Anger/The Slap

"You've been moping all day, Madame. May I know what is bothering you?" Jules inquired, whilst standing by the doorpost.

He stared at Janice, and he noticed her hesitation. She bit her lips before letting a smile brighten up her face.

He could tell the smile wasn't from within and she only did it to dodge his question. He had studied her since she arrived with him to Cherview and he knew when she was trying to evade his question.

"It's nothi…"

"Don't tell me it's nothing." Jules asserted. "I've never seen you this gloomy before and I feel you are keeping a huge secret from me."

Janice furrowed her brow as her eyes bored into Jules' in the mirror. He looked quite serious and didn't seem like he would let her escape from the question like she had done last night.

She doubted if he already knew about what was going on and wanted to confirm from her. Because Jules often kept tabs on her and she didn't need to tell him some things before he knew what was going on.

It was one of the things she loathed about being with him. She felt it was an invasion of privacy.

But, he saw it as trying to keep his heir or heiress from harm's way. At least, that was what he always told her whenever she got pissed at him.

"Like I said yesterday." Janice began. "It's something minor. Also, I'm taking care of it already."

"No matter how minor it seems, I want to know as well," Jules said, still scrutinizing her.

He left where he stood and stepped towards her. However, he didn't get to where she was. Rather, he created some distance between them and continued to stare at her in the mirror.

Janice felt uneasy at his scrutiny. She believed she couldn't lie to him because he would always find out one way or another. Telling him the truth was the best, she told herself.

Moreover, she didn't want to experience whatever had happened back at the Island because he had promised to do it again if ever she disobeyed him.

Janice twisted her fingers as she thought of where to begin the narration from.

It was not a hard thing. She could tell him everything within seconds and forget about it.

But, knowing the kind of man Jules there was, there was no telling what he might do. Perhaps, he would take the next flight available to London and talk with her ex.

She believed he wouldn't be there to talk alone, but actions such as brawling would be involved.

She didn't want that. It would create an awful image for him if anyone, the Paparazzi, happens to see him brawling.

"Are you willing to tell me or do you want me to find out for myself?" Jules asked, cocking his brows.

"You don't need to get an answer from a third party," Janice mumbled, glaring.

By the third party, she meant the Queen.

Though the queen had said she believed she hadn't done anything wrong.

Yet, since Jules often listen to her whether she was right or wrong, she might add something to rile him, that would make him want to murder her ex and maybe her if he got the chance.

"Some pictures came in yesterday." Janice paused, assessing his face to see if he was listening to her or not.

"You mean this?"

"Where are you looking through my things?" Janice scowled at him as he waved the picture in the air.

"I wasn't. I assume you forgot I tucked you into bed and I saw the picture peeking out of your robe." He rolled his eyes whilst reminding her. Then he glanced at the pictures before glancing at her. "Who took this?"

"My ex," Janice mumbled.

"What does he want with you?"

"I don't know," Janice replied truthfully. She understood the b*st*rd was trying to ruin her. However, the reason for his action, she didn't know either.

"Is the baby his?" Jules's eyes darkened whilst he stared at Janice.

He stalked towards her and gripped her hand. "Who is the father of that tot in your stomach?"

"What is that supposed to mean?!" Janice attempted to free her hand from his grip, but she couldn't.

"Perhaps, you had an affair with him which resulted in whatever is in your belly!"

He released her hand and shoved her away.

Janice's scowl deepened, and she swirled, marching towards him. She stood on the ball of her feet and glared fiercely at him.

"Are you insinuating this baby isn't yours?" She pointed at her bulging stomach.

"Of course, I need to be sure. You might be with me because of my title…"

Jules's head went sideways before he could finish his statement.

The blow Janice had delivered on his cheek resounded through the room.

"I can't believe you right now!" She let out an exasperated sigh before stalking out of the room.

Jules's head reeled and his hand went to caress his right cheeks.

Janice had slapped him!

No woman had ever done that despite how furious they were with him. But she had!

However, he wouldn't blame her for being mad. He had questioned the paternity of the child she was carrying even though he knew he was her first and she hadn't been with anyone since then.

"Bloody hell! Pregnant women and their f**cking tempers!" He winced as he stroked the sore area.

Throughout the afternoon, Janice refused to talk to him or even see his face. Jules had even apologized, but she acted like she didn't hear him and had gone on bawling her eyes out.

He wanted to pull her into his arms. But he knew doing that might make him receive another slap from her.

He had kept to himself as well as did enough research on her douche ex with the little information he had gotten from her.

When he saw the face of the dumbhead that was taunting her, several thoughts on how to deal with him penetrated his mind. Although he didn't want to go extreme, he would surely make the SOB not forget not to toil with Janice anymore.