Chapter 3

Brett returned three days later. He just stared longingly as I drank my chicken soup, not saying a word.

I quickly stood up to ladle him a bowl, awkwardly saying,

“I made it. If you’re not picky, give it a try.”

Brett immediately sat down, took a spoonful, and tasted it. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled softly.

“Not bad at all. It smells delicious.”

Mrs. Davis chimed in at just the right moment.

“Mr. Thorne, Chloe isn’t just good at soup. Her fish is excellent, and her steaks are even better than mine.”

As she spoke, she brought out the fish I had just prepared.

Brett, intrigued, picked up a piece of fish with his fork. His eyes narrowed again, and he took several more bites.

“Amazing. Better than any five-star restaurant. The meat is tender and full of natural flavor.”

I couldn't help but feel a little proud.

“I marinated this fish in aromatics for thirty minutes, making sure to gently scrape off any surface slime. Then I pan-fried it on medium heat for five minutes, added a dash of soy sauce and caramel color, and let it simmer for half a minute before adding water and boiling it rapidly for ten minutes to reduce the sauce.”

Perhaps to humor me, Brett actually finished two bowls of rice and two bowls of chicken soup with the fish.

That night, after showering, I tucked myself into bed, assuming he’d just digest for a bit and then leave. But moments later, he walked in, wrapped only in a towel.

I immediately tensed up, looking at Brett and stammering,

“Brett, it’s only been three days. It’s too soon to tell. We need a few more days.”

As I spoke, I pulled the blanket tighter and scooted back.

Brett didn't say anything. He just walked to the bed, sat down, gently gripped my chin, and softly stroked my cheek.

“Does it still hurt?”

“Valentina has been spoiled rotten. Don’t hold it against her.”

He then reached out and pulled me into his arms.

Feeling the warmth of his chest, my tears suddenly flowed, uncontrollable.

Agreeing to be a surrogate for money had already left me tossing and turning every night.

And then to be slapped and called a slut, utterly powerless to refute it.

These were all facts.

Feeling my tears, Brett sighed above my head, then his lips, warm and tender, pressed against mine.

He nibbled, little by little, slowly exploring my mouth.

Brett gently kissed me again and again, until the breath was completely drawn from my lungs, leaving me gasping for air.

This time, Brett once again physically demonstrated his impressive stamina.

In my anger, I refused to give in easily, but ultimately, I was defeated and sank into a deep sleep.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already bright outside. I turned my head and my eyes widened.

“You haven’t gone to the office yet?”

Before Brett could answer, Valentina’s furious shout echoed from downstairs.

“Brett Thorne, you bastard!”

Then came a crash, likely a piece of porcelain breaking in the living room. My beautiful flowers, which I'd just bought yesterday afternoon, were probably ruined.

I quickly dressed and got out of bed, like a mistress caught in the act, urging Brett.

Before we could even get downstairs, Valentina stormed up.

She rushed over, grabbed my hair, threw me to the floor, and then kicked me.

This time, I heard Brett’s furious roar.

“Valentina, what are you doing?!”

Brett said, pulling Valentina away and shielding me behind him.

Valentina was enraged.

“Brett Thorne, you’re yelling at me for this cheap slut?!”

Brett’s face darkened.

“Valentina, can you stop being so unreasonable? She’s just having a child for us, and *you agreed to it*.”

Valentina threw herself into Brett’s arms, flailing wildly.

“Do you really need a child so badly?!”

“Brett Thorne, you’re nothing but a stud! You just want to sleep with women! Tell me, are you tired of me? Looking for someone gentler?”

As she spoke, she tried to kick me again, over Brett’s shoulder.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! You cheap sluts who sleep for money always use every seductive trick in the book to lure men like Brett! Have you no shame?!”

Seeing her words grow uglier and uglier, Brett pushed her away, roaring,

“Valentina, that’s enough! Do you have any class at all?!”

Valentina yelped as she fell to the floor, then glared at Brett with a twisted expression.

“Brett Thorne, you bastard! You actually hit me for this slut!”

“I’m breaking up with you!”

With that, she grabbed a high heel and hurled it at Brett, then burst into tears and ran downstairs.