Chapter 42 Colin is displeased

Claire's POV

Colin came in from the balcony door, and I had just heard him raising his voice out there, which worried me a bit.

"What happened?" He met my gaze and asked nonchalantly.

"Were you on the phone just now?"

"Mm, an old prison mate." Colin replied indifferently. "He's been asking to borrow money since he got out. I told him to stop contacting me."

"Oh." I nodded understandingly, "No wonder you were yelling so loudly, you almost shook the building! But you did the right thing. It's best to not keep in touch with those people, especially now that you're married. We have a life to live together after all."

Colin said nothing.

My eyes shifted from the computer to find Colin staring at a photo of Kevin on the screen, looking quite displeased.

Rubbing my eyes, I felt a pang of pain in my stomach and looked around for painkillers when Colin suddenly approached with large strides and closed my laptop with a snap.

Startled, I stared wide-eyed, "What are you doing? I need to look at that data!"

His face darkened, "What's so good to look at!"

"It's a client. I need to familiarize myself with his habits and interests and then..."

I didn't finish my sentence when Colin swiftly collected his pillow and blankets and laid them on the other side of the bed.
A pang hit my heart, and my face heated slightly as I asked softly, "What are you doing?"

Colin's face was stern as he forced out two words, "I’m sleeping."
My cheeks flushed, and standing timidly at the bedroom door, my hands nervously fiddled with my clothes.

"Tonight... tonight's not good," I said so softly it was almost inaudible.

Colin frowned, "What's not good?"

I hopped with embarrassment: "I'm still on my period... so it's not good!"

"You misunderstood. I didn't want to sleep with you, just to sleep." Colin stretched out his arm, pulling me over and enfolding me in front of him.

We both tumbled onto the bed with him holding me from behind, my body tensed...Just as I was about to object, Colin's hand stopped and gently rubbed my abdomen.

The warmth of his palm was comforting, and as he wrapped me in his embrace, the heat spread, easing the pain in my stomach.

I felt much more comfortable, and then I heard Colin's deep, magnetic voice say by my ear, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you; I just don't want you to be in so much pain."

I broke into a smile, a sweet feeling permeating my heart.

"Does your stomach still hurt?"

"Mhm."

"If it hurts badly again in the future, don't take painkillers," Colin whispered. "Let me warm it with my hands; it's better than medication."

I nodded and snuggled closer in his embrace, my fluffy hair brushing against his Adam's apple. I noticed Colin biting his lip hard, looking anguished.

"You're so warm," I said. I could tell he seemed tortured now, but his warmth made my rigid body relax.
Getting married to Colin was a gamble I was forced into, betting my future happiness. To my surprise, the gamble paid off; I found myself a wonderful husband.

But if I hadn't taken Hailey's place, the warmth would belong to her, and she would be the one in Colin's arms. Thinking of this, I suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

"Colin," I said softly, "can I ask you something?"

Colin kissed my forehead. "What is it?"

"What if..." I turned to face him, "what if one day you found out I've deceived you, or did something you can't accept, would you forgive me?"