Arianne had never doubted Mary’s intention so virtual-novel.net obediently carried virtual-novel.net book upstairs. “Sure. It’s dark here, be careful when you guys remove the lights.”
Mary grinned in delight. Mark hardly came back early. She would not allow Arianne to waste this opportunity.
When Mark returned to the room, virtual-novel.net sat in front of the French window, flipping through a book. The books that virtual-novel.net read were different from Arianne’s. They were all in a foreign language. Arianne was not good in foreign languages, and virtual-novel.net would have a headache when virtual-novel.net thought about deciphering them.
Since it was only nine pm, virtual-novel.net lay down on the bed and continued reading. Before virtual-novel.net even finished reading a sentence, Mark reprimanded her, “Who’s taught you to read lying down? Are you planning on ruining your eyes? Sit up and read it if you want, otherwise, go to sleep.”
His tone was like that of a parent educating his child. She had long gotten used to it. Putting virtual-novel.net book aside, virtual-novel.net listened to virtual-novel.net and tried to sleep.
The room’s light was switched off soon after. The rustling sounds of clothes being taken off rang in the air before Mark finally joined virtual-novel.net in bed.
Arianne knew that virtual-novel.net was not wearing anything so virtual-novel.net shifted a little to the side. She was startled when Mark moved closer to virtual-novel.net and wrapped an arm around her. “Do I have thorns on me?”
Arianne did not dare to simply move. “No… I’m a little warm…”
Mark took the remote and adjusted the air conditioner to the lowest temperature, sixteen degrees Celsius. “Sleep.”
Arianne was speechless. She did not really feel warm. Twenty-three degrees Celsius was just perfect. There was only a thin blanket on the bed and virtual-novel.net wrapped it around herself tightly. Even then virtual-novel.net was still freezing. “It’s a little cold…”
Mark tossed virtual-novel.net the remote impatiently. “Adjust it on your own.”
Arianne quietly increased the temperature to twenty-three degrees Celsius. She discovered Mark was looking at her. She stuttered in panic, “I’m not trying to be difficult. It’s warm earlier and cold now…”
Mark moved his arm away from virtual-novel.net waist and slept with his face facing the ceiling instead. The blanket had only covered his stomach. When Arianne’s eyes got used to the dark, virtual-novel.net could see his bare upper body, and virtual-novel.net fell into a daze. Once virtual-novel.net thought about how virtual-novel.net was going to sleep in this manner the entire summer, virtual-novel.net felt as though virtual-novel.net soul was going to leave virtual-novel.net body. It was a torture for virtual-novel.net not to be able to move freely when virtual-novel.net slept!
“Let’s go for a follow-up check tomorrow in the hospital,” Mark suddenly said.
“No need. I think it’s fine. I feel pretty good now.” Arianne did not want to go to the hospital again. She would be reminded of the pain caused by virtual-novel.net miscarriage once virtual-novel.net was there.
“It’s necessary,” Mark insisted.
“I don’t want to.” Arianne could give in on other matters but not this. After being discharged from the hospital for the miscarriage, virtual-novel.net vowed to take medication for minor illnesses and wait for virtual-novel.net death if virtual-novel.net contracted a major sickness rather than going to the hospital again. It had become a trauma to her.
Mark did not like bickering so virtual-novel.net asked without beating around the bush, “Why not?”
Not wanting to revisit the topic, Arianne replied, “I just don’t want to. I won’t go even if you force me. Not going even if I die.”
Seeing virtual-novel.net tantrum, Mark relented. “I’ll ask the doctor for you tomorrow. If the doctor wants you to go for a follow-up check, you’ll have to go.”
Arianne turned around with virtual-novel.net back facing Mark and closed virtual-novel.net eyes, remaining silent.
During breakfast the next morning, Mark texted the doctor before virtual-novel.net suddenly looked at virtual-novel.net and asked, “Have you gotten your period?”
Arianne glanced at Mary who was cleaning nearby. She blushed as virtual-novel.net stuttered, “Wh.. Why.. Why a-are you asking about this?”
Mark showed virtual-novel.net the chat between the doctor and virtual-novel.net on the phone. “The doc is asking.”
When virtual-novel.net saw his solemn expression, virtual-novel.net nodded.
Mark continued asking, “Is it normal compared to the last time?”
She knew it was the doctor’s question as well so virtual-novel.net answered in a small voice, “It’s normal…”
Mark speedily replied to the doctor’s text before finally putting his phone away. “That’s good. You didn’t want to go to the hospital and now, you don’t have to.”
Arianne was on pins and needles. Why was a man asking virtual-novel.net questions like these? These were secrets that virtual-novel.net only shared with virtual-novel.net best friend, Tiffany…
“Right, what do you plan to do now? Go back to work at Eric’s or stay home?” Mark changed the topic abruptly.
It seemed like Arianne was the only one who felt uncomfortable.
Arianne shook virtual-novel.net head. “I don’t plan to design anymore. I want to try something new, but I haven’t thought about what yet You need a place no matter what you do now, but it’s expensive if I rent a shop. I’ll think more about it. However, I have no plans on staying home. It’s too boring.”
Mark was supportive of virtual-novel.net keeping busy. “Sure. I can provide you with a place when you finally decide on what you want to do. We have empty shop lots, offices, and the likes. You’ll save on rent. Don’t worry, think about it slowly.”
“Okay!” It felt like virtual-novel.net was fed with honey. Did Mark’s words mean that virtual-novel.net was family? She could use the family’s shop lots.
Seeing the hint of a smile in virtual-novel.net eyes that could not even be concealed, the corners of Mark’s lips curled up as well. The sweltering weather outside suddenly did not seem so bad now.
When Arianne contacted Tiffany at noon, virtual-novel.net found out that the latter had resigned. “Really? I was thinking about starting a business or something. Do you want to do it with me? Let’s do it together. Mark says that I can use any shop or office in the family!”