Chapter 400
“I don’t have the ability to track you just to create an ‘accidental’ meeting,” Dalores struggled to keep her composure, afraid that crying would make her seem more desperate in front of him.
She tried to free herself from his grip, but his hold was too strong.
“Why don’t you leave Onaland?” Julio pulled her closer, their foreheads almost touching, leaving her with no space to think.
“I’ve been living in Onaland for over a decade. My friends, my teachers, my entire life is here. Where do you expect me to go?” Tears began to well up in Dalores’ eyes. “Are you not just pushing me away, but trying to ruin me completely? Did you help me out of hardship in the past just to throw me back into it now?”
How difficult was it for a young woman, just out of university, with no savings, to make it on her own in a foreign city? Could she secure a job? Could she manage to support herself? Could she afford rent?
“So, you reject the money but stay here to play the victim,” Julio let go of her wrist, looking down at her with scorn. “Dalores, you—”
Perhaps Julio’s stare was too intense, filled with such disdain that it made Dalores’ stomach churn. Suddenly, she turned, clutching the trash bin and retching.
Dalores had become noticeably thinner.
Julio observed her frail figure, his eyebrows knitting together in concern.
After some time, Dalores managed to recover slightly. She quickly rinsed her mouth with water and stood up, deliberately avoiding Julio’s gaze. “I have nothing more to say to you. Please, just leave.”
ｍ𝚘𝚛ｅ ｕ𝚙ｄ𝚊ｔｅｓ 𝚒ｎ ɢ𝚊ｌ𝚗𝚘ｖ𝚎ｌ𝚜.𝚌𝚘𝚖
In the stillness of the room, the scent of Dalores’ vomit lingered in the air, but Julio seemed unfazed by it.
It wasn’t until the door nudged open and a voice from outside called, “Dalores, are you in there?”
“I am,” Dalores replied quickly, then pushed past Julio.
“Why are you blocking the door?” the floor manager asked, his eyes curious as he looked at Dalores.
Dalores hesitated, unsure whether to let the manager in, worried he might see Julio. “I… I’m not feeling well, but I’ll be back to work shortly.”
The manager paused for a moment, then a realization dawned on him. “You vomited again? Have you been to the doctor? Are you preg…”
“Thanks, but I don’t need to go to the hospital; it’s just some stomach issues. I’m heading to work now,” Dalores quickly explained, her voice tinged with unease, wary of the manager’s potential response.
Noticing Dalores’ reluctance to engage in further conversation, the floor manager briskly replied, “Then hurry up, don’t hold things up. If you’re ill, get it sorted. Who’s going to cover for you if you’re paid but can’t work?”
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