Chapter 22 This Body Is Too Familiar to Him
After Brittany took her medicine and started feeling drowsy, Julie helped her back to her bedroom. Then, Amelia went upstairs, too.
Seeing Amelia head upstairs with a smile, Julie quickly said, "Mrs. Hastings, we've prepared your nightgown for you. It's in the walk-in closet."
Amelia nodded at the words.
When she entered the bedroom, Frederick had already finished his shower and was sitting on the bed, fiddling with his cell phone. He glanced up at Amelia and said, "I've set the water temperature for you." Then he continued to tap on his cell phone, seemingly responding to a message.
Amelia looked away and walked into the walk-in closet to get her nightgown.
Julie had prepared a variety of nightgowns, but they all shared one common trait: they were very short. Amelia chose one that was slightly longer than the others. Although this red nightgown was a bit longer, it left the entire back exposed. She massaged her temples, choosing a backless style over one that exposed more leg.
After picking out her nightgown, Amelia proceeded to the bathroom.
Once Frederick replied to Felix's message, he set his cell phone aside and stared at the bathroom door. He had noticed the range of nightgowns the Hastings Manor staff had prepared for Amelia when he had been in the walk-in closet earlier. Each nightgown was very sensual, a style Amelia had never worn before, and it sparked an inexplicable sense of anticipation in him.
When Amelia emerged, she awkwardly placed her hand over her chest, not having noticed earlier that the nightgown had a very low neckline in addition to being backless. She had never worn this style before, and now she looked somewhat uneasy.
She glanced nervously toward the bed, but Frederick, who had been sitting there a moment ago playing with his phone, was no longer in the room. Her eyes lingered on the spot where he had lain before, her emotions tangled.
Just as she was about to look away, she saw Frederick standing in the doorway to the balcony, clad in a robe, looking at her. The red nightdress she wore accentuated her delicate skin tone, and the mist from the bathroom added a soft glow around her as if she was filtered in a dusky light.
Frederick watched her with a profound look, his Adam's apple rolling. "Did you think I had left?" he asked.
Amelia pursed her lips, trying to contain her discomfort as she wiped her hair with a towel and sat down at the vanity without responding to his question.
Frederick raised an eyebrow.
He thought to himself, "Amelia was so chatty with Grandma just now, but she's as silent as a mute now that she's with me."
Frederick's mood shifted subtly as he stepped forward, took the towel from Amelia's hands, and began to dry her hair.
Amelia paused for a moment, her heartbeat racing as she watched his concentrated expression in the vanity mirror.
Noticing her puzzled look, Frederick explained, "Don't get the wrong idea. You're drying your hair too slowly, and it's going to affect my sleep. I have an important meeting early tomorrow."
Amelia remained silent.
She let Frederick blow-dry her hair.
She had agreed to give Frederick three months' time. If three years hadn't changed anything, what could three months do?
Although Amelia knew the likely outcome, she couldn't help but hold on to a sliver of hope.
In three months, the child within her would be more than four months along.
Her child might not have a father's presence in the future, so she considered this time as a form of compensation.
Frederick was gentle, drying her hair without tangling a single strand.
His movements were practiced as if he frequently dried women's hair.
Occasionally, Frederick's fingertips would brush against the skin on Amelia's back.
Each accidental touch sent a thrill through Amelia, making her nerves taut with a strange sensation.
Only when her hair was completely dry did Frederick set the hairdryer aside.
Amelia touched her hair and murmured, "It's dry now."
Frederick turned off the hairdryer with a soft "hmm," his voice husky as he added, "Let's go to sleep."
With that, he turned and climbed into bed.
Amelia hesitated. They had been sleeping together for three years, but now her heart was racing as if they were newly married.
Controlling her emotions, Amelia got into bed from the other side, quickly slid under the covers, and lay down stiffly.
Lying rigidly, she looked up at the ceiling.
Frederick noticed her tense stance and let out a cold chuckle, "Amelia, that nightgown is a waste on you."
Amelia froze, glancing his way. She felt as if she'd been pricked in the heart when she saw the mocking look in his eyes and promptly fired back.
"How about I take it off and give it to Ms. Roberts tomorrow?"
Frederick immediately became angry.
Amelia saw his eyes flash with rage and slowly turned away from him, relaxing her posture and lying on her side.
She wondered what she had been nervously anticipating moments before!
Frederick furrowed his brow as he watched Amelia's alluring back, his emotions beginning to churn. He had just reached out to pull her into his embrace when suddenly, Amelia turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness. Under the dim light, she couldn't see the annoyance on Frederick's face.
The following morning, Amelia woke up on time. Opening her eyes, she was surprised to find herself tightly hugging Frederick. "You're awake?" His voice, deep and slightly hoarse with contained frustration, broke the morning silence.
Amelia immediately withdrew her hands and looked up at Frederick. His intense gaze fell upon her, traveling downward. Amelia paused for a brief moment, then quickly lifted her hands to cover herself, but in the next second, he took her hands and pushed them upward, leaning in closer.
Frederick's movements were rough, startling Amelia and causing her to tense up. "Frederick!" she exclaimed. But he, with desire in his eyes, silenced her lips before she could speak further.
Vigorous activity wasn't advisable during the first three months of pregnancy. Moreover, Amelia had been under significant stress at work recently, and there were concerns about the pregnancy's stability.
Frederick's grip on her hands was firm, making it impossible for Amelia to break free. His brusque approach left Amelia in tears out of panic. Frederick felt her tears on his lips and abruptly stopped all movement. After a moment, he lifted his head to look at her, and upon seeing her tears, he clenched his teeth in frustration.
"Amelia, we're still not divorced," he growled.
Amelia remained silent, her tears speaking volumes. It was as if a cold bucket of water had been poured over him, his tone now tinged with defeat. "Fine. I won't touch you."
After calming down, Frederick got out of bed and entered the bathroom, and soon, the sound of running water filled the space. Amelia quickly wiped away her tears and got dressed.
When he emerged from the bathroom, his expression had cooled significantly. His glance at Amelia was indifferent. He said nothing, simply walked past her from the bedroom and descended the stairs as if the earlier incident had never happened.
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