Chapter 12: Chapter 12

1,179 words

<html><head></head><body>Next, I observed Brandon and Shirley at home, trying to find out why they were treating me this way, while waiting for an opportunity. Unfortunately, Brandon and Shirley always behaved like an employer and a nanny, without any unusual behavior. Until one night, after dinner, I saw Brandon and Shirley exchange a glance, and then Shirley got up: "Mrs. Jordan, take your time eating. Just leave the dishes there when you're done, I'll wash them in the morning. I'm not feeling well today, so I'll go to bed early." "I've kept your medicine warm, you can take it later." I knew they were definitely up to something tonight, so after they went into the room, I quietly walked to the master bedroom door. Because Brandon had a habit of locking the door when he slept, he wasn't worried about me suddenly coming in. And Shirley wasn't afraid of me standing outside. I pressed my ear to the door and heard the voices inside. Shirley spoke first: "Caroline is so annoying, I have to take care of her all day. When can I become the real Mrs. Jordan?" Brandon's voice was low: "Aren't you already? The Mrs. Jordan who sleeps with me!" Even though I was mentally prepared, hearing this still made me feel nauseous and want to kill the two of them right then and there. But I knew I couldn't do that, I had to endure it. Shirley continued to complain: "That medicine is useless, Caroline is still stubbornly alive. I know of a medicine that, after taking it, won't take a few days..." My heart was in my throat. If Brandon really did what Shirley said, I wouldn't be able to escape. At that time, I would have to leave my children and escape first, but it would be difficult to get my children back later. Just then, I heard a loud slap from inside. "Shirley, don't think you're irreplaceable. I can make you Mrs. Jordan, and I can make someone else Mrs. Jordan too." "My matters with Caroline, you are not to interfere in the future." I was stunned. Did Shirley not know about Brandon's plan? Otherwise, why didn't she know that the medicine Brandon gave me was not poisonous at all? And from what he said, Brandon didn't seem to love Shirley very much, so what was he after? I couldn't figure it out. Inside, Shirley seemed to be stunned by the slap, and then a scolding voice followed: "Get out!" I came to my senses and quickly went downstairs, afraid of being caught eavesdropping. I sat back at the dining table, and Shirley came downstairs too. There was a red handprint on her face, looking particularly conspicuous. She saw me and glared at me with jealousy, then went into the kitchen. I pretended not to see her look and asked loudly: "Shirley, what happened to your face? Why is it red?" Shirley took a long time to answer: "It's nothing." She was probably furious inside, but this was the only thing that made me happy during this time. After finishing my meal, I went back to my room and read a book by the bedside. After a while, Brandon knocked and came in, holding my medicine bowl. "Caroline, did you forget to take your medicine?" Thinking about his mouth that had just been intimate with Shirley, now speaking sweet words to me, made me feel sick. I took the bowl from his hand and smiled: "I'm in a good mood today, I want to read a bit before taking the medicine." Brandon didn't object, nodded, and said: "I might have to go on a business trip in a few days. If you have any inconvenience at home, just ask Shirley." My eyes lit up, realizing an opportunity had come. "Okay, take care." Brandon nodded, leaned in, and kissed my forehead. "Caroline, take your medicine and go to bed early. Good night." After he left the room, I closed the book with a cold face. I looked at the medicine bowl on the bedside table. Even though I knew it wasn't poisonous, I had no intention of drinking it. There was definitely something wrong with it. I poured the medicine into the toilet and flushed it, my mind drifting away. At night, when everyone was asleep, I texted Kathy, telling her about Brandon's business trip and that only Shirley would be home. I felt I had to take this opportunity to escape, it was the only chance. After receiving Kathy's reply, I put away my phone and went to bed. A few days later, it was the day of Brandon's business trip. I stood in the yard to see him off, then turned to look at Shirley. Since the day Brandon slapped her, Shirley always looked at me with jealousy and resentment. And I pretended not to see it. It was time to figure out how to walk out of this cage openly. That night, I sat in the living room, watching Shirley prepare my medicine in the kitchen, and suddenly had an idea. Since she used this medicine to make me sleep, why not make her drink it instead? With this thought, I knew what to do. I deliberately walked to the kitchen and said: "Shirley, I have a beauty soup recipe from my hometown. My mom used to drink it often, and every time she drank it, her face looked ten years younger. I want to make it later, do you want to drink it with me?" What woman wouldn't be tempted by that? Shirley hesitated a bit, then agreed. Actually, I didn't know any beauty soup recipe. I boiled water on the stove and unceremoniously poured all the medicine she made for me into the pot. To cover the taste, I added sugar and salt. I tasted it, and it was bitter, sweet, and salty, completely masking the taste of the medicine. Then I brought the pot of soup to the table and called Shirley over to drink. Shirley didn't hesitate to pick up the bowl and drink, but she spat it out after one sip. After all, the soup tasted terrible. "This is too awful." I smiled: "Beauty soup is always like this, that's why it works!" With my persuasion, Shirley soon drank quite a bit, showing a stuffed expression. I let her sit on the sofa, and soon she started to feel drowsy, ready to fall asleep on the sofa. I knew the power of this medicine well. Once taken, it wouldn't wake up for ten hours, no matter what happened. After she was completely asleep, I tested her breath with my hand and called her twice. Confirming she was fully asleep, I went back to my room, put on my coat, grabbed my phone, and slipped out. Just then, I heard a voice behind me: "Don't go." I was startled, feeling my blood run cold. I never expected the medicine to only work on me. As I was thinking of an explanation, I heard her say: "Brandon, don't go!" </body></html>

Chapter 12: Chapter 12

1,179 words