Chapter 399 The Upside–Down Book
Mia lingered with Maggie until sunset. Their conversations revolved mostly around escape plans.
Maggie appeared to be more energetic because she was accompanied by someone.
However, as soon as Mia left, Maggie found herself gazing at the room and let out a sigh.
Nathael didn’t return for dinner, leaving Maggie to wonder whether she made him angry yesterday. With her appetite lacking, she ate haphazardly, barely tasting the flavours.
Determined not to let her mind wander, Maggie retrieved her sketchbook and began drafting designs.
She hadn’t made much progress on the brooch owed to Timmothy, but fortunately, she took solace in having ideas early on.
Maggie nestled on the sofa. She lowered her head and started sketching.
It didn’t take long for her to become engaged in her work. The chaotic thoughts no longer disrupted her, and the world seemed to quiet down.
The brooch she planned for Timmothy would also have two angles. Unlike Nathael’s double–faced design, Maggie’s design for Timmothy could be seen from both top and bottom angles.
From the upright position, it resembled an angelic silhouette, transitioning gracefully from light blue to white, with a deep blue sea hem; all embellished with diamonds.
When viewed upside down, it transformed into a demonic figure, enveloped in shades of blue and black, akin to a midnight harbinger.
The angelic view exuded brightness and hope, while the reversed perspective carried a depressed and dull. aura with a bit of treachery and temptation, attracting people into an involuntary fascination.
This concept had been brewing in her mind for a little while, though the precise image and details required multiple revisions to finalise.
She immersed herself in the drawing for more than two hours until Nathael returned around nine in the evening, snapping her concentration.
She didn’t raise her head, but his presence involuntarily commanded her attention, following his
movement.
Nathael didn’t bring flowers today, but he did bring a small cake for her. He delicately placed it on the coffee table; his dark eyes briefly looked at the woman on the sofa before he silently entered the bathroom.
Hearing the sound of running water from the bathroom, Maggie set aside her pencil, straightened up, and crouched by the coffee table, peering at the cake in the box.
The cake, no bigger than the palm of her hand, was about four inches, but its heart shape made it seem smaller. It was a delicate, clean white, with a curved candle standing atop it, accompanied by a pair of exquisite, petite bears.
One bear was dressed in a suit, while the other wore a white dress.
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Chapter 399 The Upside–Down Book
Maggie chuckled softly, finding it inexplicably adorable. Yet, as she continued to gaze, her eyes inexplicably grew moist.
She knew she shouldn’t touch the cake, much like the bouquet of flowers from yesterday. But she couldn’t. resist the urge,
Squatting in front of the coffee table, Maggie stared at the cake for a long time and reached out several times to undo the ribbon.
Yet, each time her fingertips touched the ribbon, she paused again.
After struggling for what seemed like an eternity, Maggie finally retracted her hand, forcing herself to look
away.
It’s only a cake. The taste is basically the same.
Maggie retreated to the bedroom, trying to distract herself, but for reasons she couldn’t explain, her eyes stung, and a strange urge to cry overwhelmed her.
Maggie felt ashamed of her lack of self–control. How do I become this emotional, unable to hold back my tears because I couldn’t eat the cake? Why do I still feel like this as an adult?
Pathetic!
I’m truly pathetic!
Before Nathael came out of the bathroom, Maggie climbed onto the bed and took a book to read.
She needed something to relieve the uneasiness.
However, even though she held the book in her hands, she didn’t flip a single page. She was concerned that Nathael would continue to bother her at night.
The thought sent shivers down her spine.
He was skilled in that regard, but before, he had always shown restraint with her. Now, when he felt upset, there seemed to be no limit to his advances.
The mere thought of it made Maggie feel utterly despondent.
Wicked, it was truly wicked!
When she was thinking about it, Nathael emerged from the bathroom. He had changed into a black silk long–sleeved pyjama, its lustrous surface gleaming in the warm light, accentuating his handsome face even
more.
Neither of them took the initiative to speak. Nathael picked up several documents and placed them on the bedroom table as if there was still unfinished business to attend to.
Maggie turned a page of her book absent–mindedly, but her gaze was drawn to him.
Today, his mood seemed to improve slightly, but Maggie couldn’t tell if it was the calm before the storm or if he had already processed everything himself.
At this moment. Maggie’s phone rang several times in quick succession, followed by six or seven text
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Chapter 399 The Upside Down Book:
messages flooding in.
The crisp sound was especially noticeable in the quiet room. Nathael’s hand, holding a pen, paused momentarily, his eyelashes quivered slightly as he didn’t look in her direction..
Maggie set the book aside and picked up her phone, only to find messages from Lucas sent through at virtual number, posing as Mr. Balslev.
“Maggie, are you asleep?”
‘Did
you successfully break up with him? Do you need my help?”
‘I saw a doll while shopping today. I’ll buy it for you next time.”
A picture of the doll followed immediately.
Maggie skimmed the messages briefly, paying little attention. After all, they were all fake.
Mia created this strategy. Lucas had previously expressed concern that Nathael’s people may conduct an investigation. He thought that even though they were acting, they should be more serious. Otherwise, deceiving someone like Nathael would be impossible, even if it’s just temporary.
Mia said it was best to let Nathael inadvertently see the messages, which would make her change of heart more convincing. Especially for someone like Nathael, discovering subtle clues inadvertently would be more persuasive than anything she could say.
But now, looking at these theatrical messages, Maggie felt foolish and ridiculous..
Perhaps it was her unwillingness in her heart that made her feel inclined to neglect these messages.
Maggie deleted all the messages. She was no longer intending to stab Nathael’s heart.
If she hadn’t worried about Timmothy going crazy, and perhaps a glimmer of hope for her survival, now Maggie would have felt that she would rather endure another two years by his side. It was solely because of his appearance.
Who cares about life, death, love, or hate? Nothing lasts forever.
How wonderful it would be if people could be predictable at all times.
Lost in thought, Maggie stared at her phone, while Nathael’s gaze somewhat darkened slightly. He closed. his fountain pen. The sound of it landing on the desk pulled Maggie back to reality.
She automatically raised her eyes to glance in his way, and when he didn’t appear to notice anything, she set the phone down, took the book, and began reading.
Time passed by. It was already half past ten when Nathael turned off the lamp and stood up.
He paused by the bed, his sight caught the book in Maggie’s hand. He looked like he wanted to say something. Maggie felt uneasy under his gaze. Despite her best efforts to avert her attention, she couldn’t help but look up at him.
He hesitated for a moment before saying gently, “You’re holding the book upside down.”
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Let’s Star All Over Again, Shall We?