Chapter 202 Shattered Pieces
Chapter 202 Shattered Pieces
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The Luke family was extraordinarily wealthy. Any jewelry passed down through the generations would be priceless.
Lily already felt undeserving when Grace and Nancy gave her that bracelet. What happened tonight was clearly her fault–if anything, James was the one who deserved an apology. There was no way she’d eptpensation from him.
Afraid he might actually go so far as to have some jewelry delivered to her, she rushed to speak up. “Tonight, I was the one who couldn’t tell dream from reality and crossed the line. You really don’t need to give me anything. Technically, I should be the onepensating you. But since you don’t seem short on money, I’ll skip that part.”
“Mm.”
James knew she wasn’t the kind of girl who liked taking advantage of others. Even if he insisted, she wouldn’t ept the jewelry.
He’d decide for himself which set to give her.
Emeralds were a bit too mature–she was young, and that shade might not suit her. Her fair skin would go beautifully with the red diamond set he’d kept in storage. Or perhaps the pink diamonds–those were lighter, more youthful. The earrings, ne, and bracelet were all set with stones of impable cut and size.
He’d give her both sets. A double blessing–perfect for celebrating her marriage to her ssmate. A wish for a happy union and a healthy child.
“Get some rest.”
Once he’d made up his mind, James turned and headed for the foldout bed.
“James…”
Lily could tell he didn’t want to deal with her.
But the doctor would be making rounds in the morning, and she had no change of clothes–just the one ruined hospital gown.
If a nurse or doctor came in and saw the state she was in, how would she exin it? Say she ripped it up fun?
She’d die of embarrassment.
So, even though she knew he was sick of her, she had to bite the bullet and ask.
“James…” she started again.
James really didn’t want to talk to her.
for
Just hearing her voice brought the heat and chaos from earlier flooding back–making it hard to breathe.
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Chapter 202 Shattered Pes
But he couldn’t just ignore her either.
He stopped and turned, his tone icy. “What is it?”
“My… hospital gown is torn.”
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Worried he’d take it the wrong way, she quickly added, “I’m not ming you. I know you didn’t mean to tear it. You hate me, and you hate being anywhere near me–of course you wouldn’t rip my gown on purpose. I’m sure it happened when I grabbed you and you tried to get away. But now I don’t have anything else to wear, and I can’t exactly go ask for <i>a </i>new one like this. Could you help me get another gown?”
As she spoke, James‘ mind went utterly nk.
His eyes darkened, as if something heavy and suffocating had dropped over him.
She was wrong.
The gown hadn’t torn because she clung to him and he struggled to get free.
It was because he’d beenpletely under her spell–possessed. He had kissed her. Lost control. Ripped her clothes with his own hands.
And his hands had-
Before he could drown in the shame all over again, she added softly, “Before you go, could you pick up pieces on the floor? I’m worried a nurse might walk in and get the wrong idea. It might ruin your reputation.”
James instinctively looked down at the scattered fabric.
A breeze drifted through the window, sending one scrap fluttering through the air until itnded on his
arm.
As soon as he touched it, the memory struck–his fingers gripping her, refusing to let go.
For a split second, it felt like he was holding her again.
The scrap of cloth burned his palm like fire. He flinched and tossed it away as if it had scalded him, stumbling backward several steps.
His face turned crimson. His heartbeat thundered in his chest.
Watching him fling the fabric away like it was contaminated, Lily shrank further under the nket.
He really did loathe her.
Even a scrap of her clothing brushing against him made his skin crawl.
And to think she’d had the audacity to touch him, to kiss him…
He probably had <i>to </i>summon every ounce of strength just to keep himself from vomiting.
She winced, realizing how inconsiderate she’d been to ask him to clean up her clothes.
the
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Chapter 202 Shattered Pieces
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“You don’t need to clean it up,” she said quickly. “Once you bring me another gown, I’ll change and handle it myself.”
James didn’t want to touch any of it.
Just the sight of those scraps made that ck–and–white image return–the one that haunted his mind like a spell.
But he wasn’t someone who dodged responsibility.
The mess on the floor… it was his doing. Born of his own chaos and weakness.
He would clean it up. That much, he owed her.
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