Chapter 28: Jealousy
Upon hearing Philip’s words, Jared paused mid–meal to cast a penetrating glance at Julia’s phone.
Julia pursed her lips, a smirk evident. “So, Natalia’s being generous, finding me a partner? What is he, a man in his fifties or sixties?”
“You should be so lucky,” Philip retorted icily. “Given your current reputation, do you really expect to snag a wealthy nobleman?”
Julia arched an eyebrow, well aware of Natalia’s intentions. “What’s
wrong with
with my reputation? I was deceived by a scheming man and betrayed by a so–called ‘angelic‘ woman. How am I not the victim here?”
“I won’t waste my time arguing with you,” Philip snapped. “Just be clear: you’re attending that blind date this weekend.”
Leaning back casually, Julia speared a meatball with her fork and took a leisurely bite. “What if I refuse?”
Philip’s voice grew shrill. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
There was a brief, heated silence before the line went dead. Julia quickly added Philip’s number to her phone’s block list.
Shiloh shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. “You’re quite the dutiful daughter,” he remarked sarcastically.
Rolling her eyes, Julia shot back, “Would you prefer him as your father?”
Shiloh scoffed, opting not to respond.
Jared, meanwhile, had been observing the exchange. He looked from Julia to her phone, a hint of concern evident. “Are you truly declining the blind date?”
Julia met his gaze steadily. “I’m married. Why would I go on a blind date? Unless you want me to embarrass you?”
Her words might have been spoken in jest, but to Jared, they sounded like sweet
music.
“Do you really think you have the right to shame my brother like that?” Shiloh said, his displeasure evident in his voice.
“Here, eat,” Julia said, picking up a pea with her fork and placing it into Shiloh’s bowl. Staring at the pea, a disturbing thought crossed Shiloh’s mind. There was a chance that Julia’s fork had her saliva on it, contaminating the pea. Overwhelmed with disgust, he was about to discard the pea when Jared intercepted it with his own fork. “What a waste,” Jared commented nonchalantly, popping the pea into his mouth.
Shiloh’s
s widened in disbelief. The man known for his obsession with cleanliness
was eating food that someone else had touched!
“Brother, Julia was the one who put that in my bowl,” Shiloh felt the need to point out. “And your point is?” Jared replied coolly.
Lost for words, Shiloh just stared, processing the unexpected scene. Before he could fully gather his thoughts, Jared addressed Julia, “He’s particular about cleanliness. In the future, avoid serving him directly.”
Julia nodded, recognizing the undeniable bond between the two, both grappling with serious illnesses.
“I see,” Julia interjected, a sudden recollection prompting her to gaze at Shiloh. “Don’t hurry back to your room after dinner. I need to administer an injection and adjust your medication for the day.”
“Got it,” Shiloh responded, his voice calm as he delicately raised his leg, managing a slight movement despite its limitations.
In all honesty, Shiloh held reservations about Julia’s approach toward his brother. Nevertheless, he conceded to Julia’s remarkable medical prowess. Despite his brother’s history of consulting renowned physicians and experimenting with valuable herbal treatments, his legs resembled withered tree roots – devoid of vitality and gradually diminishing.
After dinner, Julia meticulously cleansed her hands before heading to Shiloh. In a purposeful manner, she gently raised the blanket that covered his legs.
Whenever Julia lifted the blanket concealing Shiloh’s legs, an uncontrollable blush would creep onto his cheeks. Due to the necessity of tending to his legs, he had taken to wearing exceptionally short shorts.
Despite being 24 years old, Shiloh’s interactions with women had remained platonic due to his leg disability, making Julia the first woman to breach that boundary.
Truth be told, the woman who had administered his injections possessed a striking charm; her beauty was undeniable. However, Shiloh perceived something beyond her mere appearance. He harbored a suspicion that her intentions toward his brother were far from pure.
