Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Samantha counted the hours and discovered that it was more or less 24 hours.

Another one of Ronald's remarks had hit the nail on the head.

Samantha bit her lower lip but felt no pain even though there were already tooth marks on her lips.

The man's low voice rang in her ears. "Sammy?"

Timothy seemed to have called her name softly because she had not responded.

Samantha returned to her senses and took a deep breath to calm her chaotic thoughts. She spoke as naturally as possible, "Ah... I was just about to ask whether you're coming back tonight."

"Yes," Timothy answered without hesitation. "I'll be home in about ten minutes."

His answer came as a surprise to Samantha.

If Timothy did do something behind her back, then it would be logical for him to feel somewhat guilty and subconsciously hide it.

However, he came home right away as if nothing had happened.

Could it be that her three unanswered phone calls and the 24-hour disappearance were not what she thought it was?

Samantha's heart was less agitated when she thought of that.

Her lips curled up slightly as she responded, "Okay. See you later."

Samantha could not sit still in the bedroom after hanging up. She decided to get up, leave the bedroom, and head downstairs. She subsequently walked out of the villa and waited at the door.

A black vehicle soon drove in and parked up on the lawn in front of the door. The driver's door opened and the man's slender figure exited the car.

Samantha walked over.

When Timothy saw her coming out, he raised his eyebrows slightly and looked tenderly at her. "Why are you out here?"

Samantha looked at his handsome face and stared at him for just over ten seconds. After ascertaining the absence of guilt and avoidance in his expression, she smiled and said, "Cause I miss you."

Her voice was so sweet that Timothy's adam's apple bobbed up and down in his throat. He wrapped his long arms around her slender waist and pulled her into his embrace. Once she was in his arms, he lowered his head and planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. He replied hoarsely, "I miss you too."

After he said that, he was about to kiss her when Samantha pressed her hands lightly against his chest and pushed him away. She deliberately chastised him, "No funny business when we're out in the open!"

Timothy chuckled but listened obediently to her and did not continue.

He went into the house with his hands around her.

Once inside, Timothy noticed that Old Madam Barker and Aunt Julia were not around and could not help but ask, "Where's Grandma and Aunt Julia?"

Samantha replied while helping him take off his suit jacket, "Grandma and Aunt Julia went to a place of worship. They won't be back until tomorrow."

The old lady could not sleep at all after getting angry at Harmony and felt particularly restless. When the next morning came, she said that she was going to visit a place of worship and dragged Aunt Julia along with her.

Samantha, however, omitted the old lady's reason for going.

Timothy knew that the old lady would visit her place of worship to practice vegetarianism and pray, so he did not ask any further questions and nodded lightly.

"Have you eaten yet?" Timothy asked.

"I haven't. I was waiting for you to come back so we could eat together," Samantha paused and looked at him inquisitively. "Or have you already eaten?"

"I haven't eaten either." Timothy chuckled. "What would you like to eat? I'll get it delivered."

Samantha was not that hungry and had no appetite, but she said, "That oriental restaurant we had the other day should do. Their roast duck was delicious! I've been thinking about it for a few days now."

"Greedy little cat!" Timothy touched the tip of her nose affectionately and took his cell phone out to order the food.

After making the call, Timothy walked to the bedroom and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

Samantha held the clothes that Timothy had taken off and glanced cursorily. There were no ambiguous items such as lipstick marks.

However, there was a faint perfume lingering on almost all his clothes.

Her nose could pick up the scent even though it was very light.

It was Harmony's special homemade perfume, which was unique because it was her special formulation.

Samantha's eyes narrowed slightly.

During the 24 hours that Timothy had disappeared, she could be certain that he had met Harmony. Her perfume would not have been on him otherwise.

The sound of trickling water soon stopped and Samantha glanced in the bathroom's direction. She hesitated for a few seconds but still chose to put the clothes in the laundry basket.

The food was delivered as Timothy came out of the shower. He wiped dry his wet hair and put on some loose-fitting clothes before going downstairs.

Samantha tried to untie the plastic bag but was unable to do so despite trying for some time. She wondered if she faced difficulties because the knot was a bit too tight

Timothy stepped forward when he saw that and stretched his hand out. "I'll do it."

The moment his finger touched Samantha's, her fingertips stiffened and she retracted her hand casually.

Timothy untied the plastic and laid out all the boxes one by one before opening their lids.

The two of them sat down.

Timothy picked up the cutlery and gave her a piece of roast duck. He put it in Samantha's bowl and urged softly, "Eat up."

Samantha lowered her eyes and looked intently at the piece of roast duck. A few seconds later, she picked up the cutlery and used it to bring the roast duck to her mouth.

She chewed and swallowed.

After that, she looked up and stared at the man who was eating slowly and gracefully in front of her. She pursed her lips and said, "You didn't answer my calls last night, Timothy, and you even turned off the phone."

She deliberately spoke in a complaining tone.

There was a brief fluctuation in Timothy's black pupils but Samantha could not tell what kind of emotion it was.

He then replied bluntly, "I was busy."

'Busy…'

Samantha nodded and spoke in a calmer tone. "Were you working overtime in the office last night?"

"Of course." Timothy raised his eyes to look at her. He had a calm and unwavering look as he curled the corners of his lips and teased, "I have to earn money to raise you, don't I?"

'Working overtime in the company…'

Samantha looked at his expression and saw nothing unusual. She really could not even find the slightest fault.

Had she not personally have gone to the Barker Group to find him the night before and confirmed that he was not in the office, she would have believed his words completely.

She was curious how she never noticed Timothy's ability to lie so seamlessly.

Then again, how could she forget what had happened during their relationship two years ago? She thought he really loved her, but in the end, he was just fooling around.

He always, always put on a good act in front of her.

The piece of roast duck she ate earlier made her nauseated. She had no idea if it was due to her psychological state being affected, but the sudden onset of nausea forced her to cover her lips. She immediately got up and ran towards the toilet.

She squatted by the toilet and vomited into it.

Timothy chased up to her right away and frowned as he asked worriedly, "Are you okay, Sammy?"

He then bent down and reached out to help her.

As soon as Timothy's hand came into contact with her body, Samantha immediately pushed him away.