Chapter 12
“Demi, I’m going to Germany for liposuction. And I’m not coming back.“Z
Demi’s brows furrowed. “What will happen to your husband Cameron if you leave? After all, he loves you so much. And your daughter Reese? I heard that kind of surgery is dangerous. Are you really sure about this?“%
Julia turned her head and stared through the glass at her bloated reflection. The slender silhouette she once carried across the ballet stage was nothing but a distant memory.)
She let out a bitter, self–deprecating laugh. “I’m divorced. I just want to live differently now,”
|—
Julia Gosling returned home and noticed the master bedroom door upstairs hadn’t been fully closed. She held her breath, leaning in as she peeked through the narrow gap.
Cameron Cruise stood with his back to the door, his expensive suit crumpled carelessly on the floor. The room pulsed with heavy breaths and muffled moans. The bed rocked in a steady rhythm as his voice, low and full of desire, filled the air.
“That waist so damn slender…. If only I could… grab it while doing it once…“”
Without a word, Julia turned and walked back downstairs,
Ever since giving birth to Reese, her once–slim figure had changed beyond recognition. Cameron hadn’t touched her in ages. He’d rather take care of it himself than come close to her.
Hearing footsteps, Reese came bouncing over with a small cake in her hands. The moment she saw Julia, she flung it at her. smashed the cake on her skirt.}
“You fat woman! Why are you back? You’re so fat and ugly, it ruins my mood for practicing piano! Where’s Teacher Anne? I want Teacher Annel”
Julia felt a bitterness rise in her chest. This was the daughter she had nearly died giving birth to. If not for her, Julia wouldn’t have developed hormonal imbalance syndrome, wouldn’t have gained over 150 pounds in just two months, and wouldn’t have been forced to abandon her beloved career in dance.
Now, even her daughter looked at her with disgust.
Julia kept her facial expressionless. “This is my house. If you don’t want to see me, you can leave.“% Cameron came down the stairs, frowning at the clutter near the steps. “Reese, what’s going on?” “The fat woman came back and interrupted Teacher Anne’s piano lesson!”
Cameron’s displeasure was written all over his face. “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t come back until Reese finished her
lesson?‘
Julia stood frozen. This house had been bought with the money she earned through years of dancing. The child had lived in her womb for ten months, born after a life–threatening labor. Every meal, every day, she had made with her own hands. And now, she needed permission from both father and daughter just to step into her own home. How laughable #
“Since you’re back, go make dinner. Don’t just stand there being an eyesore. Look at yourself,”
“Anne Lawrence worked hard teaching Reese. She deserves a good meal. It’s not like you’re useful for anything else, stay in the kitchen where you belong.”
Julia let out a bitter laugh. This was the man who, seven years ago, had sworn he loved her, who begged her to give up her career for him.Z
Back then, when she stood on the stage accepting the International Ballet Gold Award, it was Cameron who knelt with a glittering purple diamond ring and asked her to marry him.
Once, just because she mentioned wanting a pineapple bun from the south side of the city, he drove there overnight to get it for her.”
Who would have imagined that seven years later, neither the daughter she nearly died bringing into this world, nor the husband who once claimed to love her more than life itself, cared if she lived or vanished. Now, all their affection was poured into the new piano teacher.
Ever since the teacher began giving lessons, Reese had been utterly enchanted, insisting every single day that her father divorce Julia.%
And just to satisfy their five–year–old daughter’s whim, Cameron and Julia ended their marriage.!!
He told her it was only to calm the child down, that he would withdraw the divorce during the cooling–off period.
The door opened again, and Anne walked in with a key.
Reese instantly ran into her arms. Teacher Anne smells so nice! I love Teacher Anne the most! Daddy likes you, too. Can you be my mommy?”
Anne gave Cameron a soft glance before crouching down to hold Reese’s hand. “Reese, don’t say that. Let’s go practice
皇
12:00 AM p P
Back then, when she stood on the stage accepting the International Ballet Gold Award, it was Camero
glittering purple diamond ring and asked her to marry him.
who knelt with a
Once, just because she mentioned wanting a pineapple bun from the south side of the city, he drove there overnight to get it
for her
Who would have imagined that seven years later, neither the daughter she nearly died bringing into this world, nor the husband who once claimed to love her more than life itself, cared if she lived or vanished. Now, all their affection was poured into the new plano teacher.
Ever since the teacher began giving lessons, Reese had been utterly enchanted, insisting every single day that her father divorce Julia.E
And just to satisfy their five–year–old daughter’s whim, Cameron and Julia ended their marriage.[
He told her it was only to calm the child down, that he would withdraw the divorce during the cooling–off period.
The door opened again, and Anne walked in with a key.BEVE
Reese instantly ran into her arms Teacher Anne smells so nice! I love Teacher Anne the most! Daddy likes you, too. Can you be my mommy?”
Anne gave Cameron a soft glance before crouching down to hold Reese’s hand. “Reese, don’t say that. Let’s go practice
Your food is disgusting! You won’t even let Teacher Anne eat, bad woman!“&
“Just seeing you makes me sick, fat witch! That’s why I put sleeping pills in your milk, so Teacher Anne could go to school and pretend to be my mom. All my classmates said she’s pretty and gentle. She looks like my real mom, not you! You’re just a fat, ugly maid who should stay home!”
Reese’s shrill voice pierced the room, her little face twisted with open disgust.
Julia stood there, frozen as if struck by lightning.
What?!
No wonder she’d slept half the day with a splitting headache!
She turned to Cameron, eyes wide in disbelief. “What did Reese just say?”
A flicker of surprise crossed his face before he quickly composed himself.
“There was a parent–child event at the kindergarten today. If you’d shown up looking like this… the other kids would’ve laughed at her. She has her pride, too. You’re her mother, you should understand.“E
He paused, then added flatly, “But yeah, giving you sleeping pills was wrong, I’ve already scolded her for it.“!!
Julia felt suffocated. Cameron was actually condoning their daughter’s behavior.
She let out a cold laugh. “This is how you raise her? What’s wrong with how I look? I only became like this because I gave birth to her!”
All reason snapped. She grabbed the remaining bowls and dishes and hurled them to the floor.
The sharp shatter of porcelain echoed through the dining room.
Cameron’s expression turned cold. “Julia, what the hell are you doing? Reese is just a child. Can’t you be more folerant? And there’s a guest here. Stop making a scene!”
“Making a scene?” Julia laughed, her voice trembling with rage. “Fine, I’m leaving!”
She couldn’t bear one more minute in that suffocating room. Stumbling out of the dining area, she kept walking.
Even after reaching the garden behind the estate, the pain in her chest wouldn’t ease. The nausea lingered like a knot that refused to loosen.
She collapsed onto the pavilion bench, gasping for air, trying to calm herself.
Footsteps sounded behind her.
“Mrs. Cruise?“%
