CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 103: BACKLASH

He held her hand again.

Victoria Sinclair became even more flustered, pulling her hand with all her might, but unable to break free.

In the next second, Eugene Vaughn bent down and lifted her up horizontally.

Her feet and body were unexpectedly in the air. Victoria was startled, her heart pounding erratically. Instinctively, she clung to his shoulder with a tremble in her voice, "Eugene, what are you doing?"

"Going home." Eugene’s voice was low and firm as he carried her with strides towards the apartment complex, exuding an undeniable aura.

His arms were solid and strong, seemingly wanting to embed her entirely into his body.

"Put me down." Victoria struggled, her voice filled with panic and helplessness, "I have other things to do."

Eugene ignored this, quickening his pace as if afraid she would vanish from his arms the next second.

His voice turned a degree colder, laced with restrained anger, "Where did you stay these five days? What were you busy with?"

Victoria pursed her lips and remained silent.

In the night, the light from the street lamps cast a shadow under his deep-set eyes.

Eugene’s expression darkened, his voice serious, "Victoria, we’re not divorced yet. Must you treat me like this?"

Victoria didn’t know how to answer his question, her throat tightening as if something was stuck there.

As they got closer to the neighborhood, more passersby appeared.

Victoria felt a rush of embarrassment, her cheeks flushing as she instinctively buried her face in Eugene’s chest, her voice low as a mosquito’s: "Put me down, Eugene, I beg you. I’ll agree to go home."

Yet Eugene pretended not to hear, holding her even tighter.

He was carrying his wife home; even if seen by the security guards and neighbors, what difference did it make?

Inside the elevator, Victoria blushingly asked, "Aren’t you tired?"

Eugene’s expression remained stern, but his tone was gentle, "You’re light. Even carrying you a few more kilometers wouldn’t make me tired."

"I hardly ever see you exercise."

The elevator door opened, and Eugene carried her out while explaining unhurriedly, "I come home late often, usually spending time at the gym."

Victoria was slightly taken aback, her heart a mix of emotions.

Eugene held her with one arm, using his fingerprint to unlock the door. Once inside, he kicked the door shut behind him.

Without changing shoes, he carried her straight to the sofa and sat down.

Just as Victoria was about to get up, Eugene held her tightly in his arms, his arms like iron shackles, holding her firmly.

Eugene buried his face in the nook of her neck, greedily inhaling her fragrance, murmuring softly, "Don’t move, let me hold you for a while."

Victoria stiffened in Eugene’s embrace, listening to his rapid yet heavy breathing, her mind in turmoil.

The living room was so quiet that only their heartbeats could be heard, each thump pounding on her increasingly taut nerves.

After a long while, Eugene slowly lifted his head, staring straight at Victoria: "Can we not get a divorce?"

Victoria avoided his intense gaze, biting her lip, remaining silent.

Eugene gently caressed her cheek, his thumb softly brushing against the corner of her lips, "I know I was wrong before, that I’ve made you suffer, but I can’t live without you."

Victoria felt an ache in her eyes, tears almost spilling over. She turned her head away, her voice choked, "Eugene, the issues between us can’t be resolved with just a few words."

Eugene held her tighter, as if trying to use his embrace to dispel all her unease: "No matter what the problem is, we’ll face it and solve it together. As long as we don’t divorce, I’m willing to do anything."

Victoria closed her eyes, her mind filled with images of the neglected marriage over the past two years, constantly exhausting her.

It was a series of hopes and disappointments.

Now, having made up her mind to divorce, there was no room for turning back.

Victoria steeled her heart and lied, "I never loved you. This issue can never be resolved."

Eugene let out a slight scoff.

Victoria thought he would be angry, would be furious, but instead, he nonchalantly mumbled, "It doesn’t matter, I don’t care."

Victoria couldn’t comprehend Eugene’s mindset; why was he clinging to this loveless marriage?

For the past two years of marriage, he had been cold and indifferent, thoroughly breaking her heart.

Just when she had completely let go of this marriage and chosen divorce, he strangely became inexplicably incomprehensible.

It was no longer a matter of whether she would continue to compromise.

The decision rested in his father’s hands.

Victoria struggled, pushing against his chest, angrily saying, "Eugene, it’s come to this point, the divorce is a given."

Eugene’s large hand hooked around Victoria’s nape, pulling her in closer, staring at her with turbulent eyes, his warm breath hitting her trembling eyelashes: "Have you ever seen what I’m really like?"

His other large hand at that moment was sliding down her spine, lingering dangerously at her tailbone.

Victoria’s body tensed, her breathing gradually becoming chaotic and rapid.

"Last time, Vivian Miller barged into my room and touched my nose while I was still asleep." Eugene’s voice was particularly hoarse and low, murmuring, "At that time, I mistakenly thought it was you and was so excited I trembled all over."

Victoria was stunned, her heart trembling.

"And that time when you were drunk. While changing your clothes, I couldn’t resist touching your body, even stealing a kiss." His gaze became misty, dark and deep, with a faintly bitter smile at the corners of his mouth, "I’m not the kind you suspect, not gay, and I know you don’t love me. For two years I’ve been waiting for you to make a move. If only you had shown even the slightest bit of affection, I wouldn’t have been so cold to you for two years."

Victoria’s pupils shrank, suddenly realizing what hidden and complex emotions were dormant in those details she had overlooked.

There was a strange yet heartbreaking logic in his words.

"Why insist on waiting for me to make a move?" Victoria asked, utterly bewildered.

Eugene didn’t directly answer, his lips pressed into a thin line, taking a deep breath, his eyes filled with frustration and regret, "I was wrong, terribly wrong. Now my stubbornness is backfiring. You want a divorce, and I really panicked. I tried to mend things, but you seem indifferent."

Victoria felt low-spirited, filled with suspicion.

This version of Eugene made her feel utterly unfamiliar, as if she never truly knew him.

Eugene’s eyes gradually reddened as he shared his inner torment, his affectionately gazing into her clear eyes, whispering bitterly, "I don’t know if you’re just momentarily confused or if your heart belongs to someone else. I can’t let go, or surmount that barrier. But I know I can’t let you go."

Victoria couldn’t help but frown, slowly digesting his words, a chill running down her spine.

A momentary lapse? Or an emotional attachment?

At first listen, why did it sound like she cheated?

And his phrase "surmount that barrier" made her certain he was harboring something he couldn’t let her know.

Even knowing the outcome would eventually be divorce, she also wanted to know the truth.