Edward didn’t sleep well through the night. His stomach had become sensitive, and even medication only provided slight relief. It was far from recovery or comfort.
He woke up early before the alarm rang. As he stepped out of his room, he nearly collided with Macie, who was leaving her room that was just across the corridor.
“What are you doing?” he asked instinctively.
“Making breakfast,” Macie replied flatly as she stumbled toward the kitchen.
Edward stood frozen in place. He had always woken up and had breakfast without paying attention to who prepared the meals. It never occurred to him that she had been waking up at 5:00 am every morning to cook.
Watching her slightly unsteady figure, he said, “You don’t have to.”
Macie stopped in her tracks and turned her head back.
For two years, she had attended to Edward. She had to get up and cook even when she had a fever. He had tormented her in every possible way. This was the first time he had told her that she didn’t have to cook.
Looking down at her injured foot, she wondered if he had finally grown a conscience after seeing what he had done to her.
But he soon added, “You don’t have to prepare dinner either. I’m eating out with Sharon.”
With that, he walked out the door without looking back.
Macie glanced at the door and curled her lips in a self-deprecating smile. She inwardly sneered. She wondered if he even had a conscience and thought that she was just being delusional.
Not having to cook suited her just fine. She was tired of serving him anyway.
She went back to sleep and got up at 8:00 am to change the dressing on her wounds, only to realize that the gastric pills were missing from the first-aid kit.
She frowned slightly when she remembered that her door hadn’t been locked this morning when she opened it. Did she forget to lock it last night? Or was the medicine stolen just like the last time?
She didn’t dwell on it too much. Instead, she settled down on the living room carpet with her laptop.
She logged into an online learning platform in the morning to review her university coursework. In the afternoon, she practiced coding and worked on character designs and scene illustrations on her graphics tablet.
For two years, she had stayed out of the public eye. Although she had forgotten some advanced concepts, her foundational art skills remained sharp.
She had even taken freelance commissions occasionally, earning extra income and gathering a small fanbase.
Time passed quickly. By sunset, Macie got up to fetch some water and ordered takeout. But just then, the door lock clicked.
She looked over.
A second later, the door swung open. Sharon’s beaming face came into view.
“May, I came to see you! How’s your injury?” Sharon grinned widely as she stepped inside.
Behind her was Edward, carrying groceries.
Macie’s expression remained cold as she turned away.
Sharon was the reason she had suffered burns on her skin. And now, she had the audacity to show up at her door. Sharon’s actions reminded Macie of a fox pretending to be concerned for a hen.
“May…” Sharon pouted when Macie ignored her.
“What kind of attitude is that?” Edward scolded Macie, frowning. “Sharon came to check on you and even offered to cook for you. Don’t be ungrateful.”
Macie turned back, sneering. “Suit yourselves. I don’t have an appetite, so I won’t be having dinner.”
She went to the coffee table to pack up her laptop.
Edward looked annoyed, but Sharon clung to his arm and whined, “Edward, May’s injured. Be nicer to her. Let’s go make dinner, and we’ll let her know when it’s ready.”
Macie acted as if she hadn’t heard Sharon’s saccharine voice. She continued gathering her things, ready to head back to her bedroom.
Sharon happily carried the groceries to the kitchen. As Macie passed Edward, he frowned.
“What are you doing with your laptop?”
“Watching dramas,” Macie replied without looking up.
“What about the graphics tablet?” he pressed.
“It’s a wrist rest.”
That was a blatant lie. After all, a wristrest wouldn’t have a data cable attached to it.
Ever since yesterday, Macie had been acting particularly cold toward him. It irritated him for some reason.
“Edward, come help me with the vegetables…” Sharon called sweetly from the kitchen.
Edward responded and went inside. He was unaware that Macie, who was now in her bedroom, had heard it all.
She laughed mockingly. She couldn’t believe that Edward would step into a kitchen.
She used to prepare Edward’s meals and sometimes even served them directly to him. He had never lifted a finger to help.
She once believed that Edward was one of those men who stayed away from the kitchen due to traditional views. But it turned out he would happily cook for the woman he loved.
Macie’s room had decent soundproofing, but she could still hear Sharon’s voice loud and clear. It was obvious that Sharon was raising her voice on purpose.
There was also a constant clatter of utensils. It was almost as if the kitchen was being demolished.
Macie didn’t care that an outsider had barged into the house as if they owned the place. She just found them noisy.
She tried to focus on her video tutorial when suddenly, a sharp shriek rang out. Annoyed, she put on her headphones.
Then, someone pounded on her door.
“Macie, come out,” Edward ordered.
Macie clenched her fists tightly. She had already given him and Sharon space. She didn’t know what else they wanted.
The knocking continued as if it wouldn’t stop until she opened the door.
She stood up, took a deep breath, and silently reminded herself, “Only 28 more days to go. Just bear with it…”
She opened the door.
The first thing Edward said was, “Go make dinner. Sharon isn’t used to the stove here and broke a ceramic plate. She almost got hurt.”
Macie stared at him in disbelief, thinking, “And what does that have to do with me? She broke my plate and almost got hurt. Why do I have to cook?”
Out loud, she coldly stated, “I’m injured too.”
Only then did Edward seem to remember. He glanced down at her foot.
She thought that maybe—just maybe—he had a shred of humanity left.
Then, he said, “Your hands are fine, though. Just stand still while you cook.”
