I Took His Pampering and Left Him Behind Chapter 02

“Marcus, feed me. My hands hurt.”

The system hadn’t assigned a mission right now, but I kept up my spoiled wife persona

anyway.

I held out my scraped palms and showed him my oozing blisters.

Marcus’s expression softened a little. He took the spoon and fed me a bite of congee.

“Mr. Parker, I hope I’m not intruding while you feed your ‘daughter’.”

Selena stood in the doorway, hair pulled into a high ponytail, dressed in crisp athletic wear.

She watched me with a knowing smirk.

Marcus pulled his hand away.

“Feed yourself.”

He turned to Selena.

“What is it?”

“Rock climbing. I was wondering if you’d join me.” Her voice was clear and confident, the tone

of someone used to calling the shots.

“Sure. Sounds like a good way to stretch my legs.”

Marcus agreed without hesitation and headed upstairs to change.

“Be good while I’m gone, Bonnie. Don’t wander off with hurt feet.”

On his way out, he seemed to just remember the pet waiting for him at home and tossed out a

lazy warning.

[Mission activated; Follow them.]

I put on my best performance, chased after him barefoot to the entryway, and clung tightly to

his waist.

“Take me with you!”

“Don’t go alone with her! Have you changed your mind? Don’t you love me anymore?”

Selena crossed her arms and stared down at me, like I was putting on a cheap, embarrassing show.

“Mr. Parker, your spoiled wife has quite the possessive streak.”

“Honestly, it’s sad seeing a woman with no life of her own.”

In the end, Marcus brought me along. I’d dissolved into hysterical sobs in his arms, and he’d given in.

Onde, my tears had filled him with soft fondness and helplessness. Today, all I saw was endless irritation.

At the climbing gym, Marcus and Selena stood side by side in matching athletic gear. They looked perfectly suited for each other.

Meanwhile, I stood behind them in a white sundress and heels, like I belonged to a whole different world.

Selena reached the top first, her movements smooth and practiced. She was clearly an experienced climber.

A flicker of admiration crossed Marcus’s face. I’d never once gotten that look from him.

When he looked at me, it was always from above, the way a man watches a pet.

[Mission activated: Compete against Selena.]

I wrapped both arms around his forearm and whined.

“Marcus! Stop looking at her! I can climb too, if she can!”

Marcus’s mouth flattened-that telltale sign he was losing patience.

Even so, he sent someone to get me changed and personally double-checked my safety harness.

“Take it easy. Don’t push yourself.”

His tone was flat, like calming a restless kitten.

Selena leaned over the edge of the top platform and glanced down at us, lifting her chin in

challenge.

“What’s the fun of the beginner route, Mr. Parker? Race me on the advanced wall.”

Marcus looked eager. He stepped toward the harder climb.

“I wanna race too, Marcus!” I grabbed his hand, my tone petulant.

This time Marcus’s patience snapped completely. His voice turned cold.

“Suit yourself.”

At first, he climbed slowly, keeping half an eye on me.

“Climbing is about speed and adrenaline. If you’re bringing a child along, leave her at home.”

Selena called back as she picked up her pace.

Marcus threw himself fully into the competition and forgot I was behind him entirely.

They both reached the summit long before I did.

I’d grown up in the mountains. Climbing slopes was second nature to me. I could’ve raced

right past them, but I dragged my feet to keep up the act.

[Mission activated: Beg Marcus for help.]

I instantly pretended my strength gave out, gazing up at him with watery eyes.

“Marcus, I’m exhausted. Can you come get me?”

Selena laughed from the top.

“Your little pearl doesn’t have much stamina. Want me to train her?”

She picked up a handful of loose gravel from the climbing wall, weighed it in her palm, and tossed the pebbles straight at me.

I dodged while clinging to the wall, looking thoroughly disheveled.

Marcus only stood there, arms folded, watching coldly.

“She’s gotten far too coddled. It’s about time someone knocked that out of her.”

They spoke casually, like they were discussing some trivial toy.

[Ping! Mission points credited.]

That mission earned me forty thousand points. My progress bar inched forward again.

I gritted my teeth. Just a little longer.