Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

-----------------------------------Separator-----------------------------------

Something’s wrong?

Avery Jane pushed open the door and felt a slight uneasiness, but couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong. The air carried a strange and unsettling atmosphere. Turning on the light, she saw the Marguerites quietly blooming in the silver vase, while the silk curtains draped onto the plush carpet, with moonlight casting a delicate glow over the beautiful carpet. Wasn’t he already back? Why was it like this? Had he gone out? She was used to having his company on nights like these, but seeing the vast, empty house made her feel an unbearable chill.

When he was here, his presence filled every corner, piercing through all the coldness. His body, like a furnace, could melt someone into water. But now, with him absent, her hands and feet grew cold and numb. She sank onto the sofa, feeling too drained to even take a hot bath, like a small animal stripped of its bones, collapsing on the sofa. She curled her knees, hugged her legs, and buried her head like an ostrich. Even if he were here, how could she ask him? Would he tell her the truth?

The door was pushed open once more, the plush carpet absorbing the sound of the man’s footsteps.

He walked to the side of the sofa, sat down, and gently stroked the long hair: ”What’s wrong?”

The person with their head buried lightly trembled a shoulder, but didn’t lift their head. It was his familiar aura, warm and safe before, but now charged with danger and temptation, both making her want to lean in closer, involuntarily drawn in. But what exactly was she to him?

She wasn’t his wife, that was certain. A lover? Or worse, a mistress? Or something else? Did she just yield to him for money? Just thinking about it terrified her, making her reluctant to look at him. Such a man only made women feel increasingly captivated...

The faint scent of musk permeated the air, seeping into her breath. She simply wanted to preserve this quiet feeling.

Strong muscular arms encircled her, pulling her small curled-up form into a broad chest. Avery Jane’s body trembled: ”Don’t move, let me hold you...” The magnetic voice drifted in the air, carrying a faint, unseen sadness. She could hear it, feel his heart beating steadily, powerfully. She gave up on the thought of breaking free, quietly nestled in his embrace, mingling with his presence.

”Where did you go tonight?” The man’s deep voice descended slowly above her head, intoxicating like fine wine, confusing her in the quiet night.

”I went to see a friend.” Her small face remained buried in her knees, her voice subdued.

Joshua Hughes’ heart trembled with her words, his heartbeat almost skipping a beat, slightly irregular: ”Male or female?”

”Female.” Avery Jane took a deep breath, his scent pleasing yet the tobacco smell on him was heavier today.

Was she lying to him? This realization felt like a hammer striking his heart, darkening his vision with pain—she was deceiving him...

Joshua Hughes gently lifted her face, his fingers carrying a unique tobacco aroma, looking at her fine porcelain-like face with perfect contours. He spoke word by word: ”Avery, I’m not an unreasonable husband. You’re allowed to have your own friends, as long as you tell me the truth, understand?” He hoped she would admit to her deception; at least it would suggest she cared about him deep down, a willingness to be honest.

But did she deceive him? She had indeed met a female friend today. Avery Jane’s heart quivered, and she immediately realized someone was still following her, reporting her whereabouts. Perhaps they saw Beckett Wright sending her off, but should she rejoice? At least Joshua Hughes wasn’t as domineering as before, at least he hadn’t erupted in anger, yet everything was still not right.

Lately, even Joshua Hughes seemed off—was he hiding something from her too?

Avery Jane looked at Joshua Hughes, the orange-yellow light in the room illuminating the man’s resolute features. This man exuded brilliance between his brows, his thin lips carried a deadly sensual curve, as if he were a king overlooking the world, having all at his feet, making people surrender, fall deeply and unable to escape. She wanted to resist him, keep her distance; otherwise, if one day she had to leave him, she feared she wouldn’t be able to part, unable to let go.

”Stop thinking, go take a bath, okay?” Even hugged like this, her body felt cold, her small hands soft and cool. Damn it, he wished he’d rather feel discomfort than force her...

He led her into the bedroom. The bedroom walls adorned with crystal-constructed wall lamps, small yet extremely delicate. She didn’t like overly bright or glaring lights in the bedroom, so he especially ordered these wall lamps, giving off just the right softness without being too dim.

As soon as the wall lamp lit, Avery Jane suddenly screamed in horror, her eyes wide, unable to believe what she saw—it was terrifying...