Refusing 19
Chapter 19 664%0
The weather was as fickle as ever, with a sudden downpour accompanied by a biting cold wind.
Julia reached Arya's residence at ten in the evening, ignoring the persistent calls from Harry. He had given her the door code, which she used to unlock the door with a creak.
The interior was engulfed in darkness, the moonlight obscured by thick clouds. Julia groped for the light switch near the entrance and flipped it on, flooding the room with light.
This was Julia's first time in what she knew as Harry's love nest, decked out in bubblegum pink-a clear reflection of Arya's preferences.
Despite his dislike for pink, Harry tolerated this garish decor daily, a testament to his affection for Arya.
Julia searched the house but found no sign of Arya. A memory flashed through her mind, and she walked back to the door. There, she spotted the discarded takeout food and couldn't help but chuckle. Julia tried calling Arya but got no response.
Then Harry called again. This time, Julia hesitated but eventually answered.
Julia Wright! Is this how you look after Arya? Do you realize she's still recovering from her illness?" Harry yelled.
I've never been good at caregiving, Harry. But you insisted I look after Arya. What else can I do!" Julia snapped back. Besides, she's an adult. Shouldn't she be able to look after herself?" *Julia, go find Arya now. If anything happens to her, I won't take it lightly." Harry said sternly.
Julia's brow furrowed. She had known Harry for three years and had never heard him so forceful. Her anger surged. "If you're that concerned, why don't you find someone else to care for her? "If Arya hadn't said she gets along with you, do you think I would have asked you?" Harry retorted.
That revelation stoked Julia's anger further, Clearly, Arya had ulterior motives, likely scheming to create trouble while Harry
was away.
Julia was too upset to continue the conversation. If Arya wanted to play games, she was perfectly poised to do so. Faking illnesses and vanishing acts were just the kind of tactics Arya would employ. The rain intensified, and in Harry's mind, Arya seemed incredibly vulnerable. Even a missed meal could land her in a precarious state, let alone being caught in a downpour.
Reluctantly, Julia made several attempts to call Arya, knowing well that she might not get a response. After several unanswered calls, she grabbed her car keys, determined to find Arya herself. As Julia's search continued with no sign of Arya, her phone rang It was Harry, and his voice was as cold as the rain outside, chilling Julia to the bone. "Arya is in the hospital," he announced sharply. "If anything happens to Arya, you'll regret it," he warned.
Julia hung up without responding, her suspicions confirmed. Arya had ended up in the hospital, whether from the rain or hunger, and Harry would undoubtedly blame her.
Julia couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for Arya's ruthless tactics. To achieve her ends, Arya wouldn't hesitate to harm herself
When Julia arrived at the hospital, she found Arya awake in her hospital room, looking pale and fragile. The nurse was just Chapter 19
finishing up changing her medication
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"Arya, did I underestimate you?" Julia asked, her arms crossed as she looked down at Arya with an expression of skepticism. "Playing disappearing acts, faking illnesses?"© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Julia, I really don't know what you mean," Arya replied weakly, managing to sit up after the nurse left. "I just thought about going to the airport to find Harry
Julia pulled up a chair and sat down firmly, fixing her gaze on Arya's tear-filled eyes. "Your act might play well for Harry, but it doesn't fool me. We're alone now; you can drop the pretense."
Arya gave a weak chuckle. "Julia, I'm not acting. I was genuinely frightened and lonely. I didn't want to disturb you, so I thought I'd try to find Harry myself"
Julia's frustration was palpable. "Arya, if you really wanted to see Harry, you could have just told me. I would have taken you to him."
"Would you really have taken me? But Harry is so busy; I didn't want to trouble him," Arya responded, her voice soft
Julia was usually laid-back, but Arya brought out a different side of her. "You're just trying to stir up trouble, and it looks like you've managed to do just that." "Julia, how can you say that? I really didn't mean to," Arya responded, her voice dripping with innocence.
Julia felt her stomach turn at Arya's act. She had never met anyone so skilled at manipulating others.
It was no surprise Harry was so taken with her; some men seemed to fall for that kind of act-sweet, gentle, fragile, obedient, and always playing the victim.
"I don't mind if you call me Mrs. Wright, Julia said suddenly, breaking the tension. "After all, Harry and I are married. You always call me by my name, which feels a bit closer, don't you think? We should be colder than that." Arya's smug smile quickly faded, replaced by a look of disdain. "Mrs. Wright? Do you think you deserve that title? If I weren't going abroad for treatment, would you even stand a chance at being called that?"
"Dropping the act, are you?" Julia smirked. 'Maybe now we can have an honest conversation. Julia was unfazed by Arya's threats.
Arya turned away, her voice cold. "I'm in the hospital because you left me alone at home. Harry won't just let this go."
"I know, So what? Do you think you can make Harry divorce met Julia challenged.
Inside, she hoped Harry would divorce her soon. Despite her repeated suggestions, Harry had resisted. It wasn't that she was clinging to him; he was the one who wouldn't let go.
Even with Arya back in the picture, Harry still hadn't agreed to a divorce. Julia couldn't fathom why.
"Julia, Harry divorcing you is inevitable. All I need to do is show him how malicious you really are. Arya said confidently.
"Alright, then. You might need to try a bit harder to bring out that side of me, Julia said as she stood up slowly. "I'm quite curious to see it myself."
Arya had skipped dinner, gotten soaked in the rain, and her stomach pain had intensified with the cold.
Julia seemed almost rejuvenated after their confrontation. With a hint of mischief, she said, "Harry is extremely worried about you. I'm about to update him. Any guesses on what I'll tell him?" Before leaving Julia nonchalantly picked up Arya's phone and made a call to Harry from the hallway.
hu, Nov 14
"How is Arya?" Harry's voice came through anxiously.
Without missing a beat. Julia responded, "She's hanging in there, not going anywhere?"