Chapter 9 The Spark that Ignited

Sophia's Pov

"My mistress, your attention is needed," the maid said, her voice soft but urgent.

"Okay," I replied, setting aside my thoughts and making my way downstairs. As I descended, I was greeted by two young and beautiful maids who stood guard at the foot of the stairs.

"My mistress, our lord said you should wait for him at the dining table," one of the maids said, her eyes cast downward in respect.

"Okay," I said, nodding and making my way to the dining table. The room was filled with an array of delicious-looking dishes, and my stomach growled in anticipation. I sat down and waited patiently, as was my habit, for Julian to join me before I ate.

But as the minutes ticked by, Julian failed to appear. It had been almost an hour, and I was starting to feel a mix of concern and irritation. I called one of the maids over and asked about Julian's whereabouts.

"He will be here soon, my mistress," she replied, her voice reassuring.

I nodded and sat back down, trying to wait patiently. But as the minutes continued to drag on, my curiosity got the better of me. One of the guards emerged from Julian's bedroom, carrying a bundle of clothes. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

I pretended to remember something and turned to one of my maids. "Please, I forgot my necklace on the bed. Could you please get it for me?" I asked.

The maid nodded and hurried off to retrieve my necklace. Before she could return, I took the opportunity to glance around the dining table and notice what was missing. I spotted that there was no water on the table and pretended to cough.

"Please, get me a cup of water," I said to the remaining maid.

She nodded and hurried off to the kitchen. As soon as she was out of sight, I seized the opportunity to sneak out of the dining room. I followed the guard who had been carrying Julian's clothes and found myself in a beautiful and lush garden.

But what I saw there made my blood run cold. Julian was surrounded by a group of naked women, and my heart felt like it had been punched.

"Julian!" I exclaimed, my voice carrying across the garden.

He immediately looked up, and all the women standing around him quickly stood up, put on their dresses, and hurriedly left. I was shocked and hurt by what I had just witnessed.

"Julian, I should be the one here with you," I said, trying to keep my emotions in check.

I undressed down to my underwear and entered the pool to join him, but he hissed in annoyance and got out of the pool. I quickly put on my dress and followed him.

He sat down at the dining table, his expression unrepentant. "Julian, this is not what you promised me when you first asked me out," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

He looked up at me, a hint of defensiveness in his eyes. "Oh, you chased away the maids who used to bathe me," he said.

I was taken aback. "What? They're just maids," I replied.

Julian nodded. "They're the ones who bathe me every morning," he said, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Julian was a grown man, and yet he couldn't even bathe himself? I felt a surge of disappointment and frustration. What kind of relationship had I gotten myself into?

"This is nothing, absolutely nothing," Julian said with a wave of his hand, as if dismissing the scene I had just witnessed.

He reached into his pocket and brought out a small, exquisite gold box. He opened it and handed it to me. I took it, feeling a mix of emotions: surprise, curiosity, and a hint of skepticism.

As I opened the box, I gasped in delight. Inside, nestled in a bed of velvet, was a stunning golden wristwatch. The intricate details and craftsmanship were breathtaking.

"I love it, Julian," I said, trying to sound sincere despite the turmoil brewing inside me.

Julian smiled, his eyes gleaming with pleasure. "You deserve better," he said, his voice low and husky.

I looked up at him, searching for any sign of remorse or guilt for what I had just witnessed. But all I saw was a charming smile and a gaze that seemed to bore into my soul. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered what lay beneath Julian's polished exteriors.

"You are my heart, and all that matters to me," Julian said, his voice filled with emotion.

As soon as he finished speaking, two maids emerged from nowhere and moved to his side. One knelt down beside his left hand, while the other knelt down beside his right hand. They picked up pieces of food and began feeding him, as if he were a child.

I was taken aback by this display. I had wanted to feed him myself, but the maid on his right hand stopped me. I felt a surge of annoyance and frustration.

"Sophia, please eat your meal," Julian said, his voice calm and reassuring.

But I was beyond consolation. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Julian, the man who claimed to love me, was being fed like a child by two maids. I felt a wave of disgust wash over me.

I quickly stood up, unable to bear the sight any longer. I hissed in annoyance and stormed out of the room, leaving Julian and the maids behind. Julian called out to me, but I didn't reply. I just kept walking, my heart heavy with emotion.

Thirty minutes had passed since I stormed out of the dining room, and I was still fuming with anger and hurt. But then, I heard the door to my room open, and Julian walked in.

"Sophia, I truly love you and care about you," he said, his voice soft and gentle.

I turned to face him, my eyes blazing with anger. "No," I said, my voice firm and resolute.

Julian looked taken aback by my response. "Those ladies are my maids," he explained. "It is their duty to feed me every morning."

I felt a wave of incredulity wash over me. "What?" I exclaimed, my voice rising in shock.

Julian nodded, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "Yes," he said, his expression calm and unruffled. "I've had them since I was a child. They've always taken care of me."

I shook my head, trying to process what I was hearing.