say anything bad?”
“Nope, I’m just crashing in your room and wanted to thank you in person.” Andrew grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of apartments. I’m not here often.”
Jack emerged from the kitchen, carrying a cup of brown sugar water, handing it to me.
I was surprised. Jack was actually very thoughtful.
I held the warm cup.”Thank you.”
Jack said calmly, “Finish it and get some rest.”
I nodded, slowly sipping the drink, feeling much better. It had been years since someone had shown me such care. I stole a glance at Jack. But he was probably just feeling sorry for me, right? After all, I had shamelessly lingered in the infirmary to do my homework.
Remembering Jack with a beautiful woman at the restaurant, I reminded myself he probably dated a lot. He was older than me, handsome, and surely plenty of girls chased after him.
I quickly averted my gaze, went to the study to pack my bag, and then returned to my apartment. Once in my
I received a call from Noah.”Alice, Luke put so much effort into that apology. What are you not satisfied with?”
My voice was cold.”His apology was fake; he just wants me to join his team.”
“He was sincere, Alice. What did he do wrong? Tell me, and I’ll make him change.” Noah hoped I would
reconcile with Luke.
“I’ll say it again. I’m not joining the team, and I’m not forgiving him.”
After saying that, I hung up. I had seen through Luke’s tricks and wouldn’t fall for it.
After I left, Andrew teased, “Jack, weren’t you a little too nice to her?”
“You talk too much.”
“I’m just saying to remind
you,
have you
underestimated your charm? What girl can resist? Plus, with you being so nice to her, what if she ends up liking you?” Andrew had noticed the way I looked at Jack. It was easy to read the little girl’s emotions.
Jack sat on the sofa. “She likes someone else.”
“Who?”
“She didn’t say.”
Andrew chuckled. “If she didn’t say, then there’s a problem. It might be you.”
Jack’s lips tightened. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“I’m just warning you, don’t end up tangled with her while you’re still tied up in your own issues. There are many ways to help her, but being this nice-maybe it’s a bit much?”
“You don’t know what she’s been through at home.”
“She’s got six brothers! How could she have a bad time?”
Jack’s voice was low. “But there’s also her stepsister, the driver’s daughter. The family is so close to that girl, and Alice’s always been neglected, treated unfairly.”
He’d initially thought I had a great life, but now he saw the little girl’s vulnerability. It made his heart ache. He couldn’t help but be kind to me.
After hearing this, Andrew sighed. “I knew something was wrong with her brothers’ attitude. I thought she was just being difficult; there was more to it. Just now I saw this girl’s look, not quite like the rumor said.”
Who in their right mind would show such favoritism? Protecting a stepdaughter over their own flesh and blood?
