Once Bitten, Twice Shy

As Ronald said that, he suddenly realized something and stopped midway. He uttered an abrupt 'Huh' and spoke in a different tone, "I don't think there's any special day. Mr. Barker didn't say anything to me..."

He then grabbed the apple and took two big, forceful bites. He chewed continuously to hide his unease.

Samantha did not say a word but merely stared right at him with her big beautiful eyes.

Her stare was a bit too intimidating and Ronald turned his head quietly to the other side in an attempt to avoid her stare.

However, he could still feel Samantha's intent stare even after turning his back to Samantha.

Her stare felt just like the headmaster's stare in his dream and he could not control himself from breaking out in cold sweat.

Samantha eventually spoke up after about half a minute. Instead of interrogating him any further, she asked nonchalantly, "Is the apple delicious?"

Ronald, who had already gnawed the apple to its core, nodded enthusiastically. "It is! It's very delicious."

"I'll cut another one for you then."

Samantha took another apple and peeled it with the fruit knife.

"You don't need to trouble yourself..." Ronald said while turning around. As soon as he turned around, he could not help but tremble from head to toe.

Samantha had peeled the first apple like any ordinary person, but she no longer peeled in the same way as before. Instead, she looked like she was slicing them.

Big chunks of apples fell with each slice.

The way she sliced the apple made him feel as though she was about to slash right at him the very next second!

He did not dare to underestimate that woman, ever since he experienced her calm racing skills on the road the other day.

Samantha peeled the skin off the apple and looked up at Ronald. The corners of her lips curled up as she said, "I'll divide it in half for you."

As soon as she said that, she sliced the apple in half without blinking.

Ronald gulped unknowingly and reached for his neck. All of Samantha's movements were horrifying!

Samantha handed him the apple.

Ronald's hands were shaking as he took it.

Samantha smiled again. "I don't need to go to work today, Ronald. I can stay here with you since I have nothing to do all day long."

Ronald trembled and the apple fell on the bed because he could not hold it properly. "No, it's fine. I'm fine all by myself here."

He had a helpless and terrified expression.

Samantha seemed to not have heard what he said and looked at the falling apple. "Why are you so careless? I'll cut another one for you."

She stretched out her hand to get the apple again.

Ronald collapsed. "Mrs. Barker, please don't cut any more apples. I'll tell! I'll tell, okay!"

He was going to cry if she cut another apple in front of him.

After all, he was just a weak, pitiful, and helpless patient!

Samantha put down the fruit knife and took out a paper towel. She wiped her hands slowly and opened her lips to say, "Talk. I'm listening."

Ronald sighed deeply and said silently in his heart, 'I'm sorry, Mr. Barker.'

Then he organized his sentences and said, "Yesterday was a special day for Mr. Barker...and Harmony."

Samantha's long curly eyelashes quivered as she remained silent.

Ronald glanced at her and continued, "I don't know much, but Mr. Barker will disappear for twenty-four hours every three months. He probably spends it with Harmony."

"Whenever that day comes, I won't be able to contact Mr. Barker and he won't let me contact him. He'll only show up after twenty-four hours. I have no idea where he goes and what he does."

The emotions within Samantha's eyes fluctuated slightly, but she was unexpectedly calm after going through an emotionally draining night. "How do you know that he was with Harmony? Besides, wasn't Harmony outside of the country before this?"

Ronald knew the conflict between Samantha and Harmony, especially Samantha's hatred and jealousy of Harmony. He wanted nothing more than to give a negative answer to Samantha, but...there was no changing a fact.

"Mrs. Barker, during the two years of absence, Harmony came back before, but her whereabouts were always hidden. Not many people knew that Harmony was in the country, but...Mr. Barker always kept in touch with her and they video called each other on certain days."

"I've been by Mr. Barker's side for a long time and I've noticed some things, but I surely can't mention things like this on a whim. If it weren't for you today...I'd have continued to keep it to myself!"

"But that's all I know about them. I don't know anything else. I swear."

That little bit of information was enough to conjure emotional waves in Samantha's heart.

'Harmony came back before...'

'Gave each other video calls...'

Those phrases were like thin needles that pricked Samantha's heart.

A certain memory appeared in her mind all of a sudden.

When she was at the villa before, she once saw Timothy having a video call with someone. At that time, she did not see who it was but remembered the voice clearly.

She later saw Harmony at the airport for the first time and felt that her voice seemed familiar as if she had heard it somewhere.

That was Harmony's voice!

Ronald's statements matched the events.

Samantha could not help but think back to what she had asked Timothy in the past.

She had asked him whether he had any other relationship with Harmony aside from being just friends.

His answer at that time was a no.

It was a confident, firm, and clear 'no'.

That answer seemed to be a resounding slap in her face at that moment.

It had been the very reason she dispelled herself of all her doubts and placed her firm belief in Timothy.

In the end, she found out that they had been keeping in touch all this time.

They even shared a special day where he would disappear with Harmony for 24 hours every three months...

Samantha found it laughable when she thought about it, but she could not bring herself to laugh.

Ronald could not help but feel uncomfortable when he saw her sudden depression and the sadness that she was unwilling to show anyone else. 

He had no experience comforting a girl so he could only say awkwardly, "Mrs. Barker, I… I think Mr. Barker has his reasons. You're always in his heart, after all, and he's not a two-timing scumbag either. Don't be too sad right now. It'd be better for you to talk to Mr. Barker first."

If Timothy truly liked Harmony, he would not have married Samantha and continued helping her during all her recent troubles at Harmony's expense.

He shared his thoughts with Samantha and persuaded her, "Mrs. Barker, you and Mr. Barker have gone through so much together. I'm sure you can feel his sincerity towards you, right?"

Samantha could not deny that her uncomfortable emotions had been eased somewhat.

She was not someone who would condemn another without first seeking the truth.

Samantha nodded gently. "Okay."

…

At eight o'clock that evening, Samantha called Timothy again.. He had finally switched his phone on.