“I told you, you won’t escape The Lynch Family or me in this lifetime,” he sneered, “Before I’ve abandoned my fun with you, don’t even think about running away.”
“Carter will been taken good care of in the hospital; you don’t need to worry. For these days, just rest peacefully here. Don’t think about anything, and don’t step out of this room. Do you understand?” After saying that, he turned and left.
I slowly sat down by the window, the fragrant breeze soothing my tangled thoughts. I turned my head and saw a row of iron railings outside the window, with several small flower pots, cultivating various colors of hydrangeas.
Since childhood, I had a fondness for flowers and plants. I remembered one year for Cameron’s birthday; I gave him a pot of hydrangeas. However, he couldn’t get over his sister’s death and angrily smashed the pot to the ground.
Now, looking at the flowers outside the window, it reminded me of that incident, bringing about a peculiar feeling, like a faint starlight igniting in the depths of my subconscious.
After taking a shower, I lay back on the large bed. I gently closed my eyes, and my mind became blank. Soon, I fell asleep again. It was a comfortable sleep, free from the disturbances of confusing dreams. There was only one scene in my dream–someone holding my hand, and the warmth in the palm was very real, very comforting.
I didn’t know what this foretold, but I felt like a prey, gradually walking into the trap set by Cameron.
Cameron’s “no” had no effect on me. After sleeping in that apartment, I still went to the hospital to continue taking care of Carter. Regardless of what Cameron said, I couldn’t betray my conscience. Carter was my responsibility and duty.
The doctor said Carter’s recovery was good, and the hospital treatment was complete. The rest depended on home recuperation. He repeatedly emphasized that I should avoid causing any stress to the patient. Also, if there were signs of memory recovery, I must contact the hospital promptly.
I agreed repeatedly, feeling conflicted. I hoped for Carter’s complete recovery, yet I didn’t want him to recall that particular memory. It would be best if he could forget that day, giving us both a chance.
On that morning, I felt a bit uneasy. I even miscalculated the hospitalization fee while processing the discharge procedures.
After returning home, I didn’t let myself idle. First, I washed all the clothes Carter wore in the hospital, and then I helped him into the bathroom to bathe.
“You don’t have to rush like this,” Carter whispered to me. “These things can be done anytime. After all, we’re already back home.”
I forced a smile and helped him undress. As I unbuttoned his shirt, Carter’s body stiffened, and I felt him trembling slightly. His breath became hurried.
Taking a daring glance, I met his intense gaze. He was looking at me with a gradually emerging desire. He grabbed my hand suddenly, and I instinctively recoiled but didn’t pull away.
“Laura…” he rasped, and I looked down to see the movement of his Adam’s apple. He licked his dry lips, as if he had something to say. However, after a long while, apart from that hoarse “Laura,” there was only an endless silence between us.
I quickly stood up and twisted a hot towel.
I was afraid of his touch, even though such things were entirely normal between husband and wife.
“Laura, what’s wrong with you?” Carter’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.
I felt a bit sad; I didn’t know what was wrong. It was an instinctive desire to keep my distance. Such thoughts were sinful; he was my husband, yet I couldn’t wholeheartedly love him.
“Nothing,” I changed the subject, moving behind him. “Let me wash your back.”
“Are you tired?” His tone was very gentle. “You haven’t rested much during this time… Otherwise, starting today, let the servants take care of these things, or we can find two nurses from the hospital to look after me.”
“No!” I hurriedly said. “I’m your wife, taking care of you is my responsibility.”
“I’m afraid you’ll get tired…”
“I won’t.”
I interrupted him, taking off the innermost vest. His entire upper body appeared in front of me, smooth and bare.
Years of illness had worn him down, leaving his figure thin, his skin pale. Yet, even so, he remained a remarkably handsome man.
Unlike Cameron’s beastly strength, Carter’s body exuded a more delicate beauty.
I slowly wiped Carter’s body, but my mind started to wander, and Cameron’s figure kept swaying before my eyes… his solid chest, muscular arms, and the distinct lines of his muscles. He emitted a dominant and intense male aura, forceful possession, and the…
Every climax he triggered in my body.
These things rushed over me like waves in an instant. I was caught off guard, my ears getting hot, and I felt anxious. The towel in my hand fell to the ground with a slap.
“Laura, what’s wrong?”
I desperately suppressed the inexplicable heat that surged within me. Fortunately, Carter had his back to me, so he couldn’t see my current state.
I lowered my head to pick up the towel, and from the corner of my eye, I noticed a pair of black slippers at the door, gradually approaching…
For a moment, I was scared out of my wits and screamed.
Carter was startled too. He looked towards the door, then let out a long breath and teased, “Cameron? You walk without making a sound, no wonder you scared Laura like this…”
How could he come in?
My heart was pounding, and I glanced at myself in the nearby mirror, seeing my face, which seemed like unusual red.
Cameron walked in, his gaze falling on my face. I looked up to meet his eyes, as cold and mocking as ever, but there seemed to be a hint of dissatisfaction this time.
“I came to find Laura,” he said softly. “I saw your door was open, so I came in… Did I disturb you?”
“No,” Carter chuckled. “She’s been busy taking care of me since we came back from the hospital. What do you need her for?”
“Isn’t she a graduate in journalism? We have several corporate press releases. I’d like her to help revise them.”
“Do you have time now?”
It definitely wasn’t anything good… I cursed inwardly.
But Carter didn’t think so. He urged me to quickly tidy up and go with Cameron to check those press releases, “Letting you get involved in company affairs… This is a good opportunity. Haven’t you always wanted to work?”
I declined a few times but obediently followed Cameron.
Rationally, I hoped Carter would stop me, let me stay by his side and help him bathe. However, the restlessness I had just suppressed started to stir again in my heart. I even found myself anticipating something to happen in that study.
Laura, you’ve become shameful.
As I expected, there were no damn press releases. Once the study door closed, he pressed me against the wall. I furrowed my brows, closed my eyes, preparing to endure whatever was going to happen next. However, he didn’t make the next move. I could only hear his heavy breathing and forceful heartbeat, which seemed particularly abrupt in the silent air.
I slowly opened my eyes.
“What do you want to do?”
“What I want to do, aren’t you clear?” He caressed my cheek, his rough palm making me feel itchy every time.
I sneered, looking straight at him. “Then hurry up, preferably within the time it takes to review few press releases. I have to go back to wash my husband…”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Do you not know how long I usually take?”
“You…”
A sharp pain shot through my face. “Now you’re bold enough to help another man bathe?”
I forced an smile. “That’s my husband…”
“It’s not allowed with anyone!” he growled.
His nose was against my ear, and his scorching breath felt like venom, seeping into my bloodstream. “In this world, except for me, you can’t look at anyone else!”
Except for me, you can’t look at anyone else…
Cameron let go of me, opened the door, and walked away. However, that sentence echoed in my ears for a long time.
…
In that moment, I suddenly felt that my feelings for Cameron seemed to have changed. Maybe it was different, from the beginning, but I just hadn’t realized it.
And in this instant, it was as if a fuse had ignited all my feelings for him.
I began to actively care about him in small things. For example, every time I did the laundry for Carter, I would inexplicably wander into Cameron’s room to check if there were any dirty clothes to be washed.
Sometimes, after washing his shirts, I would carefully iron them, smelling the faint fragrance left by the sunlight. I would unconsciously indulge in certain fantasies.