Chapter 389
My Mute Bride
Chapter 389 Karma Transmigration It rained heavily outside the window, and the raindrops beat the leaves of the sycamore trees on the streets of Riverdale to pieces. There was a constant stream of people in the English restaurant. The restaurantâs atmosphere was undoubtedly much more lively and boisterous than a French restaurant.
âThe fish and chips here are good; Charlotte and Samuel like them very much,â Justin said. As he spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Rachel. âAfter dinner, Iâll order a takeaway for two fish and chips, and you can take them back for the children.â
âYou still think about the little gluttonous duo?â
âIn the past, I was too busy and spent too little time with Charlotte. If you are busy in the future, you can leave both children to me. Then, you can pick them up when you are not busy.â
These words sounded inexplicably unpleasant.
Rachelâs eyes darkened slightly. âRegarding things in Burton Group, is Robin still giving you a hard time after Julian took over? Why donât I talk to Julian?â
âThereâs no need for that. Robin didnât make things difficult for me. In fact, after Julian took over, it was a lot easier on me. I even took a monthâs leave, and no one has urged me to return.â
Justin pretended that everything was fine. Rachel took his words at face value and actually let out a breath of relief.
âThatâs good. I told you things would still be the same even after Julian took over. Heâs your own family, after all. At the very least, he wonât let a man like Robin show off his authority.â
Justin didnât answer; instead, he gave her the fish and chips and urged, âEat more.â
After Julian joined Burton Group, Robin really stopped putting pressure on me. In other words, I have no pressure in Burton Group now because I have nothing to do. The moment someone overruns my work, it also means my authority has been overridden. Even so, I can understand everything Julian has done. If it were me, I would have done the same myself. Why? Because Iâm the biggest threat.
âDid Charlotte cause any trouble during the days Iâve been gone?â
âMost of the time, sheâs very well-behaved. But if you really want to know, you should attend the parent-
teacher conference for her when the time comes. There was no huge trouble, but there were many small issues. For example, she was having many disputes with her classmates.â
âLet Victor be strict with her. She has never been in contact with her peers since she was a child, so she is used to being self-centered.â
Rachel was a little surprised.
âWhatâs wrong?â
As he saw her looking at him in astonishment, he asked, âIs there something on my face?â
After that, she immediately came back to her senses. âNo, Iâm just a little surprised. Didnât you always think that itâs not a bad thing for Charlotte to be self-centered?â
âIf sheâs too self-centered, sheâll be vulnerable toward setbacks in the future. I canât accompany her for the rest of my life.â
âYeah, thatâs true. Donât worry. Sheâs alright.â
She smiled. âThere are so many people backing her up, so thereâs nothing to be afraid of.â
Just as she was talking, her phone suddenly rang. It was Julian.
âSorry, Iâm going to answer this call.â
âSure.â
Rachel left the seat and pressed the answer button while walking toward the bathroom, âHello?â
âRach, where are you?â
âOut having dinner.â
âWith Jolly?â
âNo, with Justin.â
The other end of the phone went suspiciously silent for a long time. Rachel glanced at the screen of her mobile phone curiously. However, she did not hang up. âHello? Julian?â
âHuh?â
âI thought you hung up the phone. Itâs raining today, and the signal must not be good.â
âWhen did he come back?â
âI donât know. We just coincidentally met today, so we had dinner together, and we were just talking about work.â
âWhere are you? Iâll pick you up.â
Rachel was slightly stunned.
His tone suddenly made her feel uncomfortable.
She kept frowning after she came back from the washroom.
âSorry to keep you waiting for a long time.â
As he saw her furrowed brows, he couldnât help but ask, âWhatâs wrong? Did something happen?â
âItâs nothing. Letâs eat.â Rachel squeezed out a smile.
Julianâs attitude on the phone earlier made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
He stopped asking further when he sensed that she didnât wish to say more. So, instead, he only kept giving her food, asking her to taste them. Meanwhile, he, himself, did not eat much.
After dinner, he ordered an English dessert for her.
âThey have this here?â
Rachel felt surprised as she looked at the mouth-watering sea salt caramel pudding in front of her. âThe last time I ate this was five years ago.â
In the past, only the cook of the Burton Family could make this, as they were not sold outside.
âHave a taste.â
After taking a bite, she was even more surprised. âIt tastes exactly the same as I imagined it to be.â
Even after so many years, she still remembered the warm feeling in her heart the first time she had this sea salt caramel pudding.
I remember that day very clearly. Justin was not at home that day, and it was raining heavily too. When I returned from outside, I was locked out by Sue until the middle of the night when Ms. Grace secretly let me in and made me sea salt caramel pudding.
Although it was an unpleasant past, such a touch of warmth was also a memorable thing for Rachel. âI remember that only Ms. Grace can make this, and I didnât ask her how she did it back then. I also donât know where she is now.â
Justin replied, âThis place is established and run by Ms. Grace.â
Rachelâs eyes widened, âReally?!â
âItâs true.â Justin smiled, and it softened the austere look on his face. âWhy donât we call her out, and you can ask her personally?â
âIs she here?â
âShe should be,â Justin said while raising his hand to call for the server.
However, when he turned his head, he saw a figure coming in from the restaurantâs door. The smile in Justinâs eyes suddenly disappeared.
The visitor looked around and happened to meet Justinâs eyes.
Likewise, she also spotted the figure, and her eyes contracted a little in response.
Julian was dressed in a brown trench coat. Under silver-rimmed glasses, his eyes were warm yet spirited, and he walked straight to their table.
âJulian.â Rachel stood up.
He looked at her and said, âItâs raining cats and dogs today, so I wanted to pick you up.â
Once the concise sentence fell, the air suddenly condensed.
She furrowed her brows and said, âDidnât I say I drove here? So I can go home by myself!â
âIâm worried,â said Julian. As he spoke, he even gripped her arms. âLetâs go. Iâll take you home.â
All of a sudden, Justin grabbed Julian on the shoulder. âJulian.â
In an instant, the facial expression on Julianâs face sank. âWhat are you doing?â
âI should be asking you that. What are you doing?â
âIâm here to pick up my fiancée. What do you think Iâm doing?â
Like a shot, Justinâs arm suddenly froze. Fiancée?
Similarly, Rachel was also stunned. Since when did I become Julianâs fiancée? Why am I not aware of this?!
At this moment, many people in the restaurant had started looking at them. Since she did not want to embarrass everyone, she apologized to Justin, saying, âIâm sorry, I have to go first.â
Justinâs hand on Julianâs shoulder trembled. It froze for a second and fell.
âRachel, letâs go.â Julian took her bag and glanced at Justin before leaving. His eyes were icy, as if he had turned into another person.
She was dragged away by Julian, and when she was about to reach the entrance, the server stopped her with a bag. âMaâam, the fish and chips that gentleman packed for you.â
Just as she was about to take them, Julian said, âThereâs no need. Let him keep it for himself.â
With that, Julian directly took her and left the restaurant.
There was only Justin left on the seat, and she did not have the time to finish the sea salt caramel pudding across from him.
When he looked at the back silhouettes of the two people leaving, they looked like a perfect match. The only trace of warmth on his face disappeared with the disappearance of Rachelâs figure. Almost instantly, a great sense of loss swept in.
He abruptly frowned and grasped the corner of the table to pant. Then, as he felt his chest seemingly crushed by a boulder, he gasped for air.
Is this considered karma? Justin thought mockingly. I let Rachel suffer in the past, and now itâs my turn.
I deserve to suffer as she did. I deserve all this.