The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 117- too selfish

"You’re awake?"

Charles stepped into the room to find Janet lying on the bed, dazedly staring at the ceiling like he didn’t exist. That little bit of indifference made him pout—just a little.

"Where did you go?"

Janet tried to sit up, but the motion made her gasp sharply in pain. Charles rushed forward, helping her up with utmost care. His fingers brushed her bangs aside, and his voice softened into a tone that could melt steel.

"You slept all day. You must be starving. I went to get us dinner."

With that, he pulled out the source of the delicious smell—a warm, fragrant takeout box filled with authentic L.A.-style Chinese dishes. The scent alone had Janet’s stomach rumbling.

"Wait... you said I slept all day? It’s night already?"

Janet blinked toward the darkened sky outside the window. She vaguely remembered waking up that morning... only to fall right back into deep slumber.

"Yup. My little sleepy pig. Honestly, if I sold you while you were out, you wouldn’t even know it."

Charles pinched her cheek gently, his teasing laced with unmistakable affection. His voice, like a lullaby, wrapped itself around her heart.

"You dare?"

Janet took the spoon he offered and bonked it lightly on his head. Then she blinked at him with those big innocent eyes that made his soul melt. Charles ruffled her hair lovingly and gazed at her pale face with heartache hidden in his eyes.

"Of course I don’t dare, my lady wife. Now hurry up and eat."

He watched her, completely mesmerized. Even the way she held a spoon felt captivating to him.

"You’re not eating?"

She felt awkward under his intense stare, even though she was eating politely.

"I’ll eat after you," he said, eyes glinting with mischief. "Feed me once you’re full."

Janet paused, then caught the double meaning in his words.

"You wish! I’m still sore—you go find your little Aussie girlfriends to ’feed’ you!"

She muttered under her breath, still feeling the residual ache from the night before. How could he be so... vigorous? Wasn’t there a limit to human stamina?

Charles, meanwhile, had quietly moved closer. His hand slipped under her pajama top with the ease of a seasoned rogue. Janet immediately slapped his hand away, her brows furrowing from the twinge of pain.

"Only you can satisfy me, babe," he murmured hotly, leaning in again.

In a blink, she was pinned beneath him once more, her eyes flying open in alarm as he nudged her thighs apart.

"You beast!"

Janet cursed through gritted teeth, trying to push him off—but her body felt weak, drained. Charles instantly noticed something was wrong and jumped back in concern.

"Are you okay? Did I hurt you somewhere?"

His eyes scanned her face, genuinely worried.

"I’m... I’m still sore. Please, can we not tonight?"

Her voice trembled, eyes misted with unshed tears. Charles froze, guilt slamming into his chest. He realized now how reckless he’d been the night before—too desperate, too intense. Maybe... too selfish.

He had hurt her.

"Let me see," he said, reaching toward her clothes.

"No!" Janet pulled back, covering herself quickly and turning away. Her voice was soft but firm. "It’s fine. I just need to rest."

Charles stood and stormed off to the bathroom without another word. A cold splash of water to the face later, he returned, looking remorseful and quiet. He sat beside her, not touching, only watching her with eyes full of guilt and self-blame.

"Baby... I’m sorry."

The words were low, sincere, and more effective than any grand apology.

Janet’s heart softened immediately. She raised her head and crawled back into his arms. That familiar scent of Dior on his body—clean, warm, and uniquely his—wrapped around her like home.

And in that moment, all was forgiven.

That night, Charles didn’t disturb Janet again. Instead, he held her close and they slept through the night, wrapped in each other’s warmth.

In the following days, Charles took Janet all around the small town. They wandered through endless flower gardens bursting with colors and scents. When a young florist carefully braided a crown of fresh petals and placed it atop Janet’s head, her smile lit up like the sun.

"Do you like it?" she asked, beaming as she stood beside Charles.

Charles, hiding his admiration behind a casual tone, replied, "It’s alright."

Inside, however, he was anything but calm. The florist’s warm, friendly gaze at Janet had irritated him. He had reserved this entire patch of blossoms so that Janet’s eyes would only ever see him. Yet here was some other man, clumsily trying to win her smile.

"What’s that supposed to mean? You don’t appreciate anything!" Janet muttered, plucking the flower crown from her hair and pouting as she walked away.

Soon, Charles’s shadow fell over her again. She pretended to be annoyed, not turning around, her fingers brushing over a dew-covered leaf to vent her frustration.

"Listen, only things I give you are worthy of wearing. That’s true art—got it?" Charles suddenly grabbed her right hand and slipped something soft and fuzzy onto her finger.

Janet looked down. It was a ring woven from delicate flower petals, sliding onto her right ring finger. Compared to the sparkling diamond on her left hand, it was modest—but stunning in its own right.

She glanced at Charles, hands in his pockets, his face cool and unreadable. Only then did she realize how possessive he was—only gifts from him were allowed.

"It’s alright," Janet said, mimicking his earlier cold tone, shaking her hand free. Ignoring Charles’s annoyed glare, she dashed toward the wide expanse of lush grass ahead.

"Hey! You ungrateful woman!" Charles called after her, chasing quickly to catch up.

With a confident grin, he wrapped his arms around her waist and tumbled down with her onto the soft green lawn.

Lying in the sun-soaked grass, the beautiful Eastern woman nestled into the handsome, stoic man’s embrace. In that perfect moment, it felt like time itself paused to capture their timeless love.

Janet found herself falling more in love with the simple charm of this Hawaiian town every day. The endless scenery and gentle melodies became their daily soundtrack.

After nearly two weeks, they finally packed up and left. Though reluctant, Janet knew they had to return.

On the day before their flight, Charles took her back to the beach one last time. She laughed and played like a carefree child, her joy contagious. For a fleeting moment, Charles wished he could stay here forever with her—grow old by her side in this paradise.

If only he had known that fate would soon force them apart, he would have bound her to him forever—keeping her completely, irrevocably his.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by (f)reew𝒆b(n)ov𝒆l.com