But just like in the dream, I couldn’t grasp his hand, no matter how hard I tried.
I missed…
He reached back and grabbed my throat, but his fingers didn’t exert any force.
He silently looked at me, the quiet and overwhelming power making me feel like I was just an ant he could crush at any moment.
“Laura, I like you,” he said coldly, “I like your body.”
Suddenly, I heard the sound of my heart shattering.
Body?
Cameron’s fingers gradually moved down, gliding over my collarbone and lingering on my chest. He leaned in, his breath heavy, and his hoarse voice carried a hint of mockery. “I like your body, that’s all.”
“So many times… and it’s still so tight and slick. Every time, it brings me to the peak. You’re different from other women, clean, and don’t cost a penny. From head to toe, it’s all my scent. How can I not like you?”
His large hand roamed on my back.
An indescribable sense of humiliation and anger surged through me, coursing through every vein. That bone-deep pain is a brand that will never be erased from my life. What more could I say?
I was truly just a plaything in his hands. Perhaps that day at the study door was just another one of my illusions.
But this illusion was too painfully real, real enough to make my entire heart sank. Real enough that I was willing to stay by his mother’s side for two days and nights without sleep just because of his casual “like.” I was willing to risk my life for the sake of the people he cared about.
I was so foolish.
Cameron withdrew his hand, let out a light snort, and walked briskly towards the door.
“I’m planning to propose to The Scott family in these two days,” he said as he reached the doorway with his back to me. “I’ll get engaged to Queenie, then get married… But, Laura, our relationship won’t change.”
“You will always be my plaything and slave,” he turned his head with a mocking smile. “As long as I desire, you’ll have to appear!”
I sat on the bed in a daze, feeling like my soul had been sucked away. After a long while, I forced a bitter smile, realizing that from the moment at the study door until now, it had all been a long and heart-wrenching dream.
I returned to my room in a daze. As soon as Carter saw me come in, he hastily dropped the book he was holding and hurried over to me with his cane, his eyes filled with concern.
“How are you feeling, Laura? Are you okay? I can see your complexion is quite pale… Why aren’t you resting more?”
Seeing me remain silent, he held my hand and continued with a smile, “Look… I changed the bed sheets. You’ve been busy taking care of mom these past few days, and I didn’t let the servants change the sheets. I know you don’t like others touching your things, and you always prefer to change the sheets yourself…”
“But, Laura, I… I changed them myself just now! I hurriedly changed them, wanting you to have a comfortable sleep. I…”
My heart trembled violently at that moment. I hugged Carter tightly, stood on tiptoe, and gently kissed his lips.
I distinctly felt Carter’s body tense for a moment.
His breathing was erratic, and he seemed a bit unsteady on his feet. I wrapped my arms around his back, embracing his body.
I knew that what I embraced wasn’t just a man, not my husband. It was merely a sense of guilt, a compensation. In my mind, I scolded myself. Laura, what are you doing? What are you treating Carter as? A fallback option?
However, I didn’t want to let him go.
Carter gently pushed my shoulders. His eyes widened, a look of surprise and disbelief on his face. His lips twitched, and suddenly, he smiled like a child who had finally received a long-awaited treat.
My tears rushed out all at once. I felt like I owed him so much. I’m a fucking asshole.
Cameron insulted me, despised me, and I sought a sense of existence in Carter. It was unfair to Carter, but he was my lifeline. If I couldn’t hold on to Cameron, I had to desperately cling to Carter; otherwise, I would be like in that dream, stepping into an abyss with no chance of recovery.
“Laura…” After a while, Carter uttered a low, excited sound. “Laura, you…”
“Carter!” I looked at him. “Carter, I am your wife. Isn’t this kind of thing normal?”
“Eh…”
“I’m sorry, I neglected you before.”
“No, no!” He immediately covered my mouth. “Laura, it’s my fault… I’ve been a burden to you. If I weren’t like this, I could make you live a happy life, but…”
“I like you just the way you are.” I leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. That fragile heart, unlike Cameron’s powerful beats. This heart belonged entirely to me, and in this world, there probably wouldn’t be a second person like Carter.
“Carter, I will always be your wife. I’m very happy, really…”
I felt my heart gradually dying, following my once self-righteous love, buried in that inexplicable dream.
I made up my mind to be with Carter wholeheartedly.
After that day, I rarely saw Cameron. He was unusually busy, often working through the night even when he came home. I tried hard not to worry about him, but unconsciously, I found myself composing messages like “Don’t stay up late” on my phone. I repeatedly looked at them but couldn’t bring myself to press the send button, eventually deleting every word.
Whenever I entered the kitchen, I couldn’t help but prepare his favorite late-night snacks and leave them there. Then, I would hide in my room, holding my breath to listen for the sound of his door opening, his footsteps, and the sound of him chewing… In that moment, I felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
However, soon rationality overwhelmed me, and I questioned myself, “Laura, what are you doing? Weren’t you supposed to be with Carter?” Yes, Carter was my husband, and I needed to be with him…
So, I deliberately avoided Cameron even more. If we occasionally met at the dining table, I would keep my head down. I served Carter food, fed him soup, all intentionally. I was putting on a show for the whole family, telling everyone that Carter and I were a loving couple.
Later on, Cameron almost stopped coming home, and I had no idea what he was up to. Eventually, I heard from the servants that he was about to get engaged to Queenie.
I couldn’t find the words to describe the feeling at that moment. I sat there blankly, feeling as if my heart had cracked open a little, and then it was ruthlessly torn apart, blood and flesh splattering.
…
Cameron’s engagement ceremony took place in the most luxurious five-star hotel in Jerez State. The attendees were either wealthy or influential. I didn’t want to participate in such an event, but it was a matter concerning The Lynch Family, so I had to attend.
I wore a very ordinary white dress, with only a lily flower tied to my wrist, no additional accessories. I tried my best to make myself inconspicuous and planned to leave as soon as the banquet was over.
The banquet was halfway through when I went to the restroom. Just as I came out, someone grabbed my wrist and pressed me against the wall.
“Cameron…” I widened my eyes, almost letting out a scream.
He looked very handsome today, in a black suit, white shirt, and even wore a bow tie around his neck. His cold and handsome face added a touch of masculinity.
He came close, his cheeks slightly flushed, and a faint smell of alcohol emanating from his body. It seemed he had consumed quite a bit of alcohol with many friends from the business world attending today.
“Cameron, let go.” I turned my wrist. “What do you want to do?”
He remained silent, staring at me intently, a hint of a wicked smile playing on his lips.
“Cameron…”
“Come here!” He forcefully uttered two words, his grip on my wrist tightening. He dragged me to the entrance of a room, pulled me in, closed the door with his heel, and then abruptly pushed me onto the sofa. His large hand began to roam over my body.
“No, Cameron!…” I spoke up, only to be muffled by his hand. His other hand moved downward, gently, teasing, caressing… My mind went blank, and my body underwent indescribable changes.
“Spread your legs a bit more,” he whispered in my ear.