Ewan exhaled softly and steadily approached her with a hand in the pocket and asked softly, “What believable excuse can we give for having sneaked into the ancestral hall at this time of the night?”
“Basically nothing. I can’t think of any.”
If she had, she wouldn’t have used the stupid excuse of trying to catch birds at this hour.
Ewan gently lowered his head and said with his attractive, seductive, and raspy voice, “I told him that we eluded the family for going to the ancestral hall’s rear courtyard to seek some excitement.”
Rachel was immediately stunned and shocked as she looked at Ewan, “You… why did you say that?”
“What other more believable excuses can there be?” Ewan laughed and asked, “What else can a man and woman be doing at this time of the night other than sneaking into a secluded area for some thrills? Don’t tell me we were there for moon gazing? Or to look for birds?”
“You had misled Bishop about our purpose here. What if he tells the others…”
“That’s why I gave him some money.” Ewan said confidently, “If he dared to take the money, I’m sure he wouldn’t offend me for some silly offence by a pair of playful couple. He wouldn’t dare.”
Rachel wrung her hands nervously and said, “The main point is there is nothing between us. What will Bishop think of me when he sees me in the future? He must feel that I’m a slut and pervert for having a relationship with my own brother.”
Ewan looked at her troubled little face which started to blush and he said, “Not brother, I’m your husband.”
“…”
Rachel was speechless.
Ewan looked at her silent and yet alluring lips which appeared crimson under the streetlights.
Previously he gently stole a kiss and he was addicted to it ever since. He kept feeling restless and wanted to kiss her to satisfy his thirst.
Ewan swallowed his saliva like he was parched from suppressing his long deprived bodily desires. His voice became indescribably raspy, “Remember that this had become an unchangeable fact. The only thing you can change is your viewpoint.”
Rachel gazed seriously into the man’s alluring eyes and asked, “I can’t understand how it can be me? Your wife will be the wife of Country C’s General. I can’t meet even the most basic requirements of being a General’s wife. How am I worthy of you? How can I be worthy of the title of a General’s wife?”
Ewan reached out his hand towards the back of her neck as his fingers carefully threaded behind her hair, and gently pulled her head towards him. He leaned over very closely and his raspy voice turned low and deep, “I don’t mind. I only have one request. Never betray me.”
Rachel’s breathing heated up.
Ewan’s face was very close and she could feel his breath. His cold thin lips were sexy as if he was about to kiss her. His voice was totally mesmerizing.
Rachel’s heart was throbbing, beating faster than when she was terrified a moment ago. This time her heartbeat raced because she was expecting him to do something as her thoughts started to run wild.
She gazed at his eyes and she was eager to obtain him.
She wanted to be selfish for a moment and not be bothered about morals, consequences, and others’ opinions so that she could satisfy her desires.
But all these were far too unrealistic.
Rachel smirked and asked, “Does it mean that we’ll divorce if I betray you?”
Ewan’s face immediately froze and his stare was terrifyingly freezing like a perpetual ice cellar. He released her and calmly said, “The consequence of betrayal is a burial, not a divorce.”
After finishing, Ewan turned to leave. His warmth and tenderness turned into cold indifference just because of what she had said.
Burial?
This was the most cruel and heartless man she had ever come across. She only said ‘if’ and his mood took such a drastic change.
They searched for two hours yet didn’t uncover anything. The mysterious place that she had visited when she was a child had turned up empty. As she saw Ewan enter the house, Rachel felt a chill from her feet creeping up towards her body and right through her spine.
She was terrified and hurried into the villa.
The air was cold and the trees were rustling.
Suddenly, a dark image emerged from the shadows and stood at the foot of a large tree. It stood still and faced the south garden manor.
…
The next day
At daybreak, the fog had yet to dissipate and the land was still blanketed with a layer of grey mist.
Rachel was awakened by the ringing of her cell phone.
She was still very tired because it was very late when she went to bed. Thus the ruckus of the ringing annoyed her. She reached out for her phone and brought the phone to her ears as she answered it.
A weak and raspy voice croaked, “Hello.”
“Rachel, accompany me for my morning exercise.”
A familiar male voice came through the cell phone. It was obvious from the tender voice that he was her second brother, Manson.
Rachel was still groggy and half-asleep, “Manson, I’m really tired. I need to sleep some more. Can you go alone?”
“No, you have 10 minutes. Come to the living hall in 10 minutes or I will go to your room to pull you out.”
Manson hung up the call immediately after he said so.
Rachel ruffled her hair in frustration and struggled as she sat up on the bed. She exhaled deeply before falling asleep for a few more minutes in that position. Eventually, she kicked off her blanket and got out of bed.
15 minutes later.
Rachel washed up and wore her hair in a long ponytail. Dressed in sporty attire, she instantly turned into a young girl full of vitality.
Manson was already at the staircase waiting for her as she descended from upstairs. He was smiling warmly and his eyes were full of anticipation.
“Good morning Manson.” Rachel smiled as she greeted.
“Good morning.” Manson replied warmly, “Let’s go for a jog.”
“Okay.” Rachel nodded as she was used to it since she was a kid. Manson liked to jog in the morning and each time he would insist that she should run with him.
They ran shoulder to shoulder out of the south garden villa.
As they ran on a small road, they suddenly stopped and looked at a lady ahead of them.
Eliza was dressed in a pink sports outfit. She had a towel in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. She smiled as soon as she saw Manson and greeted, “Manson…”
Manson smiled charmingly and greeted politely, “Good morning Eliza, what are you doing here this early in the morning?”
Eliza disregarded Rachel’s presence and said coyly as she approached, “I’m waiting for you. Let’s exercise together.”
“Sure.” Manson looked towards Rachel and said softly, “Do you mind if Eliza joins us?”
Rachel mumbled, “Sure.”
Eliza’s expression changed and she rolled her eyes when she saw Manson asking Rachel. She asked coldly, “Why do you have to seek her opinion?”
Manson laughed without saying a word. Eliza went in between them and forcibly pushed Rachel aside and grabbed Manson’s arm.
Rachel stumbled two steps backward and almost fell from the push.
She steadied herself and glared at Eliza, only to see Eliza rolling her eyes at her. She stared at her gloomily and said coldly, “Don’t come with us. Grandpa has asked for you to go over.”
“Grandpa asked for me?” Rachel was irritated by her push. Nevertheless, what could she do to Eliza?