Chapter 68
His pride prevented him from groveling to keep Jessica, not that it would have worked anyway.
As time passed, an uncomfortable dryness crept into his throat, followed by inexplicable heat spreading through his body. He reached for the glass of red wine before him, draining half in one swallow. Yet the heat within only burned hotter.
On the second floor, Jessica quietly stepped out of Jacob’s room. After reading nearly a dozen stories, her mouth felt parched. She headed downstairs for a bottle of water from the fridge, the cool liquid soothing her throat.
Considering the late hour, she decided to spend the night in one of the second–floor guest rooms.
However, as she pushed open the door, strong arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind.
“Jessi…” A hot breath grazed Jessica’s cheek as Brian buried his face against her shoulder.
Jessica stiffened, then thrashed in outrage. “Brian, let me go!”
Til never divorce you.” Brian murmured, his voice thick but lucid. The scent of wine clung to his exhales. His mind was clear, instinct had taken hold as he kissed her neck.
Stop. Don’t touch me!” Whether from anger or something else, Jessica’s cheeks flushed.
Frustrated by her protests, Brian turned her around, gripped her chin, and silenced her with a kiss.
but some primal
“Mmph–Jessica let out a muffled sound of protest.
Brian jerked back with a pained hiss. For a fleeting second, clarity returned to his darkened eyes.
“You’re my wife. I won’t sign the divorce,” he growled, the metallic tang of blood blooming across his tongue. In one swift motion, he hauled Jessica up and threw her onto the bed.
Instinctively, Jessica curled protectively around her abdomen. A delay that cost her as Brian pinned her beneath him. “Brian, have you lost your—”
Her wrists were shackled above her head as Brian kissed her almost violently. Tears slipped from her eyes.
Outside the villa, a car idled by the curb. Madeline slammed against the steering wheel, furious. It was already past one in the morning, and Jessica still hadn’t left the villa.
“Damn! That bitch!” Madeline shrieked. Her tear–streaked face contorted with rage. “And that ungrateful little brat. I’ll make you all pay.”
Early the next morning, just before dawn, Jessica awoke, her gaze lingering briefly on Brian’s sleeping face before she quietly got up and left. She thought bitterly. Forget it. Just pretend I got bitten by a dog.
Brian stirred to his alarm, momentarily convinced that what had happened last night was a dream. However, he soon found himself in the guest room on the second floor.
Memories flooded back. What he had done to Jessica…
As he sat up, the quilt slid away to reveal his sculpted torso, which was marred by several red scratches across his chest and back.
He sat still, recalling what had happened last night. After a long silence, he dressed in silence.
“Good morning, Mr. Atkinson.” Sylvie had already prepared breakfast. Jacob had eaten and left for school.
“She… Brian hesitated.
“Mrs. Atkinson left early in the morning.” Sylvie tactfully omitted that Jessica had left before sunrise.
Brian merely nodded, skipping breakfast as he headed for the company.
At Atkinson Group, there was a knock on the president’s office.
“Mr. Atkinson, the contracts need your signature.” Madeline entered with files in her hands, her complexion unusually sallow.
Brian studied her for a while before asking, “What did you put in my wine last night?”
