The sunlight spilled through the tall windows of the London mansion, illuminating the polished kitchen surfaces and the neatly arranged utensils. Julia stood at the center, her hands moving with precision as she chopped, stirred, and plated dishes. Cooking had become her sanctuary, a world she could control—a sharp contrast to her life with Khalil.
For two months, she had focused solely on perfecting her skills. Under Adeline's patient guidance, she had mastered Korean delicacies, English classics, Spanish tapas, and even a few Nigerian dishes. Each creation was flawless, a testament to her diligence and growing confidence.
"You've outdone yourself again," Adeline said, arms folded, surveying the table. "I've never seen someone learn so fast. You could run a restaurant now, Julia."
Julia smiled faintly. "I guess I needed something that was mine… something I could control."
Adeline nodded knowingly. "Sometimes control is all we have in a world that feels out of our hands. You've grown, Julia. Never forget that."
Even as she listened, Julia's thoughts kept drifting to Khalil. She didn't know where he had gone, only that he would be gone for two months. That period was nearly over—just a day or two remained—and her heart ached with a mixture of fear, longing, and uncertainty. She had been afraid to call him, not because of danger, but because he didn't love her. He had married her to make her suffer, and she could not risk exposing herself to further cruelty.
Her fingers lingered on the chopping board as she remembered the brown-eyed man who had delivered Khalil's number weeks ago. That number sat in her pocket, burning with possibility and dread. Could she really summon the courage to call?
The kitchen door opened with a soft creak. Nephis, Adeline's daughter, stepped in, her brown eyes flickering with something Julia had learned to recognize: jealousy.
"I see you've been busy," Nephis said, her voice sharp. "Trying to impress him, I suppose?"
Julia froze mid-motion. "Excuse me?"
Nephis leaned against the counter, arms crossed, a mischievous smile on her face. "Khalil. Don't act innocent. You've been thinking about him. You're married to him now, and I can't help feeling… jealous."
Julia's heart skipped. "Jealous? Why?"
Nephis's lips tightened. "Because I like him. I've had a crush on him for ages, and now you're in the way. You have him, and I… don't. That's all."
Julia blinked, surprised. So Nephis wasn't his ex-girlfriend; she simply had an intense crush—and her jealousy had been misinterpreted as something more. Julia exhaled, trying to steady herself. "I see… I didn't know."
Nephis's eyes softened for a moment, but then the tension returned. "Just… don't think I'll forget how unfair this is. I can't help the way I feel."
Julia returned to her cooking, silently vowing to remain focused on herself. Cooking had given her independence, pride, and a sense of purpose. She had mastered her craft, and she would not allow jealousy, fear, or uncertainty to distract her.
Even so, the phone in her pocket called to her relentlessly. The number Khalil had entrusted to the brown-eyed man burned with possibility. She hesitated, fingers trembling. He didn't love her. He had married her to make her suffer. What could she possibly say?
Finally, after a deep, steadying breath, Julia pressed the first digit.
The line rang twice before a sharp voice answered. "Julia Kim?"
Her chest tightened. "Yes… it's me," she whispered.
A pause. Cold. Distant. "Why are you calling?"
Julia swallowed. "I… I wanted to… speak. I've been learning… and growing. I thought you should know."
Another pause, and the tension in her chest tightened. "Learning?" he asked, his voice measured, almost unreadable. "Explain."
"I've focused on… myself," she admitted. "Cooking, skills, independence. I wanted something I could master, something that's mine. Since… life with you… has been… difficult."
Silence. Then, slowly, he said: "I see. Keep your skills sharp. We'll speak later."
The call ended, leaving Julia with a mixture of relief, fear, and quiet triumph. She had faced him, risked his judgment, and survived. She was stronger now—more independent than she had ever been.
Nephis peeked in again, smirking. "See? Nothing to worry about. Though… you might want to cook him something special next time. You're amazing, Julia."
Julia allowed herself a genuine smile. For the first time in months, she felt a spark of courage. She had mastered her craft, faced her fears, and discovered that even in the shadow of someone who wanted to see her suffer, she could grow stronger.
The two months had almost ended, but for Julia, the real test—facing Khalil fully, understanding his intentions, and asserting her independence—was just beginning.
The quiet of the London mansion settled around Julia like a soft cloak, but inside her, restlessness stirred. The call to Khalil still echoed in her mind. He hadn't expressed anger, but his cold distance had reminded her of the truth: he didn't love her. He had married her to make her suffer, and that knowledge had shadowed every interaction between them. Yet, for the first time in months, she felt a spark of something new—control over her life.
Her hands itched to be busy, but she wasn't going to retreat into the kitchen this time. Cooking had been her sanctuary, but the streets of London offered a test of independence she hadn't dared attempt until now. She would venture out before Khalil returned—before the final days of his absence passed—to reclaim a sense of freedom and agency.
Grabbing her jacket, Julia pocketed the GPS device Adeline had given her weeks ago. The device had been intended for errands within the city, but now it would serve as her guide through a world she had only observed from the mansion's walls. She took a deep breath and stepped outside, the crisp evening air bracing against her face.
The streets hummed with life—taxis honking, people chattering, the scent of baked bread and roasted coffee drifting from cafés. Julia walked with steady confidence, following the gentle directions of the GPS. Every step was deliberate, a small victory over the fear and hesitation that had once gripped her.
She navigated to a boutique she had marked in her notes weeks ago. Inside, the store's warmth and light contrasted with the cool evening air outside. Julia moved through the racks deliberately, selecting pieces that reflected her independence and personal style. Each choice she made was a declaration: she was reclaiming her life, one decision at a time.
Her thoughts, however, kept drifting back to Nephis. The girl's jealousy and intense crush on Khalil had been obvious for weeks, but Julia now understood the truth: Nephis wasn't an ex-girlfriend, only a girl with unspoken feelings. That revelation had eased a small part of her mind, but the tension between them lingered. Nephis's presence was a reminder of how delicate the balance of emotions around Khalil truly was.
After making her selections, Julia navigated back home, the GPS guiding her safely to the mansion. Her bags were neatly placed in her room, each item a testament to her growing confidence. For the first time, she realized that she had been shaping her life intentionally, not simply reacting to Khalil's coldness or the world's unpredictability.
Nephis appeared once more, lingering at the doorway with her familiar mix of envy and admiration. "You really are different," she admitted quietly. "Confident… independent… skilled. I didn't expect this from you."
Julia smiled softly, the faint pride in her chest warming her. "I've had two months to grow, Nephis. I intend to keep growing. You can do the same."
The sun had nearly set, casting long shadows across the mansion. Outside, London moved with a steady rhythm, oblivious to the tension building inside the walls. Julia knew that in just a day or two, Khalil would return. His arrival would test her independence, her courage, and the strength she had cultivated.
She placed the GPS device back on the table and gazed out the window, imagining the streets she had walked, the choices she had made, and the life she was beginning to claim as her own. For now, the mansion was quiet, the kitchen immaculate, and her heart steady. She was ready for what came next.
Tomorrow, everything would change.