Chapter 15
"Is it so wrong that I don't want to accompany my husband to meet his lover? Francis, your love for her is your business. But please, can you spare me the agony? Don't you think it's cruel to drag me into this? How can you treat me so harshly?" Harper wriggled free and exploded.
Her heart felt as if countless ants were gnawing on it, a piercing pain consuming her. 'Does loving him mean I have to endure such treatment? I'm already so degraded. Why does he keep tormenting me?' Tears fell like pearls off a broken string. Harper couldn't hold them back any longer. 'Pitiful or pathetic, it didn't matter anymore. I know if I don't let it out, I'll suffocate from the repressed agony.'
Francis silently watched her, surprise flickering across his handsome visage. "Harper, are you jealous?" he asked, his tone lifting at the end. There was a hint of pleasure in his voice.
Harper lowered her gaze, acknowledging her position.
Their marriage was on the verge of collapse. What grounds did she have for jealousy? She clenched her teeth, frustration evident in her voice, "I'm just reminding you. We're not divorced yet. Don't go too far. If I decided to find another man, just like you—"
"Harper!" Francis cut her off forcefully, his gaze intense.
Suddenly, darkness descended as he leaned in, his incredible, clean scent engulfing her.
"Mm—"
Her lips were immediately captured, her unfinished words swallowed by his.
He kissed her! Harper's eyes widened, and her mind went momentarily blank.
"Harper." He paused to say her name. His voice was low and husky.
She was still in a daze.
Sensing her disarray, Francis lightly arched an eyebrow. He covered her eyes and whispered, "Close your eyes."
Without his direction, her unguarded expression was like a blank canvas, pure and untouched. It made him feel as if he were committing a crime.
Francis's elegant fingers tilted her chin upward, resuming the kiss. His sensual lips softly suckled the delicate petals of her mouth, each touch as if drawing nectar.
The man's kissing technique was masterful. He grazed the surface before delving deeper, leaving the girl utterly defenseless.
In the quiet car, the sound of their intimate kisses filled the air. Their seat belts remained fastened, adding a forbidden edge to the tension between them.
Gradually, he shifted his body toward her imperceptibly, the intensity of his kiss growing stronger.
Harper panicked, feeling consumed, and pushed against him.
He was immovable, steadfast as iron.
Eventually, right before her breath could be completely swept away, he released her, his voice laced with a seductive breathlessness, "Still feel like talking nonsense?"
Her lips were swollen and tender from the kiss, much to his satisfaction. Just the thought of her mentioning other men made him want to punish her fiercely, to ensure she'd never dare to do it again.
Harper's mind was still fogged with disbelief.
'How could he have kissed me again? Especially after we signed the divorce papers. What was he even thinking?'
Francis reached out, his touch as gentle as moonlight, brushing the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"I'll take you home."
Harper turned her face away, annoyance cutting through her surprise as she shuffled to the side.
"Don't do that again. We're getting divorced," she reminded him sternly.
'If his heart belongs to someone else, he has no right to demean me. What was he doing? Did he see me as a backup option?'
Francis looked into her moist eyes and suddenly murmured a soft "Sorry."
Harper clenched her fists, feeling a tightness in her chest at his apology.
If he couldn't offer love, then she wouldn't accept pity.
That's what she told herself.
After a pause to collect her thoughts, Harper spoke calmly. "Don't worry about what Dylan said. I need to be independent eventually. You can't always be there to look after me."
Francis frowned slightly, "Harper, even if we're not husband and wife, you're still my family. I'll always take care of you."
The car was filled with his pleasant, masculine scent.
Harper knew she should kick the habit.
She couldn't lie to herself anymore.
He didn't love her, and she wouldn't accept charity.
Her voice was a bit hoarse, "It's not necessary. It's better we don't see each other after the divorce."
She knew that any role other than his wife that allowed her to get close to him would only bring her agony.
"Harper..." Francis began, a furrow forming between his brows, but a sudden ringtone interrupted him.
"Let's go," Harper said evenly, "someone is waiting for you."
The drive to Clearwater Bay was silent. When Harper got out of the car, she didn't look back, striding forward until she disappeared into her building, never hearing the car start up.
She couldn't understand why he wasn't in a hurry. 'Wasn't Chloe anxiously waiting for him?'
But it wasn't her concern anymore. All she wanted now was to finalize the divorce quickly.
So she would no longer have to worry about guarding her heart.
...
Harper had spent a day resting at home, and on Sunday morning, Molly invited her out.
After some time together, Molly left for a facial SPA, and Harper, cautious of skincare products affecting the baby, opted out and went to browse the neighboring mall instead.
Passing by a "Maternity and Baby Store," she saw a video of a newborn baby who was so adorable and soft played on the LCD TV.
She stopped in her tracks, drawn irresistibly into the store.
The shop assistant approached with enthusiasm, "What can I help you find, miss?"
"I'm just taking a look," Harper replied.
Harper wore no makeup, and her clear eyes, coupled with her plump apple cheeks, gave her the appearance of a college student. The Shop Assistant mused that she must be shopping for a gift.
"Sure thing," she said with a smile. "You can browse our gender-neutral section first. Just put what you like in the basket. We have self-checkout over there, and if you place an order today, we'll include a free book about pregnancy."
With that, the Shop Assistant moved on.
Harper looked at the baby clothes, feeling a surge of happiness. It was the first time she truly felt the reality of her pregnancy. She gently touched her belly, wondering about the baby’s gender and if it would have any resemblance to Francis.
A wave of bitterness crept up in her chest. It didn't matter who the baby resembled. He probably wouldn't care either way.
Shaking off the gloom, she composed herself and selected a few cute outfits. After paying, she was leaving the store when a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.
Turning instinctively, she saw a distinguished figure standing in a jewelry store—a silhouette she'd recognize anywhere. It was Francis.
The serene vibe from the Maternity and Baby Store must have lifted her spirits, for she felt a surge of happiness upon seeing him and quickly stepped toward him.
Before she could speak, a soft call came, "Francis."
Her step faltered as she noticed another woman by his side, wearing a blue knit dress. Francis leaned slightly toward her, his voice tender, "Is everything okay?"
"All good, thanks to you, Francis," replied the woman, turning to reveal her gentle, fragile appearance. It was Chloe.
The Shop Assistant handed Chloe a gift bag with a cheer, "You're so fortunate, having a hubby who's not only handsome but so good to you!"
Harper's smile vanished, and she stood frozen. 'Hubby? Were they in such a hurry to get married?'
The world around her turned dark, and she thought to leave, but her legs felt unbearably heavy, dragging her downwards.
—Thud!
The bag slipped from her grasp, clothes spilling out onto the floor.
"Harper!"
Chloe turned and caught sight of her, "What a coincidence to see you here!"
Francis also looked up, surprised to encounter Harper at the store.
In a flurry, Harper crouched to stuff the clothes back into the bag as Francis approached.
Tall, chiseled, with a distinguished air about him, he stood out like a character from a painting, instantly capturing the attention of passersby.
As he neared, he suddenly stooped to pick up a book from the ground, intending to hand it over to Harper.
The book was the very pregnancy guide that the Shop Assistant had just given her.
Harper's heart skipped a beat, her calm facade crumbling.
"What's this..." Francis wondered aloud, eyeing the colorful cover, preparing to read the title.
Harper, quicker than thought, snatched the book back. "It's nothing." She stuffed the book into her bag.
A flicker of suspicion crossed Francis's eyes, and he was about to inquire further when noticing Harper's pale face, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you feeling all right?"
As he reached out to check her forehead, Harper abruptly stepped back, avoiding his touch.
Behind them, Chloe's eyes momentarily glinted with malice, a sentiment that vanished as quickly as it came.
The next instant, she swayed, collapsing gently against Francis, who caught her with ease.
"Tired, huh?" His voice was exceptionally tender.
Chloe offered a feeble smile and apologetically murmured, "I promised to walk with you, and look at me now—can't even stand for long."
"I'll get the wheelchair," Francis said, gently guiding Chloe to a seating area in the VIP lounge.
Before leaving, he approached Harper, his gaze intense. "Don't go. Wait for me here."
Chloe, who overheard the exchange, immediately frowned.
Once Francis was out of sight, she sprang to her feet and confronted Harper with a confrontational tone. "We need to talk."
Her solid and assertive words stood in stark contrast to her previously feeble state.
The Shop Assistant looked on in disbelief.
Unsurprised, Harper had seen Chloe's façade slip before, right at the restaurant entrance.
"I have nothing to talk about with you," Harper stated flatly.
Chloe scoffed challengingly, "What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Harper curved her lips in a wry smile as if having heard a joke. "You strut around arm-in-arm with someone else's husband without fear. Why would I be scared?"
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