Chapter 423 Parting for Good
Chapter 423 Parting for Good
James’s voice was hoarse with guilt. He grabbed the phone from the nightstand and quickly warted dialing the police.
Lily, still reeling from the sight of the scratch marks she’d left on his skin, froze when she heard what he was doing. Last night hadn’t been entirely his fault. It had been her own weakness, her inability to resia his touch, her choice to take advantage of his drunkenness. She couldn’t let him call and turn himself in.
She shifted her aching body, snatched the phone from his hand, and hung up. “It wasn’t your fault. You were drunk, and I should’ve stayed away from you. I’m the one who was wrong”
Her voice faltered. “What happenedst night… let’s just… pretend it never happened”
Hearing that, James didn’t push the call through again. He knew full well that in matters between a man and a woman, if she refused to use him, even if he turned himself in, there would be no punishment. And he knew she wasn’t letting him off out of forgiveness–just as before<i>, </i>it was because she cared too much about the elders, didn’t want to shame them or make them sad.
He loved her deeply. Loved seeing her every day. But afterst night, he understood–his nearness, his selfishness, only hurt her more.
Twice now, he had forced himself on her. In what way was he any different from men like Ben or Jerry- vile, predatory animals he despised? If he truly wanted her free of pain, the only choice was to stay away.
After a long silence, he forced down the bitter taste in his throat and said quietly, “I’ll transfer this vi to your name.”
But he knew–both times he had vited her had been in this vi. It carried too many bad memories.. She would never want to step insidé it again. He hesitated, then changed his mind. “No… I’ll keep this ce. Instead, I’ll transfer a few vis from the Luke Group’s resort development into your name as soon as possible.”
“If you ever need anything, contact Ashton. He’ll help you.”
His voice tightened. “We… we shouldn’t see each other again.”
<i>We </i><i>shouldn’t </i><i>see </i><i>each </i><i>other </i><i>again</i><i>… </i>
Lily’s eyes widened, the pain in them almost breaking herposure. She didn’t want to sever ties sopletely. But he clearly didn’t want to see her, and she feared that if her pregnancy became visible, he would notice. So she held back the tears burning at the corners of her eyes, kept her voice steady, and said only, “All right.”
She didn’t trust herself to keep herposure if she stayed. Not caring that she was still naked, she turned to leave.
But as she swung her legs off the bed and turned away, the tears slipped free, rolling own her cheeks.
When James looked up, he saw her slender back–delicate bones under smooth, pale skin, every line of her both elegant and intoxicating.
Desire red, sharp and dangerous, tightening his breath. He wanted to pull her into his arms again, to kiss
21.29 <b>M?n</b>, 11 <b>Aug </b>0
Chapter <b>423 </b>Parting for Good
her until she forgot everything <b>else</b>.
But he also saw the droplets that had fallen to the floor, her silent tears. Her im that <b>she </b>didn’t me him was only to give him ast shred of dignity. In truth, he had hurt her deeply.
He forced his gaze away, but the image of her tears burned into him like fire.
After a moment, he managed, “There are women’s clothes in my closet. Choose something that fits<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“All right.”
She had been nning to slip back to the guest room, wrap herself in a bedsheet, and order clothes for delivery. But this was easier. Even with no one else in the vi, walking through it unclothed made <b>her </b>skin crawl.
She didn’t bother with formality, going straight to the closet to find a set of clothes to put on.
“James, don’t worry, I won’t be here long. I’m not feeling well, so I’ll take a shower in the guest room and then I’ll leave. And don’t worry… I won’t bother you again. We… we’ll each live our own <b>lives</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
<i>We’ll </i><i>each </i>live <i>our </i>own <i>lives</i>.
It was a long moment before James answered evenly, “Mm.”
Dressed now, she didn’t linger. Her legs were still unsteady, but with the wall for support she could walk on her own. Slowly, she made her way to the door.
James told himself not to watch her, not to think about her.
But he couldn’t stop his eyes from following her retreating form until she disappeared from <b>view</b>, and his vision blurred with heat.
All his life, he had despised men who forced themselves on women.
How bitterly ironic that he had be one of them.
A beast. A devil. Unworthy of her–and deserving of the child she would choose to destroy, and of the final, merciless break between them.