CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: I WANT TO HIDE YOU, SO YOU’RE ONLY MINE

Victoria Monroe’s fingertips gradually tightened, and after she said those three words, "You are not worthy," she finally erupted.

"Smash!"

She fiercely threw the cup onto the ground, and the fragments instantaneously shattered, with the unfinished water spilling everywhere.

Victoria Monroe’s enchanting fox-like eyes at this moment were only filled with a cold indifference. Her voice wasn’t loud, yet it was full of authority, "Have you said enough?"

Lana Jameson was intimidated by her presence, not forgetting the New Year’s Eve two years ago when Victoria Monroe overturned the family dinner table in front of everyone. What else couldn’t she do?

Having practiced martial arts for several years for her films, at this moment, the murderous intent in her eyes towards Lana Jameson was undeniable.

"Crazy woman, I don’t know what sin my son committed in his past life to marry a shrew like you."

As she cursed, she nervously moved toward the entrance, "I advise you to sign the agreement soon. My son is now the CEO of a listed company. Have you ever looked at what you are..."

Victoria Monroe suddenly picked up glass shards from the ground and threw them at Lana Jameson, who quickly dashed out the door without regard for her curses.

The glass hit the door, shattering a second time and scattering in all directions.

Victoria Monroe’s body slowly slid down along the sofa. She reached out to wipe away the tears from the corner of her eye but instead smeared a trace of blood on her face.

She stared blankly at the bloodstained palm of her hand.

A few years ago, when she was a big star, Lana Jameson treated her very well.

Saying things like Julian Fordham was lucky to have found such a good girlfriend by divine intervention.

After they got their marriage certificate, she also held Victoria Monroe’s hand and said her body could be properly cared for. If there were no children, they could always adopt one. Having Victoria as a daughter-in-law was enough for her.

At that time, Victoria Monroe invested all her film earnings into his company.

Every time she went to their house, Lana Jameson practically revered her.

The change began when Julian Fordham’s business took off. She started to disdain Victoria Monroe for not having an income and for not being able to have children.

Later, she publicly ridiculed Victoria Monroe for being useless. Her snobby relatives, who were accustomed to praising the high and stepping on the low, made various sarcastic remarks to curry favor with Lana Jameson, thus asserting the mother-in-law’s authority.

The result was Victoria Monroe overturned the table and left without looking back.

The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law completely deteriorated.

Julian Fordham never blamed her for a moment. If she didn’t like meeting his relatives, then they simply wouldn’t meet.

Fortunately, Julian Fordham had installed a camera, witnessing everything today and rushing back home.

Previously, he knew that his mother disdained Victoria Monroe, but after all, he hadn’t heard it on-site. Even that night when Victoria overturned the table, she didn’t explain a word.

Now he finally understood that those words were like sharp blades, stabbing her heart, one dagger after another.

The door opened again, and she thought it was the housekeeper.

A tall figure walked towards her, step by step. Her lowered eyes reflected a pair of exquisite handmade men’s leather shoes.

Looking at the person sitting on the ground, she wrapped her hands around her knees, her hair scattered messily behind her.

Her pale little face bore a tinge of blood.

And the wound on her palm kept dripping blood, one drop at a time.

Julian Fordham knelt on one knee, gingerly cradling her face, his rough thumb brushing across her cheek.

His gaze was full of pity for her, his voice hoarse, "Victoria..."

The sunshine fell into her eyes, the woman who once saw nothing but him now had no ripples in her eyes, only a dead, stagnant pool like a dry well.

Victoria Monroe raised her hand, but only touched his expensive, cold watch.

That’s right.

He was no longer that high-achieving cold scholar wearing thin school uniforms in the deep winter.

He was President Fordham, so distinguished.

Julian Fordham hurriedly removed his watch, holding Victoria Monroe’s hands, "Victoria, I’m here."

Victoria Monroe’s gaze moved over his handsome features, his high nose, and thin lips.

She broke free from his wrist, rubbing her thumb gently across his lips.

It was said that those with thin lips are born indifferent.

She had kissed those lips countless times, slowly passing her breath onto them. She truly believed that he was hers for a lifetime.

"Julian." She softly called him.

Clearly, it was the name he longed for day and night, yet now Julian Fordham felt only unease, "My wife..."

"Let me go, will you?"

He knelt on the ground and suddenly pulled her into his arms, his arms tightly wrapped around her body.

But she neither struggled nor pushed him away.

She just curled up like that, like a soulless doll.

Tears fell on his neck, so scorching, as if trying to scorch his skin.

Victoria Monroe choked up, "I’m too tired of these days. The problem between you and me isn’t that child, it’s the day years ago when you coaxed me to leave the industry and it all went wrong. I shouldn’t have given up my career, and you shouldn’t have schemed against me."

Julian Fordham’s eyes were filled with panic, "No, honey, it wasn’t a scheme. I just love you too much. I didn’t like the male actors you were paired with in the drama, couldn’t stand you being adored by thousands, even women setting you as their screensaver, calling you ’wife’ nonstop."

He tightened his grip on the arms wrapped around her, "I just wanted to hide you away, make you belong only to me."

Victoria Monroe raised her head, meeting his obsessive, paranoid eyes.

"Julian, do you remember the bird you caught from the mountain for me? It had beautiful feathers. We locked it in a cage. It wouldn’t eat or drink, and eventually pulled out all its tail feathers, starving to death in the cage. Do you want me to become that bird?"

"I won’t. I love you so much, Victoria. Please don’t leave me, okay? I just want a child with my bloodline to inherit my business. I don’t love Rachel Hayes, and I certainly won’t love that child. You’re the only one in my heart."

All that was left in his eyes was fervor. She of course knew.

But this version of Julian Fordham only made her feel afraid.

Too intense a love not only turned him unrecognizable but also scorched Victoria Monroe.

She wiped the tears from the corner of her eye with her fingertip, her gaze gradually resolute, "But I don’t want to be that bird, nor do I want to pluck out my own tail feathers. I want to see the sky outside."

Victoria Monroe slowly got up, standing in the glow, dressed in a white silk nightgown, looking as soft and divine as an angel.

Julian Fordham knelt with one knee, his eyes full of infatuation for her.

"Darling, at least let me take care of your wound. Doesn’t it hurt?"

Over the years, he had pampered her so much that even a minor cut on her thumb would have her snuggling in his arms for a long time.

Victoria Monroe slipped off the strap from her left shoulder, revealing a brilliant red rose on her lower back, strikingly vibrant against the snow-white skin.

"Did you forget? When I was filming, I got hurt by accident, and sixteen stitches were put here, nearly paralyzing me."

She turned back with a smile, showcasing unparalleled elegance, "Do you think this little wound would cause me pain? Julian Fordham, I can be the little woman in your arms, but I can also pick up the gun and ride the horse, becoming the warrior I once was."

"I’ll piece back together the wings you broke. I, Victoria Monroe, am not a bird you can cage."