Chapter 974: Why Are You Crying?
"Don't tell Jane, and don't tell anyone else."
In other words, Anthony was covering for Aurora.
At that time, Jane felt as though she nearly died, and yet, Anthony let the matter slide so easily. She even suspected that Anthony had already guessed it was Aurora who was responsible and had deliberately pushed Shirly out to give her an 'explanation'.
Upon reflection, Jane realized that aside from Shirley, the only possible culprits were members of the Clark family.
If Anthony were protecting Ann, his mother, Jane could have understood his actions. But this time, the person in question was Aurora! However, considering that Aurora was Anthony’s fiancée, it seemed logical he would shield Aurora.
Leaning against the closed door, Jane slid to the ground. She looked up at the ceiling, and her vision was gradually blurred by tears. For a moment, she felt utterly ridiculous.
A persistent, dull pain emanated from her chest, not sharp but lingering and unshakeable. How could she have been so certain that Anthony would not protect Aurora?
Anthony had repeatedly assured her that he would not marry Aurora, and she had believed him all too readily.
Anthony had once been incredibly good to Jane. During their time together, he once told her that she could come to him with any difficulty or confusion. However, what happened?
When Jovan suffered an accident, Jane kneeled in the rain outside Anthony’s house all night with a high fever. In the end, Clint was the one who took her to the hospital. Anthony had not even shown his face.
…
The next day.
Anthony sat at the dining table, glancing at his watch five times before he asked Sadie, "She hasn't woken up yet?"
"No," Sadie responded, knowing the 'she' Anthony referred to was Jane.
During her stay with the Clarks, Jane typically awoke around seven, no later than eight, but now it was almost nine.
"Mr. Clark, the food is growing cold. Should we reheat it?" a servant asked.
Anthony was about to decline when he heard a noise from the stairs.
Jane appeared, fully dressed, her hair loosely and casually tied back. Her expression was particularly cold.
Anthony stared at Jane with a hint of suspicion for a few moments. As she approached, he asked, "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean what's wrong?"
The table was set with more than ten breakfast dishes, a variety of small portions that were not too extravagant for two people. Jane noticed that the food had remained untouched and chose a seat at the lower right of the table, two seats away from Anthony.
Anthony frowned. Jane had never chosen that seat before. Today, it seemed like she was intentionally distancing herself from him.
'No, 'seemed' is not the right word. She's definitely distancing herself from me.'
"Did you sleep well?" Anthony noted the slight puffiness of Jane's eyes but refrained from mentioning it.
"Not bad," Jane replied without looking up as she picked up a fork.
Just as she reached for the food, Anthony stood up and pressed her hand down.
Jane's displeasure was evident; she did not bother to hide her bad mood. She asked, "What? I can't even eat?"
"It's cold," Anthony responded. He called for a servant to take away the cold breakfast before he said to Jane, "Wait a moment."
Jane was reluctant to talk to him and decided to let him do as he pleased. It was only when she noticed that Anthony had entered the kitchen and had yet to return that her gaze drifted in that direction.
Ten minutes later, Anthony emerged with a plate of omelets and placed it before Jane.
Omelets were something Anthony used to make for Jane when she did not want to eat breakfast.
Anthony was not a naturally talented cook, but at that time, Jane had asked, "What if I just want to eat the breakfast you make?"
Those words motivated him to learn how to cook, but his skills were only limited to making breakfast.
"Want something else?" Anthony asked when he saw that Jane did not touch her fork and knife.
A chill swept through Jane's heart, bringing with it a pang of pain.
Jane lowered her gaze and turned slightly to avoid letting Anthony see her unusual state before she replied, "No, I just don't have much of an appetite."
However, Anthony knew Jane very well and had already sensed that something was amiss.
With just a gesture from him, Sadie led the other servants out of the dining room, leaving him and Jane alone.
"Jane, what's wrong?"
Anthony had already quietly moved to Jane's side by the time she heard his question. He placed a hand on the back of her chair, effectively encircling her. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her neck as he spoke.
Before Jane could respond, Anthony's slightly rough fingertip brushed the corner of her eye as he said, "Don't say it's nothing. Jane, you've been crying."
Jane lowered her gaze, overwhelmed by a wave of humiliation. She was not sure if her tears were because Anthony gave her the illusion that he did not care about Aurora but chose to protect Aurora when her life was at risk, or because she had almost let her guard down around him again, unintentionally.
"Why did you cry?" Anthony pulled a chair closer and sat beside her, searching her eyes for answers.
Jane had always been someone who refused to cry. She believed that crying was a sign of weakness that solved nothing and was merely a waste of energy and effort.
"I didn't cry," Jane insisted, "I just didn't sleep well. I had a nightmare."
"What did you dream about?" Anthony asked, clearly skeptical.
"I dreamed I was disfigured."
Anthony raised an eyebrow, surprised that she would tell such an extreme lie. After all, she was someone who cared greatly about her appearance.
Jane stared at the patterned floor for a few seconds and took a shallow breath before she met Anthony's gaze and asked, "Anthony, is there something you want to tell me?"
Anthony frowned as he carefully studied Jane. He sensed that her question had a deeper meaning.
"No?" Jane stood up, and the flicker of hope in her eyes was extinguished like a snuffed-out candle as she said, "If not, then forget it."
"Jane, are you upset because I applied the medicine for you last night?" Anthony asked, both serious and confused.
Jane did not want to argue with Anthony, so she replied, "I'm not upset, I'm angry. Anthony, please maintain a proper distance from me in the future."
She quickly walked toward the stairs, but after a few steps, she realized something was amiss.
This was not her home, it was Anthony's. There was no reason for her to hide in the guest room she occupied, but she could not leave either. If she left, she would have to return, which would only be even more embarrassing.
Jane felt like a small animal confined under someone else's roof, tethered by a leash, suffocating yet unable to break free.
"Jane, stop right there!"
Anthony closed the distance in two swift steps and grabbed Jane's wrist. His body tensed as he noticed how her already slender wrist seemed even thinner.
"What?" Jane turned to look back at him.
At this moment, Sadie burst in, her face etched with concern.
"Anthony, there's trouble at the hospital! Aurora is emotionally unstable and is demanding a drainage procedure."
Jane was shocked. At the same time, she felt Anthony's grip tighten around her wrist, the pressure causing her pain. She wrenched her hand away. She endured the pain and did not massage her hand. Instead, she held her hand behind her back defensively as she stared at him with eyes as cold as ice.
'Anthony cares a lot about Aurora. He even lost his composure because of her,' Jane thought to herself.
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