Chapter 189

I glared at him. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Sleeping,” he replied calmly, eyes closed.

He reached out and covered my eyes with his hand. “Weren’t you the one who said you were tired? Then sleep.”

“I meant by myself. I don’t need you sleeping next to me.”

I frowned and tried to push him away, but Jonathan suddenly opened his eyes and gave me a cold look.

“Are you sure you still want to sleep?”

The cot was already too small for just me. With Jonathan cramped beside me, the space felt suffocating. Every slight movement made the bed creak in protest.

I took a deep breath. “Don’t move, Jonathan. The bed is noisy.”

“Is that so? Still not louder than you earlier.” His voice was low, right by my ear, almost wrapping around me.

I stared at him in disbelief. “What are you even talking about?”

“I thought you were trying to hint at something earlier,” he said casually, though his hands betrayed his calm tone.

I quickly grabbed the one roaming across my waist and drew in a sharp breath. “Is this how you handle everything?”

My thoughts were a mess, but I forced myself to stay composed.

“This is exactly why I moved out, Jonathan. I didn’t want to live with you anymore, especially not like this. We barely have any feelings left between us. Why do you insist on forcing this?”

I truly did not understand. If our relationship was so broken, why did our physical closeness still feel like we were a real couple? It made no sense.

He suddenly turned me around, pulling me fully into his arms.

The bed left no space between us. His eyes locked on mine, cool and unreadable, like they had absorbed the darkness of the night.

“You’ve been holding back for so long. When will you give me a little warmth?”

I had never heard Jonathan speak to me in that tone before. He was always cold, indifferent, and composed. This time, he sounded like a man begging for affection.

For a moment, I froze. Once I regained my senses, I shoved at his chest.

“Jonathan, we’re in the middle of a divorce. We’re basically already separated. So, I am under no obligation to fulfill any so-called duties as your wife.”

He let out a mocking breath and gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“Then, who do you plan to fulfill those duties with? Frederick? Don’t forget, I’m your husband. You’d better not even think about cheating.”

“Why do you always make everything sound so ugly? You get to light the fire, but I’m not even allowed to strike a match?” I snapped.

He sighed again, this time sounding genuinely tired. “Elise, I really don’t know what to do with you. What will it take for you to believe me?”

“You made your choices. None of them inspires trust.”

I pushed against him again, growing more agitated. “Let me go."

He didn’t answer, but the way he held me tighter said enough.

“If you really don’t want to be here, then shut your mouth and try to rest.”

There was an edge to his tone, a quiet threat buried beneath the words. His hand had already slipped beneath my clothes.

I froze, body stiff with tension. There was no way to stop him, so I forced myself to close my eyes.

The night dragged on in agonizing silence. Sleep came in fits and starts. But somehow, I must have drifted off.

When I woke the next morning, Jonathan was gone.

I shifted slightly and was immediately met with a deep, aching soreness. My whole body ached with fatigue and strain.

Grumbling silently, I cursed him under my breath. The very next moment, I heard his low voice behind me.

“Cursing me this early in the morning?”

I looked up, startled to find him standing by the bed again.

“I thought you had already left.”