Chapter 82
Alexander’s phone rang. It was Esme’s call. He was about to answer but instinctively hit the hang-up button instead. Annoyed, he didn’t feel like dealing with Esme, so he put his phone on silent and tossed it aside.
That night, Elizabeth slept fitfully, waking up in a dimly lit room. When she finally opened her eyes, it was only six in the morning. The sky was cloudy, and the room was…
She rubbed her head, feeling sore all over. As she turned over to get out of bed, she suddenly noticed a man sleeping next to her.
Elizabeth was stunned when she saw Alexander. Startled, she moved back, hitting the edge of the bed and almost falling off. But Alexander grabbed her arm and pulled her back into his arms.
He didn’t open his eyes; he was wearing black silk pajamas. His hold on her felt so natural, like it wasn’t the first time.
Elizabeth felt like she was dreaming. This was too absurd. They had been married for three years, and he had never slept in this bed, never held her like this. Was she dreaming, or had Alexander lost his mind?
She pinched his waist hard, thinking this must be a dream. Alexander gasped and opened his eyes. Elizabeth’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m not dreaming?”
His expression turned sour. He gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse from sleep. “If you want to know if you’re dreaming, pinch yourself. Why pinch me!”
“I’m afraid of pain,” she replied.
Alexander was silent. She knew pinching herself would hurt, but she wasn’t afraid of hurting him? He looked at her, not knowing what to say. After a long while, he said, “Next time, be gentler.”
The atmosphere grew tense, the air thick with unspoken words. Would there be a next time?
Elizabeth felt uneasy. She sat up, realizing Alexander had brought her back to his villa. She got out of bed and headed to the bathroom naturally. “I’ll freshen up and leave soon,” she said tightly.
This villa no longer belonged to her and Alexander but to Esme and Alexander. Running into Esme this early wouldn’t be good.
Alexander leaned against the headboard, watching her. He lowered his head, feeling that Elizabeth no longer belonged to this home, nor to him.
When she came out of the bathroom, she had freshened up. Her hair was tied up, and she was still wearing yesterday’s dress. She wasn’t wearing makeup, yet she looked not dull but even more…pure.
Elizabeth grabbed her phone and put it in her bag. Alexander’s eyes never left her. As she was about to leave, he grabbed her wrist. “Elizabeth.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked calmly.
Alexander didn’t know what was wrong. He just didn’t want her to leave, wanted to spend more time with her. Maybe it was because she had said that it was enough for her to feel like his wife before the divorce.
“Have breakfast before you go.”