Chapter 323

After hanging up, Samuel kept his eyes on Shelmaine. "Julien's not coming back for you, so stop thinking about him." Shelmaine's eyelids flickered, but she stayed silent. She just didn't want to talk to him. "Shelmaine, do I need to go after Julien just to make you speak?" "You promised you wouldn't." Her voice came out quietly, just as her eyes opened at the same time. "Shelly, do I really have to threaten you to get you to talk to me?" Shelmaine sighed. "Sometimes, I just don't want to talk." "Sometimes? You can talk to the maid and to Kingston, but not me?" Samuel's lips curled into a cold smile. "Must I force you?" She exhaled deeply. "I'm exhausted. I don't feel like talking." Without another word, he kissed her. It wasn't gentle—there was an edge to it like he wanted to prove something. Everything Kingston had just said flew out the window, and Samuel ignored it completely. "Don't want to talk? Then, let me hear you another way." Shelmaine wasn't interested in being intimate with him at all. Her body felt disconnected from her mind. She tried to suppress any reaction and, for the most part, succeeded. Eventually, though, her body betrayed her with the faintest response… Afterward, Samuel carried her into the bathroom. They rested together in the bathtub, but Shelmaine barely reacted. She was exhausted and didn't feel like speaking. She leaned forward, resting against the edge of the tub, moonlight spilling in through the window. Her smooth, pale skin seemed to glow that it almost reflected under the light. Samuel couldn't take his eyes off her back. He leaned in, pressing soft kisses against her neck, his voice gentle, "Are you that tired?" As expected, there was no response from Shelmaine. She didn't want to say anything, ignoring his presence entirely. Samuel swirled the water in the tub. "It's getting cold. Let's get out." She pushed him away and stood up on her own, reaching for a bathrobe. He chuckled softly, trailing behind her into the bedroom. She sat down at the vanity, brushing her hair. Fresh from the bath, her skin looked even more radiant and almost delicate. He moved closer, squeezing some lotion into his hands and gently rubbing it onto her body, his touch soft and careful. Shelmaine didn't stop him. Instead, she looked at him coldly through the mirror. "I've told you, I don't want kids right now. I can't stop you from getting your way, but I hope you take precautions." "I remember what I promised. As for kids, we can start getting ready anytime." "And what about what I want?" Shelmaine hadn't forgotten the terms of their remarriage, constantly remembering them. Samuel knelt beside her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. "Give me some time. I'm working on it." "You're not just trying to find a way for your family to deal with me, are you?" "Is that really how you see me?" "Trust is not something that exists when it comes to you. Not at all." Samuel laughed softly. "I won't break my word. Don't worry." Moments later, he carried her back to the bed, leaning over her. He breathed in her skin's familiar, sweet scent, a fragrance he couldn't get enough. He kissed her again, noticing how she tried to avoid him. He held her wrists down, his voice husky as he whispered, "Let's try again. Don't hold back, Shelly. We know each other by now. I promise I'll pull out. I'll respect your decision." Shelmaine turned her face away, closing her eyes, blocking him out. That night, Samuel was relentless, keeping her wrapped up in his touch. At one point, he asked, "So, how far did you and Julien go? Hmm?" Shelmaine didn't answer.