Chapter 40


    Cordelia had a bad stomachache, so she took a day off and did not go to work. Despite that, her


    time at home was not restful either, as she smelled a strange herbal aromaing from the kitchen


    since she woke up in the morning.


    Forcing herself to get out of bed, she went to the kitchen and saw Marcus busy inside. The


    breakfast he had prepared for her was spread out on the table—burnt eggs, burnt toast, and a bowl


    of watery oats. It was not bad for this man who had never gone in the kitchen…


    Cordelia chuckled wryly and told him softly while leaning against the kitchen’s door frame, “You


    don’t know how. Let me do it.”


    Marcus was startled and turned back to look at her. “You’re awake? You don’t feel well, do you? Go


    back to bed after breakfast. I’ll take care of this.”


    “What are you up to?”


    “Oh… I’m making you some soup.” Marcus was scrambling. “Go rest. I’ll serve the soup when it’s


    done.”


    Cordelia pursed her lips. His action warmed her, but her mind reminded her of something else—was


    he as considerate to his “first love” back then? A 16-year-old boy was in the prime of his youth, so


    he must have been so passionate.


    Her smile froze as she thought of it. The knot in her heart wrenched tighter. In addition to the


    twisting pain in her lower abdomen after standing so long, she felt frustrated. It was a coincidence


    that Marcus turned back to nce at her. She red back at him and spun on her heel to go back


    to her room, closing the door as well.


    Marcus was bewildered. Were all menstruating women this moody? She was just smiling at him a


    second ago, and she red at him the next second! How troublesome!


    Josiah texted him to go to Regalia for a discussion. He turned off the stove and wanted to inform


    Cordelia when a few knocks came from the door.


    Linda was the one standing outside. She had heard that Cordelia was not feeling well, so she came


    to visit while she was out for sales.


    “You’re… Marcus?” Linda was surprised when the door opened.


    This was her first time meeting Marcus. He was unlike what she had imagined at all. She had been


    under the impression that a man who had fought and gone to jail would look somewhat thuggish or


    even demotivated, but this man was tall and handsome. His sculpted face was firm and cold, and


    his deep eyes gave off nothing to others about what was in his mind. He exuded a strong aura, and


    Linda could not help taking a few steps back.


    “Mm, I am,” replied Marcus. “Linda Quimby?”


    “Nice to meet you.” Linda chuckled.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Marcus stepped aside to let her in.


    Once Linda stepped inside, she caught a whiff of the strong herbal scent and frowned.


    “What happened? Is she very ill?” Linda looked at him. “Why is she taking medicine?”


    “She’s been having stomachache. I asked around for a recipe that says making soup with these


    ingredients will make it better.”


    “Oh.” Linda nodded thoughtfully.


    Her mother was a holistic doctor specializing in gynecology, so she grew up under that influence.


    She felt something was wrong just from sniffing the smell and thought she would check out what the


    pot was cooking when she had a chanceter. After all, it was for consumption. She had to watch


    out for Cordelia.


    “Linda, you’re here?” Cordelia came out of her room. “I’m so sorry. It’s just period pain, but I act like


    I’ve fallen so sick, and you have toe to visit me…”


    “This isn’t anything petty to women, though.” Linda chuckled. “You don’t look too good. Does it hurt


    a lot?”


    “Mn.” Cordelia’s brows were scrunched together. “Can you get more painkillers from your mom for


    me? They’re effective. I felt better right away after taking them thest time!”


    “Do you still need painkillers?” Linda pointed at the kitchen and giggled. “Your husband made you


    an all-healing soup. It’s so much better than those painkillers!”


    Cordelia looked up at the man who stood by the side and smiled at him.


    Marcus let her know he was going out. Like usual, he did not tell her who he was out with or what


    time he would be home, just that she did not have to wait up for him to eat if it got toote.


    Cordelia sighed while looking at his back.


    “This doesn’t sound right.” Linda looked at her with a smile. “Our Cordelia looks like she’s troubled?”


    Cordelia bit her lips and spilled all about the man’s supposed first love.


    Linda could not helpughing after listening to her.


    “That’s it? Cordelia, you’re putting yourself through so much suffering over a mere imaginary rival?


    You’re hrious!”


    “I know it’s like I’m making it up. There’s no proof of it. It’s kind of ridiculous that I’m thinking like


    this.” Cordelia sat on the couch, hugging her legs, and rested her face in her hands. Her eyes were


    big and lost. “But I just can’t control myself.”


    “You silly girl!” Linda counseled her, “This is all in your head! You can’t misunderstand him over a


    sentence he didn’t finish, right? He might not have anyone at all!


    “Okay, so even if he does have a first love, that’s old history. He married you in the end, didn’t he?


    What are you worried about?


    “Besides…” Linda pursed her lips and said, “A man like him has no family background, no job, and


    a mark on his record. Who do you think wants to fight for him with you? You’re the only one


    treasuring him!”


    “What are you talking about!?” Cordelia red at her without heat and chortled.


    She did feel better after talking to Linda. Even her stomach hurt less.


    It was then the pot on the stove gurgled. The herbal soup nearly bubbled over.


    Linda darted to open the lid, but her gaze changed when she saw the soup''s ingredients.