Julia stood there, momentarily dazed, still not used to the idea of having a husband.
With her recent days consumed by her thesis and joining a new film crew, she had completely forgotten that she was married.
"What are you standing around for? Go upstairs and clean yourself up!" Zoey urged.
Julia felt uncomfortable with Zoey's words. What did she mean by "clean yourself up"? It made her feel like she was just some kind of... tool for pleasure.
Julia didn't want to argue with her. Zoey had a sharp tongue and was quick to insult; there was no point in getting into a spat with her.
"Got it," Julia replied, and then headed upstairs.
Zoey pouted and returned to her room, standing in front of the mirror and examining herself.
She pushed up her chest, muttering, "I don't get what he sees in that woman. My chest is bigger! My face is prettier! It's just not fair! So unfair!"
Upstairs, Julia enjoyed a long, refreshing shower. Her husband was coming back today, and no matter what, he was still her husband. She needed to let him know about her schedule.
What made Julia happy was that she had taken a test a few days ago and found out she wasn't pregnant.
That was a relief, as she didn't have to worry about whose child she might be carrying.
Even though her husband had been absent for a year, she still wanted to have a child soon. She figured she could discuss it with him today.
With that in mind, Julia finished her shower and packed her belongings.
She didn't have much to pack; a small suitcase was enough.
Everything was set up, but the man hadn't returned yet.
Early tomorrow morning, they had to head to the Swan City Film Base for shooting.
Despite its name, Swan City Film Base wasn't an actual city but a filming site.
Almost all historical dramas were shot there. It was about thirty miles from the center of Zenith City, not too far.
Even though it wasn't far, there was an opening ceremony early in the morning. It was her first time attending such a ceremony, and missing it would be a shame.
Julia started feeling drowsy without realizing it. She lay on the bed, trying to stay awake, but soon fell asleep.
As usual, Royce arrived late at night. The moment he came in, Zoey turned off the main power switch of the house.
Royce had been incredibly busy that week. When he found out Julia was joining a film crew, he just had to come over; he missed her terribly.
He had never been with a woman before, but once he started with Julia, he couldn't stop himself.
Stepping into the room, he saw Julia lying on the bed in her pajamas, without a blanket covering her. Her alluring figure stirred his desires.
Without a word, Royce climbed on top of her.
Julia wasn't in a deep sleep. She woke up as soon as Royce approached, remembering she had something to discuss with him.
"Wait a minute..." Julia managed to escape Royce's kisses and reached for the bedside lamp switch.
Click!
The light didn't turn on!
Julia pressed the switch several more times, but the lamp remained off.
What was going on?
"Is the light broken?"
Just as Julia hesitated, Royce had already pulled her hand back, his hot, wet kisses once again claiming her lips.
She tried to speak several times, but Royce gave her no chance.
Once more, he tore open her nightgown...
His desire was fierce, leaving her no opportunity to utter a word.
It wasn't until midnight that Royce noticed how utterly exhausted Julia was beneath him, and he finally stopped.
With his back to her, Royce began to dress.
Somehow, in the darkness, he managed to distinguish his clothes with ease, his movements fluid and confident.
Julia's fingertips twitched—tired, sore...
But she still managed to lift her eyelids. "Husband..."
Hearing this, Royce suddenly paused. That faint, almost breathless voice brought a trace of joy to his eyes.
It was the first time he had heard her call him that.
For some reason, he liked it. He really liked it.
"Let's... have a baby," Julia said weakly.
Royce couldn't speak; he was worried about revealing his identity. So, he quickly finished dressing and left.
That tall figure flashed through the darkness, and the door closed with a loud "bang."
Julia's thoughts were a bit scattered. He wasn't speaking—did that mean he agreed or disagreed?
Too exhausted to ponder further, she drifted off into a deep sleep.
Royce descended the stairs. In the living room, Zoey had lit a few candles, providing a modest amount of light. Upon seeing Royce, she quickly turned on the circuit breaker and blew out the candles.
"Sir, you must be tired. Would you like a late-night snack?" Zoey hurriedly approached him.
Royce ignored her and sat down on the couch. "Get me some paper and a pen."
Zoey didn't dare delay and swiftly placed the requested items beside Royce.
Royce quickly scribbled something and handed it to Zoey.
Zoey glanced at it; it seemed to be English words, but she couldn't quite understand them.
"Give this to Mrs. Avery when she wakes up in the morning. Tell her that from now on, she needs to report her whereabouts to me."
"Yes, sir."
Royce stood up and left.
When Julia woke up, it was already ten in the morning. She glanced at the time and realized she had missed the opening ceremony.
The ceremony was scheduled for nine o'clock this morning; it was probably over by now!
She lay on the bed, letting her body sink into the blankets.
That man always had to be so ruthless!
She probably had bruises all over her body again! Since she had already missed the opening ceremony today, there was no need to rush.
After sleeping a bit longer, Julia finally got up, dragging her luggage downstairs. She ignored Zoey and headed straight for the door when Zoey suddenly called out to her.
"Hey! The gentleman left this note for you!" Zoey handed a small piece of paper to Julia.
Julia took the note, but the English words on it made no sense to her. She looked at Zoey, confused.
Clearing her throat, Zoey took on an authoritative tone, "The gentleman said you need to report your whereabouts to him from now on!"
"Oh." Julia thought for a moment. She didn't have her husband's phone number, so this was probably a WeChat ID. She took out her phone and tried adding the ID, and sure enough, she found him!
Zoey observed everything keenly.
Julia scoffed. This man was really sly, not even giving her a phone number. Most people's WeChat IDs were their phone numbers, but he had to be different, clearly trying to keep her at arm's length.
"Zoey, the lamp in my bedroom is broken. It wouldn't turn on no matter what I did yesterday. Could you check it and fix it if it's broken?"
"You want me to fix the lamp?" Zoey glared at Julia with her hands on her hips, as if questioning her right to give orders.
"I think if your gentleman comes back and finds the lamp broken, he wouldn't be too happy, right?"
Zoey snorted even more arrogantly, "Don't worry, the gentleman doesn't need a lamp! He doesn't need any household appliances!"
Julia furrowed her brows, sensing there was more to Zoey's words than met the ear. "What do you mean?" she asked.