Chapter <b>434 </b><b>A </b>Fevered Confession
Chapter 434 A Fevered Confession
Lily’s mind exploded:
She had always believed he could only ept men.
It had never urred to her that the only reason he’d once said that was because he had been certain <b>she </b>
was one.
She had never dared imagine that he hadn’t truly disliked her at all–that whether she was Le or <b>Lily</b><b>, </b><b>he </b>had cared for her both ways.
Warmth and sweetness spread through her chest. She pressed her face against his heart, listening to the strong, steady beat beneath her ear
“James, if I’d known you didn’t hate me that much, I would’ve been braver. I would’ve gone to you.”
Her time with John had left wounds too deep. She’d be cautious, afraid to open her heart, afraid to throw herselfpletely into an uncertain possibility–and she had nearly missed him entirely.
Feeling the heat radiating from his chest, she coaxed softly, “Will you take the medicine first?”
But he was lost in what he thought was only a dream, her words sliding right past him.
“Lily, I know you really like Jackson,” he murmured, his voice hoarse and aching. “I know he <i>treats </i>you well, that you’re happy with him. But I could treat you even better…. better than Jackson <b>ever </b>could… Lily, I don’t want to divorce you… I don’t want to…”
Her eyes reddened.
The truth was, she hadn’t wanted the divorce either.
She had loved the Luke family deeply; as long as he hadn’t pushed her away <b>so </bpletely, she would have stayed in that warmth forever.
That day, when he’d rushed to sign the divorce papers, she had believed he was disgusted to the point of not wanting to see her again. She had never guessed he hadn’t wanted the divorce at all.
“James, Jackson and I…”
It had begun as nothing more than an employment arrangement.
Later, when she realized he was truly the boy she had once treated as a younger brother, she’d regarded him as family.
She had never, ever felt anything romantic for him.
But before she could finish exining, she felt a dampness on her neck-
And then that dampness slid down past her cor, to her heart.
Only then did she realize: they were his tears.
Chapter <b>434 </b><b>A </b>Fevered Confession
<b>She </b>could hardly believe it. For someone as strong and unyielding as him <b>to </b>cry –
Still reeling from the shock, she heard him whisper in agony, “Lily, why did <b>you </b>get rid <b>of </b><b>our </b><b>child</b>? Whey didn’t you want him…”
She cradled his face in both hands. His once–dark, steady eyes were nowced with <b>red</b><b>, </b>bloodshot <b>from </b>pain so deep it seemed to hollow him out.
A tide of red welled up, sweeping him into a hell of despair.
All the strength, all the armor he’d worn shattered, exposing the most fragile, helpless part of <b>him </b>
He looked almost like a stranger—yet it only made hier ache for him more.
She gently brushed away his tears, her own voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t… James, you can’t <b>skip </b><b>the </b>medicine.”
Thinking quickly, she offered a half–threat, half–bargain. “If you drink it, I’ll stay with you.”
This time, he seemed to understand.
He held her tightly, as if terrified she’d disappear again, just like all the other times in his dreams.
Lily seized the chance, picked up the small bottle, and held it to his lips. “Please, drink it.”
He didn’t speak, but neither did he push her away or knock the bottle over like before.
Soon, the bottle was empty.
Relief washed through her. “James, just sleep. Sweat it out, and maybe when you wake up, the fever will be gone.”
She started to loosen her hold so he could rest–but in the next second, his lips, burning like they’d been touched by fire, pressed to hers.
“Lily…”
Between the fever and the alcohol, James had no sense of time or ce.
He thought this was still his dream.
Because only in dreams could he hold her close like this–instead of watching her get rid of their child and live happily with Jackson.
In his dream, he didn’t need to restrain the love and hunger he felt for her. He could… be unrestrained.
“James…”
She hadn’t expected him to kiss/her even in this state.
She wanted him to rest, and instinct–made her start to push him
away-
But when she looked into his pain–filled, despair–darkened eyes, her heart melted. She couldn’t find the strength to resist, couldn’t bring herself to pull away.
<b>2/3 </b>
<b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>11 </b>Aug
Chapter 434 A Fevered Confession
<b>She </b>wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his, bold and <b>unafraid</b>.
“James, let’s be together.”