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Novel Catalog
Chapter_32
The man’s gaze hardened, his brows furrowing in frustration. “Do you even understand how much she’s been longing for a grandchild? And yet you’re so indifferent about this baby, Whitney!”
Whitney froze, unable to find the right words. The pregnancy had come as a complete surprise, and she had felt cornered by the situation. She hadn’t had time to process her feelings about it yet.
“Look at Whitney, her eyes are all red from you yelling at her,” Natalie’s voice cut through the tension, groggy as she opened her eyes.
Whitney rushed to her side, gently taking her hand, her heart heavy with guilt. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think things through. I’ve made you worry.”
“Ah, it’s just my blood pressure again. I faint easily, but it’s not as bad as that brat made it sound. Don’t listen to him!” Natalie reassured her, brushing Whitney’s hair back with a soft touch.
Whitney’s guilt deepened. She had always cherished her mother’s love, and it hurt to see her so fragile. Since her mother’s death, she hadn’t experienced such warmth from anyone else. She hadn’t realized just how delicate Natalie truly was, nor how her own actions had contributed to her mother’s distress.
The man, watching her, remained silent, his gaze still icy.
“Son, help me up,” Natalie said, her voice strained but still carrying authority. As she stood, she placed Whitney’s hand into the man’s arm, her movements slow but deliberate. “I’m fine. Just my blood pressure. Go on and take care of your wife. She’s carrying my golden grandchild, so no fighting!”
With a final dramatic gesture, Natalie shuffled off to the restroom with Taryn, and the door closed behind her.
The room fell into a heavy silence, the soft white hospital light casting long shadows. The man let go of Whitney’s hand and walked over to the window, his tall silhouette cold and distant. The chill in the air seemed to reflect his mood.
Whitney, now alone with him, understood why he was so angry. She had caused his mother distress, and that was something he couldn’t overlook. Comforting her? That seemed like an impossibility.
“I’m really sorry…” Whitney muttered, biting her lip, her voice barely above a whisper.
The man turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. “What are you sorry for?”
Whitney struggled to meet his gaze. “I got so caught up in my own issues, I didn’t think about how Mom would feel.”
“What else?” he pressed, his voice colder than before.
Whitney’s eyes filled with unshed tears, but after a moment of hesitation, she shook her head. She couldn’t think of anything else to say. When you’re wrong, you admit it; when you’re not, there’s nothing more to add.
His laughter was short and bitter.
The man’s tall figure moved closer, his presence intimidating as he cornered her against the wall. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Why didn’t you answer my calls or respond to my messages?”
Whitney’s face flushed, her shoulders stiffening. “My phone was broken,” she replied, not looking him in the eye.
He scoffed at her excuse, clearly unimpressed.
Before Whitney could react, he swiftly grabbed her waist, pulling her close as he snatched the phone from her pocket.
“L! Give that back!” she exclaimed, her heart racing.
He held the phone up, his eyes scanning the screen. The device was intact, and he could see Tiana’s Facebook page still open. His expression darkened. “So, you deliberately ignored my calls and messages? What’s that about?”
Whitney, standing on her toes to reach for the phone, found herself unable to do anything against his strength. His chest began to heave slightly, his presence overwhelming. “Are you seeking some kind of attention? A special punishment?” His voice was low and laced with something dangerous.
Whitney’s pulse quickened, and she quickly stepped back, flustered. “I haven’t done anything wrong. Why would I be punished? Please, don’t joke with me like that. We have a professional relationship, and crossing boundaries would only make things worse. I don’t care about the women you’ve been with, and I’m certainly not interested in being one of them!”
The man’s eyes glinted with amusement, and he leaned in, a half-smirk forming on his lips. “Jealous, are we? What’s this? Are you envious of them?”
Whitney’s cheeks turned red as she denied it quickly. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He raised an eyebrow, teasing her further. “How many women have sat on my lap? You’d know if you bothered to find out, wouldn’t you?” He held her wrists firmly, his anger beginning to ebb.
Whitney’s embarrassment grew, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson. “I’m not sitting on your lap! I told you, we need to keep things professional!”
“Alright,” he said, his tone playful but still commanding. “So, since I saved you today, you owe me something, Madam?”
Whitney felt an exasperated frustration surge within her. She knew she could never win in a battle of words with him.
Annoyed, she pushed against his chest, but he pulled her into his arms, inhaling her soft scent. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, “You’ve done something wrong, and yet you’re still talking back. Seems like you’re asking for it.”
He pinned her hands behind her back, forcing her to arch against him. His lips descended on hers, silencing her protests.
“Don’t!” she gasped, remembering their earlier agreement to maintain boundaries.
But he didn’t listen. His kiss deepened, his eyes darkened with desire as he held her firmly, watching her eyes flicker with both resistance and fear. Whitney’s cheeks flushed hotter with each passing second, her body growing weak against him.
She instinctively clutched at his shirt and belt, her mind a whirl of confusion and frustration.
He smirked, his voice low and sultry. “You like this, don’t you? Then hold on tight.”
Whitney’s face turned even redder, her heart pounding. She didn’t like it! But somehow, she couldn’t break free from the situation.
Frustrated, she bit him, desperate to regain control.
He pulled back slightly, touching his lips with a frown. “Is that all you’ve got? Turning into a wildcat?”
“Who told you to bully me?” she demanded, her fists pressing against his solid chest.
“Do you even know what bullying is?” he asked, his voice growing darker.
Whitney, her fear mounting, squeezed her fists tighter against his chest. She couldn’t explain why, but there was something about his presence that made her heart race, even though she hated feeling like this.
He took a deep breath, his arms still around her. His voice dropped to a warning tone. “Remember, even though our arrangement is for a year, you’re now the lady of the house. If today’s incident repeats, I won’t let you off easily.”
Whitney nodded, feeling the weight of his words. “I’ll fulfill my role for this year.”
“Can you let go of me now?” she asked, her voice tinged with irritation. “You’re acting like a thug, pressuring an innocent girl.”
“Innocent?” He scoffed, his hand in his pocket, about to let her go when the door suddenly swung open.
“Bro, what the hell are you dilly-dallying for?” Nolan’s voice echoed in the doorway.
Bang!
Nolan froze, immediately covering his eyes with his hands. “Yo… you getting ready for a wall slam? Ms. Natalie, your son’s got game. I didn’t see a thing!”
“Let me have a look,” Natalie called out, chuckling as she shuffled over.
“Out,” the man barked, swiftly shielding Whitney with his body. He threw a cold glance at Nolan.
“Alright, alright, I’m out.”
The door slammed shut, and Whitney’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. The man, cool as ever, finally released her, casting a mischievous glance at the bathroom.
“Shall you take the first shower, or shall I?” he asked, his voice teasing.
Whitney eyed him warily, her large eyes narrowing.
He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you need to freshen up after coming back from another hotel?”
Her cheeks turned pink, and she bit her lip, deciding it was best not to engage with him. Instead, she remained silent, grateful for the slight reprieve.
