25: Does he like bread?

Does he like bread?

"Heaven, how did you..?"2

"Hmm? How did I learn Spanish?" Heaven smiled at Paula, as the latter spoke as soon as the attendant left. Her lips stretched broader and confidently, speaking in another language fluently. "In other words, even if I stayed indoors, I need some hobbies."

"Hobbies?" Paula furrowed her brows. If there was any hobby Paula knew Heaven had, that was to cry and be an ingrate.

"Gosh. Can you imagine yourself doing nothing inside your room all year round?" Heaven laughed. "It's not like I focused on it. It was actually very simple to learn."

"Ah… then why did you ask me to explain everything if you already know how to speak the language?"

"Because you seemed excited to help me." Heaven blinked innocently like a complete blockhead. "I thought I will hurt your feelings if I declined."

'Then you should've pretended you don't know until the end!' was what Paula wanted to argue, but bit her tongue instead. "Oh. I thought you needed help, so I offered."

"It's fine. No big deal. It only shows how you truly care for me." Heaven smiled brightly. "Anyway, I see you were still struggling with the language. Should I teach you? Just like the old times?"

Paula frowned, digging her nails into her lap. Was Heaven growing dumber? Paula knew Heaven was already highly emotional, that she could barely function. But now, even though Heaven was a lot more energetic, she still wasn't using her head.

Paula denied all possibilities that Heaven was saying hurtful things on purpose. She was blaming Heaven's ignorance. There was no way in hell Heaven would be so cunning.

The Heaven Paula knew was a kind-hearted girl with a straightforward personality. If Heaven was angry, she would express it. Thus, if she was upset with Paula, Heaven would make it clear to her. That was how Heaven dealt with things.

"It's alright." Paula recomposed herself with a smile. "I already hired a tutor. Also, how can I bother you?"

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm." Paula nodded. "You'll be busy moving — have you packed your things? Should we pick them up after?"

"Right."

"Hmm?"

"I am not getting a divorce."

"What?!"

Heaven tilted her head to the side at Paula's reaction.

"Oh, sorry." Paula cleared her throat. "What do you mean, you're not getting a divorce? Heaven, did he threaten you again? Why are you suddenly changing your mind?"

"Paula, it's not like that." Heaven leaned back. "Dom didn't threaten me or anything of the sort."

"Then, why? If he's not threatening you, did he talk you out of it? Did he guilt-trip you again? Using your son just so you stay in this miserable marriage?"

"Paula."

"Heaven." Paula leaned in and clasped the edge of the table. "Don't let him sway you. Mr. Zhu is a powerful man. He can ruin anyone without lifting a finger. He shamelessly forced you into this marriage after violating you —"

SLAM!

A thick layer of frost suddenly appeared in Heaven's eyes as she slammed her hand on the table. Her aggressive action made Paula jolt from her seat, wide-eyed.

"Heaven?" Paula's lips quivered, sensing this inexplicable aura emanating from her friend. "Why are you —"

"How dare you?" Paula's breath hitched at Heaven's cold tone. "How dare you bring up something like that?"

Paula bit her bottom lip as she lowered her eyes. She knew this topic was sensitive and was enough to anger her. However, Paula had to mention this every once in a while to remind Heaven of her resentment toward Dominic Zhu. She got away from it in the past after coaxing Heaven, and she was certain it would be the same this time.

"Paula, I will be honest with you. Sometimes, I can't help but question this friendship," Heaven spoke after a moment of silence, watching Paula raise her head again. "Even if what you're spewing was true, how can you easily bring up your friend's trauma? Are you that insensitive? Or were you trying to hurt me on purpose?"

"Heaven, it's not like that —"

SLAM!

"I let this slide in the past because you are my friend. However, I am utterly upset and disappointed in you." Heaven planted her hands on the table and pushed herself up. "My husband didn't threaten or talk me out of the divorce. I am old enough to decide for myself, and I chose to fix my marriage. That's what I wanted to tell you today."

"I lost my appetite, so I'm going home first," she added, looking down at the shock dominating Paula's face. "Thanks for offering your place, but I don't need it anymore."

With that being said, Heaven picked up her purse and walked away. She didn't look back at Paula even once, nor did her steps falter. Meanwhile, Paula stayed seated with her eyes fixed on the shut door.

"Fix her marriage?" Paula scoffed, biting her inner lip as hard as she could. "No. I don't think she meant that. She's just probably upset — did I push my luck too far?"

Paula bit her thumb out of habit to ease her nervousness. After minutes of pondering about it, she shook her head.

"She'll cool down soon. Once she did, I'm certain she will apologize." She nodded, convinced and confident in Heaven's pattern. "That dumb bitch will soon cry to me, begging me to help her out of this marriage."

*************

"Damn it." As Heaven was walking out of the mall, the corner of her lips continued to curve down. "She makes me angry. How dare she speak of big words so lightly — gosh, she makes me angry. Good thing I had lunch at Grandma Zhu's house. Else, I would've sent her to hell where she belongs."

Heaven dragged her feet to the exit of the mall when something wafted through her nostrils. She turned her head, sniffing hard, only to see a bakeshop near the entrance and exit of the mall.

"Does he like bread?" she wondered, and before she could find an answer, Heaven's feet already dragged her inside the bakeshop.

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