Trouble in Paradise

No one was home. I went back to the bedroom to get changed before heading out to meet Nicholas.

Once I opened the wardrobe, I realized my clothes were crumpled and shoved into a corner at the bottom, while Claudia's clothes were hung neatly. Nicholas's clothes were right next to hers.

Only then did I realize that one could be hurt without being beaten or insulted. Replacing one's clothes with a few pretty garments could easily do the work.

Bundling up my disappointment along with the wrinkled clothes, I tossed them into the laundry basket. I wouldn't allow myself to ponder about such things after Mom's passing. I only had to remember my goal, and I could sacrifice everything else.

I had no choice but to go to the dressing room downstairs. I purposely chose a dress, but it looked rather conservative.

As I studied my reflection in the mirror, I thought this was enough for Nicholas. I might scare him off if I went any bolder.

Wendy seemed to have planted a tracking device on me. Just as I was about to head, the scent of herbal tonic wafted through the air.

I frowned, wondering how I ever managed to down such disgusting stuff. Even after years of taking it, I still failed to conceive a child for him. And now, this possibility was completely off the table.

Pinching my nose with one hand, I swatted the air around me with the other to dispel the smell.

"Wendy, you don't have to prepare the herbal tonic anymore. If Mr. Hawk insists on it, just pour it away in secret. I don't want to drink it."

Wendy shook her head disapprovingly. "No way! This is Mr. Hawk's way of showing his love for you."

She beamed at me, but I couldn't share her joy. "No matter how sweet he is, this is still like chocolate-flavored shit, or shit-flavored chocolate to me!"

I ran past Wendy, leaving her slapping her thigh in exasperation while murmuring," Gosh, this child..."Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

A sense of gloom settled over me. Only Wendy treated me like a child. I looked at the

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time and decided to be an hour late for my meeting with Nicolas. I didn't want to seem too eager.

But Ms. Gardner looked surprised when I turned up. "Mrs. Hawk, what brings you

here? Mr. Hawk didn't come to the office today."

I knew Claudia must've kept him busy. Drawing in a deep breath, I clenched my bag and plastered a graceful smile.

"It's fine. We've agreed to meet today. I'll wait for him."

Little did I expect that I'd have to wait from dawn till dusk.

When Nicholas finally showed up at midnight, I was already sound asleep on the couch. As the citrus scent of the coat he draped over me filled my senses, I sneezed and woke up. He was staring at me intently.

"Honey!" Thrilled, I shot up from the couch. My gaze drifted from his face to the table in front of me, which was laden with three different meals from the day.

Nicholas hadn't eaten in the morning, so I bought him breakfast near his company. By noon, I ordered takeout for him again, knowing that he didn't eat leftovers. Then, I ordered takeout for dinner to

The joy in my expression faded into disappointment as I touched the barely warm containers. I lowered my gaze, regret palpable in my voice as I murmured, "This one's cold too."

He grabbed my hand and fixed his searing gaze on me. "I've already eaten."

"Alright." I wrenched my hand out of his grip and threw the containers into the trash can. "Are you heading home? Or are you planning to work some more?"

"Enough." Nicholas stopped me and cupped my chin. The next thing I knew, something cold was pressed against my lips.

"I've eaten, but I still can eat." He devoured my lips, his voice muffled against them as he continued, "I still have room for you!"

Our

Intertwining fingers, I responded docilely. I squeezed his fingers gently, trying to show him my submission to him.

Nicholas felt it. He settled me on his lap and stood up, kissing me as he walked toward the door. Then, he locked it. The rise and fall of his chest stole my breath as he rumbled, "I'm not used to you

being this obedient, Mrs. Hawk."

I was equally aroused by the fervent kiss earlier. Panting, I wheezed, "That's not true. I've always been this way."

A deep chuckle escaped his lips. "Have I been dreaming for the past few months?"

I bit his lip. "Yeah, and now you're awake. Aren't you happy with me? I don't argue or fight with you anymore. I just want you inside me."

I was calm deep down, so those words didn't affect me at all.

Unable to endure my provocation, Nicholas pressed his lips against mine. As his tongue dove deep into my mouth, he murmured, "You're amazing, but why do I feel like I'm missing something?"

But when he was so consumed by the moment that the desk shook with his exertion, he no longer had the time to ponder what he was missing out on.

As he thrust deep into me, he arched his neck and growled, "You're amazing-so perfect. Just like a robot."

An obedient robot might have had a perfect body and be perfectly aligned with its owner, but it would always lack a heart.