“Then don’t touch me, as if I care.” Winifred could only think this to herself. If she said it out loud, who knows what Leland might do.
She was wrapped in Leland’s arms, sitting on his lap, wearing only a thin dress. She could clearly feel his body heat and even his slight physical reaction.
Winifred glared at him, but as soon as she opened her eyes, Leland covered them again. It was clear he hadn’t been watching the video the whole time.
Leland had shown Winifred an adult video to tease her and make her feel ashamed, hoping she’d remember the lesson. But seeing the man’s body in the video made him uncomfortable; he didn’t want Winifred to see it, not even a glance.
Sensing something, Winifred asked, “Leland, are you jealous?”
“Don’t watch it, it’s not worth seeing…” Leland avoided answering directly, trying to change the subject. Little did he know that his evasive answer was the best response.
Winifred pushed his hand away. Once her vision cleared, Leland exited the video.
She laughed angrily, “You’re ridiculous. You forced me to watch when I didn’t want to, and now that I want to watch, you won’t let me. Do you just enjoy being contrary?”
Leland felt a pang of guilt and looked away awkwardly. “There’s nothing good to see; that guy is ugly. You’d be better off looking at me.”
“And the woman?” Winifred asked.
“I didn’t notice her. Anyway, she’s not as pretty as you…”
Winifred fell silent, puzzled. Just moments ago, Leland had insulted her by saying she was like a dead fish. Now he was complimenting her? How many faces did he have?
As she pondered deeply, Leland continued what he hadn’t finished saying earlier. “But she knows how to please men better than you do and has more positions.”
It was like a bucket of cold water waking her up instantly. “If you want those sounds and positions from me, then find someone else. If you’re with me, sorry, I’ll just be like a dead fish.”
“Dead fish or not, my skills aren’t great either. You’re no better.”
Leland wouldn’t let go of this issue until he heard what he wanted.
“Your lack of skill is a physical problem; my being like a dead fish is because I don’t love you-an emotional issue. Leland, we’re fundamentally different. If you want me to cooperate with you, I find it disgusting. It’s already good enough that I don’t stab you.”
Winifred was always like this-when you thought she was weak like a reed, she’d turn sharp like a cactus in the desert. When she expressed her hatred for Leland without any filter, her thorns became evident, wounding anyone around without regard for their feelings.
Leland was used to Winifred’s nature. Even if he got angry, what could he do? Force himself on her again? He knew her physical limits; doing so would break her.
He wanted a healthy and alive Winifred-a person who could move and talk. At least for now, he didn’t want to turn her into a lifeless robot.
“Can your arms even lift a knife? Eat more rice first.” He released Winifred and set her down from his lap. Seeing she didn’t move, he patted her buttocks lightly, earning another angry glare from her.
If she already wanted to stab him now, how much more would she want to kill him if she knew the truth about her father’s death?
Even with the best self-control facing Leland, Winifred couldn’t help but curse inwardly. She was about to speak when she noticed several servants in the living room staring at her with strange looks.
She froze for two seconds before an overwhelming sense of shame washed over her.
Realizing these people knew about her relationship with Leland and what had happened between them made her feel as if a rope tightened around her neck.
She turned away and fled upstairs as fast as she could despite sore muscles making her run look awkward from behind.
Leland didn’t stop her; teasing was enough for now.
…
Leland hadn’t lied about taking Winifred out once she recovered.
Her injuries weren’t severe; after three days of rest at home, she had physically recovered though the marks were still visible. Every time she washed her face and looked in the mirror, she’d get startled by them.
In the mornings, Leland would take some time for work while his assistant arranged his schedule-sometimes dealing with documents at the office or having meals with business partners.
If he couldn’t come home for lunch, he’d call ahead so the servants could inform Winifred.
He knew Winifred disliked answering his calls but still had the servants bring the phone to her so she’d listen.
After hanging up one day during lunch with business partners, one of them looked at him meaningfully and asked, “Family?”
“Yes,” Leland replied curtly but that single word surprised some present since Leland usually wore a cold expression like a working machine focused solely on profit during negotiations without caring about anyone else.
Recently though they noticed changes-his attitude softened; even those fake smiles seemed genuine now.
Internally though Leland wasn’t as calm as he appeared-especially hearing “family.”
He had family now; previously no matter how long he’d be away on business trips he’d never make calls-it was always others calling him more often than not.
Autumn Joy Estate might have been designed by him but felt empty despite all staff working there-it lacked warmth until bringing Winifred back dispersed that loneliness like finding an elusive wind finally settling down somewhere familiar.
Now he eagerly wanted to return home-to touch Winifred’s face hold hands eat together sleep together doing ordinary things most people took for granted
“This weekend free? Bring your family along for dinner I’ll invite some friends same place as usual”
“Sure I’ll make time.” He planned on taking Winifred out for some fresh air that day
His agreement surprised many since he’d often coldly refuse such invitations before Was it because of his family?
Leland kept Winifred well-protected mysteriously bringing her back home locking up at Autumn Joy Estate till now no one knew about her existence