Chapter 118 A Line Crossed
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Tonight, it was he who had force her beneath him against her will. He who had kissed her without permission. He who had torn apart her clothes. He whose hands had wandered… nearly crossing the line.
She had tried–desperately–to push him away. She’d called his name, tried to wake him.
But he had been too far gone, his strength too overwhelming. Her struggle had been completely powerless.
If tonight wasn’t her fault, then no matter how much he hated himself, he had no right to blame her.
James shut his eyes in agony. It was
lop
time before he rasped out,
“Lily, I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
Lily froze.
The coldness that radiated from him was so terrifying, she had thought he despised her–would throw her out of the Luke family, expose what happened to Grace and the others, and make sure no one would ever associate with her again.
She was used to being blamed, to being scolded at the first sign of trouble. Never did she expect him to apologize.
Still stunned, she heard his voice again–low and hoarse, thick with pain and disgust.
“Tonight, I went against your will and did something inexcusable to you. If you want to call the police, or need compensation, I’ll accept whatever you decide.”
Lily’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She never imagined James would suggest calling the police on himself.
The Luke family had treated her so well. And he hadn’t done it on purpose. There was no way she could report him.
Clutching the small blanket tighter around herself, she said quickly,
“I won’t call the police, and I don’t need any compensation. Let’s just forget it ever happened. Pretend nothing happened. James… I actually feel like I owe you an apology. You have someone you love, but my presence here must’ve hurt your relationship. Don’t worry, I won’t use this as leverage to cling to you. I’ll go through with the divorce. In six months, we’ll end things.”
Six months…
James felt more than ever that six months was far too long.
He usually had excellent self–control.
Even before falling into a coma, someone had once tried to drug him. But even then, he hadn’t hesitated
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10.03 Mon, 21 JUI
Chapter 118 A Line Crossed
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to shove the woman away.
Yet tonight–with Lily–he had completely lost control.
He wasn’t the type of man who toyed with feelings, and he didn’t understand what was wrong with him. Every time he got close to Lily, he would somehow start thinking of Leila–his body acting or its own.
Living under the same roof with Lily, he was afraid of crossing the line again. Afraid of betraying Leila.
He couldn’t wait.
He had to divorce her now.
Tonight, the only unusual thing he’d consumed was the glass of milk his grandmother had sent up after dinner.
He’d been in the Blanc study for hours, clear–headed the whole time. The dinner couldn’t have been the problem.
Which left only one possibility—that milk.
The servants at the estate wouldn’t dare tamper with his food.
There was only one explanation: Grandma had put something in the milk–hoping to push him and Lily into becoming a “real” couple.
He had to put an end to this. If he wanted to stop being tangled with Lily, if he didn’t want Grandma interfering again, he needed her consent to divorce. Now.
James quickly straightened his clothes and, filled with icy resolve, stormed downstairs.
“James!”
His tall figure remained upright, but his silhouette looked so cold, so lonely—like a man drowning in despair.
And the blood was still running freely down his left arm.
He had slashed himself just to avoid touching her.
It showed how deeply what had happened had affected him.
Lily knew how brilliant he was–an unmatched talent in the business world, a true chosen one.
He was strong. But even the strongest men had fragile moments. James had a rigid moral compass, and she knew he couldn’t accept having a woman he didn’t love forced into his arms.
She was afraid he might spiral–might hurt himself again.
He’d already suffered enough: waking up from a coma, left with embarrassing aftereffects, and now this. If he kept hurting himself, what would be left of him?
Terrified he’d do something irreversible, Lily threw on a high–necked outfit and rushed after him.
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Chapter 118 A Line Crossed
Grace hadn’t gone to bed yet.
She was lounging on a leather couch in the living room, eyes closed, listening to a traditional opera
She hummed along, her mood soaring. After all, tonight must have gone beautifully–her eldest grandson. and Lily, newly bonded as husband and wife. From now on, it would be nothing but sweet, loving days ahead.
She was positively glowing with satisfaction–until her grandson’s voice boomed through the room, burning with fury.
“Grandma, did you put something in the milk tonight?”
“I don’t like Lily. I don’t want to be with her. How could you use something like this to make me touch her?”
