Chapter 5
As our eyes met, a flicker of panic flashed in Charles’s eyes, and he quickly let go of Anna’s hand.
“Catherine, it’s not what you think, I…”
Before I could speak, Matthew suddenly grabbed
grabbed my wrist and pulled
hard.
I fell into his arms, sitting on his lap.
Fury rose in Charles’s eyes, he stepped forward to come over, but was frozen by Matthew’s words:
“I’m Charles, Anna, haven’t seen you in a few days, don’t you recognize me?”
“Jesse, there’s no need to explain your relationship with Anna to my wife.”
Charles’s eyes widened with rage, and he clenched his knuckles until they
cracked.
Anna hooked his arm, suggesting in a teasing tone:
“What a coincidence running into you here! Why not grab dinner together?”
Though called dinner, only Matthew and I seemed able to eat.
He kept calling me “darling” while piling food onto my plate.
Charles wore a dark expression throughout.
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Chapter 5
Sometimes I think his tolerance is remarkable.
To help Anna humiliate me, he endured public humiliation by his wife’s infidelity without protest.
Anna suddenly asked:
“Mary Harris mentioned you’re trying for a baby?”
Time seemed to freeze.
“We’re considering it.”
“Yes, we’re preparing for pregnancy.”
Charles and Matthew spoke almost simultaneously, Matthew’s burning gaze fixed on Charles.
The latter’s gaze flickered, avoiding my probing eyes as he explained stiffly:
“Charles mentioned it a few times, but he hasn’t quit smoking yet. No
rush.”
Anna let out a drawn–out “Oh?”
She asked me:
“Catherine, your birthday’s next month. Any gift wishes? Charles prepared a huge surprise you’ll love.”
She winked at Matthew and Charles while speaking.
I feigned surprise:
“Really? I don’t need anything special. Anything from my darling would make me happy.”
charles
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Charles’s expression softened.
Matthew quietly squeezed my hand under the table.
The moment we got home, he pinned
me against the wall.
His kiss was fierce and demanding, leaving no room for refusal.
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Cradling my cheek with one hand, he slid the other beneath my collar:
“Look at me, Catherine. Tell me who I am.”
“Charles…”
“Call me husband.” Matthew growled like a beast on the verge of frenzy. “Sweetheart…”
His kisses trailed downward as he guided me further inside.
Suddenly, Matthew froze.
Only a dim lamp lit the living room, casting shadows where a tiny red dot glowed from the sofa.
Charles sat shrouded in darkness.
Matthew instinctively pulled me behind him.
Charles stubbed out his cigarette, rose and approached step by step.
His dark eyes were sharp, burning with restrained anger as they swept
over me.
“We’ll talk downstairs,” he said.
Matthew turned to soothe me gently before following Charles downstairs.
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I exhaled heavily and walked to the floor–to–ceiling window.
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Soon, Charles and Matthew emerged from the building entrance one after
the other.
The moment Matthew turned around, Charles swung a fist. Matthew stood taking two hits before throwing punches back.
They quickly tangled in a fight.
Too far to hear what they were saying.
It was clear both were furious.
Eventually someone called the police. Officers rushed over, separating and escorting them away.
Late that night, as I prepared for bed, knocking echoed at the door.
Charles stood there, returned.
Fresh bruises mottled his face. His gaze weighed heavily on me as he
entered.
He reached out to embrace me.
I stepped back, evading his touch. Charles frowned, displeasure flickering across his features.
“Smoke,” I stated flatly.
Relief washed over him. A rare smile touched his lips. “My fault. Got into a fight with Matthew. Lit a cigarette on the way back. Won’t happen again.”
“Mm,” I murmured, walking toward the bedroom.
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Charles’s footsteps trailed behind me. Glancing back, I saw him hanging his head like a dejected puppy.
Reaching the bedroom door, I blocked his path: “You should go back to your own room.”
Charles didn’t move.
He looked at me with wounded eyes:
“Aren’t you going to ask why I fought him? Or if I got hurt?”
“Nothing worth asking.”
My expression remained impassive. “You’re an adult. You understand the consequences of your actions.”
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