Chapter 87
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87
The man looming over her was not the ‘River Ross’ she knew. Her mind had accepted it, but her heart had been in denial. Now, the truth struck her with painful clarity.
The hand pinning her thigh slid down her calf, brushing away the shoe dangling from her toes. He pressed her down completely, his powerful frame crowding her. As her lips parted under his crushing weight, his tongue slid inside. He kissed her with a bruising force that made her ache, claiming her mouth so roughly that a jolt shot through every nerve.
“…Ah.”
A choked groan escaped her throat. Her previously split lip tore open again, and a thin bead of blood welled up, spreading the taste of iron across her tongue.
The Duke was anxious, impatient, relentless. When she closed her eyes, she could feel his desperation, but when she opened them, his face was merely beautiful, devoid of passion. Except for his slightly flushed eyes, his expression was impassive—even cold.
The stark contrast sent a shiver down her spine.
“Mmh…”
The wet sound of their bodies sliding against each other was shamelessly lewd. When she instinctively twisted her hips, the man chuckled against her lips. His body rubbed against hers, which had grown highly sensitive with pregnancy, making every sensation overwhelmingly intense.
She knew all too well the exquisite pleasure this man could provide, knew exactly how far he could push her…
“Ah, ha…”
Panting, she struggled against his hold on her wrists. At her weak resistance, the man seemed to finally come to his senses. He slowly released her, and she squirmed away, breathless. The thin thread of saliva connecting their lips snapped.
Vanessa looked up at him, her lips parted and glistening. She didn't even realize her pale skin was on full display through her disheveled, unbuttoned blouse. On her neck and her rapidly heaving chest, the mottled bite marks from their last encounter remained.
“…”
Theodore watched her with darkened eyes before slowly standing up. He stepped off the bed, his long legs carrying him to his feet. He swept the disheveled black hair from his forehead and smoothed his rumpled clothes with calm, measured movements.
“Rest for today, Vanessa. Don’t make a hasty decision. It’s been a tiring day for both of us.”
“…”
“Think about the new deal. Whatever you demand, you can have.”
“How… can I trust you…?”
“You said you loved me.”
His gaze was incredibly gentle as he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. If she didn’t know he was a pathological liar, she would have been utterly enchanted.
Winding a lock of her golden hair, splayed across the bed, around his fingers, he smiled. “Then can’t you just… give in to me?”
His whisper was a devil’s temptation—cruel, base, and soul-destroying. It was terrifying because it shook her to her core, making her want to simply surrender.
She felt the dam she had so desperately maintained begin to crumble. The strength drained from her spine, which she had held rigid to preserve her dignity and pride.
I’m so tired.
Her heart had been in tatters for a long time. Her uncle was a murderer, the path ahead was daunting, and the world was ready to swallow her whole the moment she showed any weakness.
So she had focused only on enduring. She had chosen to act rather than grieve, refusing to sit and weep over how painful it all was. That was how she had struggled, step by step, to get this far. But…
Why can’t I stop here? Why can’t I long for this man’s embrace? Can’t I just close my eyes and lose myself in the comfort he offers? I love him, even if he deceived me…
Are you crazy, Vanessa?
Her eyes snapped open, a cold sweat breaking out across her skin.
* * *
“Ten days. After that, we part ways cleanly.”
At her words, Theodore gave a fierce little smile, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
“You’ll stay here for the time being. For those ten days, at least.”
“…Here? In this hotel?”
“If you ever want to extend the contract, just let me know.”
His tone left no room for negotiation. And so, she found herself staying on the top floor of the massive hotel.
The car Wyatt had sent was immediately dismissed on the Duke’s orders. Two maids, hastily summoned from the Battenberg estate, took up residence on the floor below. They only came up at designated times to serve her meals and attend to her needs before quietly withdrawing.
Contrary to her expectations, the Duke was incredibly busy. He was constantly receiving reports, handling work that poured in through phone calls and documents, and occasionally leaving to meet visitors in the lobby.
Whenever he was gone, the vast space felt empty and hollow. She found herself missing the moments when he would catch her eye in the middle of an urgent call and offer her a soft smile…
—My dear?
Lost in thought, Vanessa was jolted back to reality by the voice on the receiver.
“Ah… I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
—I reviewed the documents you sent. They’ll just barely pass muster with the court.
The faint rustle of papers came through the line.
—I plan to go to the courthouse tomorrow to finalize the application for executor of the will. After that, the company will be transferred to your name. Ten days should be enough time.
“That’s faster than I expected. I’m worried about how they’ll respond… Please be careful.”
—You’re in more danger than I am. Are you in a safe place right now?
Vanessa answered in a calm voice to reassure the lawyer.
“Don’t worry. I’m safe.”
—I’m glad to hear that. Still, always be on your guard.
Mr. Dawson’s concern was understandable. They were going up against a gang. Since they couldn’t continue the legal battle while living under the same roof as Wyatt, the plan had been to slip away at the right time. Conveniently, the Duke had provided the perfect excuse to leave the castle without putting the servants at risk.
According to her plan, she was supposed to secure a safe place in Linden immediately after ending her relationship with him. She never imagined things would turn out like this. Plans rarely went as intended.
Still, this is a good outcome.
After all, the only place in Ingram safer than this hotel was probably the royal palace.
—I’ll let you know immediately if anything changes. Contact me anytime if you feel you’re in danger.
“I will.”
Vanessa ended the call and hung up the phone. The Duke still hadn’t returned. She hesitated for a moment, then sat down in the office chair, picking up a clean sheet of paper and a fountain pen.
Her serialized novel would be finished in two or three more chapters. If she gave part of the manuscript fee to Mary and combined the rest with her savings, she could afford a small rented room for the time being.
With the income from the investment company and her thirty-thousand-pound pension, she would have no trouble supporting herself. She would have to leave Gloucester, of course, since she could no longer stay with her uncle.
What if I settle down in a small country town?
If she was lucky, she might find a position as a governess. If she wrote novels diligently to supplement her income, she could afford a small house in a few years. And after that…
Vanessa touched her still-flat stomach. When the child was old enough for school, she might even be able to attend the university she had put off. Wrapping up her thoughts with a faint smile, she filled her fountain pen with ink.
First, I’ll start with what I can do now.
Her pale hand held the pen steady, pressing down diligently as she wrote, letter by letter, on the paper.
* * *
Vanessa woke with a groan to a hand on her shoulder. It felt as if she had only just closed her eyes, but the sunset was already casting a warm glow across the room. The white curtains billowed like soft waves in the breeze from the open window.
She blinked her heavy eyelids and looked up at him. He must have just washed; his black hair was still damp. A sheen of moisture clung to the muscles visible through his parted robe.
“When did you get back?”
“Just now.”
Answering casually, the Duke scooped her up, one arm supporting her back and the other beneath her knees. When she reflexively wrapped her arms around his neck, his sharp gaze softened ever so slightly.