CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 99 REMEMBER THAT DAY (1)_1

Hearing that, Julia Bluen’s face turned even redder, like a ripe apple that made one want to take a bite.

She struggled within Glades Horne’s embrace but couldn’t break free from his strong arms. She could only bury her face deep into his chest, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.

This man, saying such things in front of everyone...

Despite her embarrassment, a stream of happiness warmed Julia’s heart.

Glades Horne chuckled deeply, his arms tightly holding her as they walked upstairs. By the time she regained her senses, she was already sitting on a lounge chair by the rooftop swimming pool.

The lights on the rooftop had all been turned on. Their pure white brightness illuminated the rooftop as if it were daytime, making every corner clearly visible. This created a stark black-and-white contrast with the night sky above.

The rooftop was very quiet, so quiet that even their breathing could be heard.

Julia first scanned her surroundings. Night had fallen, and as she sat on the rooftop, she looked up at the dark expanse above. Watching the clouds churn and the sky change, she marveled at the majesty of the universe, the grandeur of the heavens. High above, the heat rapidly decreased, and a cool breeze, imperceptible on the ground below, could be felt. It was autumn now, and the cool winds carried a subtle chill.

In the quiet surroundings, with the cool autumn breeze, she thought having a glass of red wine would be life’s greatest joy. She gazed at the tranquil azure waters of the pool, where the wind barely caused a ripple, as if reluctant to disturb the serenity.

"Why did we come up to the rooftop?"

Julia withdrew her gaze and fixed it intently on Glades Horne.

Tomorrow, they were leaving for their honeymoon, she thought. He’ll probably take me back to our new room to rest early tonight.

Glades Horne pursed his lips in silence, his deep eyes shimmering like two pearls in the night. He sat down opposite her. His gaze was unfathomably deep, like bottomless pits that would suck her in with just a glance, their depths unknown. He kept his lips tightly pursed as he stared deeply at her.

It was here, in this quiet environment, on this very lounge chair, that she had made a decision that would shape his life.

Julia was perplexed by his penetrating stare, yet she found herself sinking into it. His eyes always hold a certain magic, she knew. Once I look into them, I’m drawn into their abyss, incapable of escape. Yet, I always sink into the depths of his gaze unwittingly, like a small fish in a deep pool, unable to find the bottom no matter how I swim. The vortexes below spin me around until I forget why I dived in, and when I come to my senses, I find I’ve discovered nothing.

I dive in time and again, and time and again, I return without success.

I’ve never known someone’s gaze could be as deep as a pool of water.

His long, strong, yet gentle fingers crept onto her face.

She stiffened, looking at him with even more bewilderment.

Even though we’ve been intimate, I still can’t grasp his sudden actions.

His long fingers, filled with greed, affection, and love, gently traced her face, inch by inch. She wanted to turn her face away, but he wouldn’t allow it. She wanted to shake off his hand, but he wouldn’t allow that either. All she could do was stare at him, her eyes filled with countless question marks.

"Julia..."

A voice, low, deep, and soft, sounded.

He called her name with such deep affection, so tenderly it was almost sappy, that Julia nearly got goosebumps. What on earth is he up to now? she wondered. Shouldn’t he at least give me a script? How am I supposed to play along otherwise?

"Julia!" His hand, which had been caressing her face, suddenly fell to her shoulder. Then he stood in front of her, his arms forcefully pulling her to her feet and into his embrace, hugging her fiercely.

"Glades, I can hardly breathe," Julia Bluen pushed him away.

"Let me hold you properly," Glades Horne said in a husky voice.

His voice carried a sense of having lost and regained something.

Lost and regained? How could I sense such an emotion?

Julia was confused by her own feelings—no, it was Glades Horne who confused her. For the past nearly half-month, he’s always given me the impression that I’m his true love.

Yet his years of affection for my sister were also real.

This is so frustrating! she thought. I hate this feeling because it just leaves me puzzled.

A moment later, Glades Horne gently pushed her back, allowing her to sit down in the lounge chair. Then, he suddenly took out his phone and made a call downstairs. He asked Uncle Ying to arrange for two bottles of red wine to be sent up—mixed with a sweet beverage, of course.

After giving the instructions, he sat down opposite her, his gaze still deep.

Shortly after, a servant brought up two bottles of red wine—each mixed with a generous amount of sweet beverage—two tall crystal wine glasses, and two plates of exquisite pastries.

Glades Horne poured a glass of red wine for both himself and Julia Bluen.

Julia Bluen picked up the glass, intending to drink, but he stopped her. She looked at him, puzzled. He poured wine for me, isn’t it for me to drink?

"You ate too many pistachios this morning," he said. "Although you had two mangosteens, I’m not sure if the internal heat has completely subsided. Even though this is red wine, it still contains alcohol, and alcohol can also cause internal heat, so you shouldn’t drink it. Later, I’ll have Aunt Mei bring up some green bean soup for you."

He had quietly instructed Aunt Mei to prepare green bean soup for her as soon as they got home.

Julia Bluen opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t know what. She could only glare at him. I can’t fathom what he’s trying to do right now.

"Do you remember that day?" Glades Horne suddenly asked.

That day? she wondered. There have been so many days; how would I know which one he means? Julia was still puzzling over Glades Horne’s bizarre behavior. When she heard his question, her mind instinctively went to work.

Suddenly, the scenes replayed in her mind. She understood. She knew which day he meant.

Glades Horne took in every shift of her expression, searing the sight into his memory.

She didn’t know that on that day, she had saved him, and she had also saved herself.

"Glades, we’re both abandoned people, both pitiful. Isn’t it fitting that we’ve ended up as a pair?"