CHAPTER 96: NO THAT’S NOT HOW I LOVE YOU

It was early in the morning, and the mansion was cloaked in a quiet stillness, the kind that settles just before the day begins to stir.

In the living room, logan sitting by the tall window, the early light drawing sharp lines across his jaw.

He had a phone pressed to his ear, his voice low and measured as he spoke.

"Logan, I will send you the flash drive. Everything is inside," the voice on the other end said, calm but urgent.

Logan, who was seated on a wide leather couch with one leg crossed, leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable.

His fingers tapped against the armrest, slow and calculating.

"Are you sure it can destroy Lewis and his company completely? To the very last step?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

"Yes. And trust me—you’ll praise me when you see it."

A cold smile played across Logan’s face. His eyes, dark with quiet malice, gleamed at the thought of Lewis finally crumbling.

"I’ll take you to the brim, Lewis. Murder," Logan murmured, his voice low and filled with venom.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but it vanished instantly when the sound of a door creaked open behind him.

Rachel stepped into the room without warning, her presence soft and warm in contrast to the chill that had just filled the space.

She wore a pale pink bathrobe, still damp around the edges from her shower.

Wisps of steam curled around her collarbone as her skin glowed with morning warmth.

"Love, good morning," she said with a sleepy smile, before sinking down casually onto Logan’s lap, her plush robe parting slightly at her thighs as she settled.

Logan’s features softened instantly. Whatever steel had lined his gaze melted away as he looked up at her, quickly hanging up the call and setting the phone beside him.

"Sweetie, good morning," he replied, his voice lighter now, tinged with affection. His arm curled protectively around her waist.

"You just came out of the bathroom?" he asked, eyeing the water droplets still clinging to her neck.

Rachel gave a shy smile and nodded. "Yes... I just thought I’d see you before getting dressed."

"Okay," he said, brushing a few damp strands of hair from her face. "Shall we try your hair now?"

"If you don’t mind, sure," she replied, eyes twinkling with amusement as she leaned closer.

Logan’s grip around her waist tightened slightly, and in one fluid motion, he lifted her off his lap and carried her toward the bed.

"Let’s get you ready for the day," he said with a warm smile, though his steps held something more mischievous.

Instead of heading toward the vanity, he gently set her down on the edge of the bed.

"Logan, what are you trying to do?" Rachel asked, giving him a curious look as she sat up, her robe slipping slightly off one shoulder.

Logan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he began unbuttoning his shirt slowly, his gaze locked on hers.

"We’ll get ready for the day," he murmured, voice husky. "But first, we have to give each other snacks."

Just as he finished speaking, he leaned in close—so close Rachel could feel the warmth of his breath against her lips.

But instead of kissing her, his hand moved to her waist, fingers finding the robe’s belt.

With a single tug, the knot loosened.

After nearly two intense hours wrapped in passion, the bedroom air was thick with heat and the scent of shared desire.

The bedsheets were tangled, damp with sweat, and the only sounds were their shallow breaths—ragged and uneven.

Rachel lay sprawled beside Logan, her chest rising and falling quickly as she tried to steady her breath.

Their skin glistened in the soft afternoon light spilling through the slightly opened curtains.

Logan ran a hand through his tousled hair, his muscles still humming with exertion.

He turned to her, pulling her gently into his arms, pressing her flushed cheek against his bare chest.

"Are you alright?" he asked, voice quiet, more out of routine concern than true emotion.

Rachel nodded against him. "I’m alright," she murmured, but tears had already begun streaming down her cheeks, carving shiny tracks through the sheen of sweat.

Logan blinked. His eyes narrowed slightly, watching her tears fall, though his face betrayed nothing—neither guilt nor comfort.

"Then why are you crying?" he asked, his voice softer now, laced with something close to curiosity. Her tears did nothing to stir regret in him.

Not yet. The years had made his heart a battleground—scarred, closed off, but still capable of a strange tenderness when least expected.

Rachel sniffled and tried to gather her voice.

"You... you tore me," she said quietly, the words trembling out between her shaky breaths.

Logan winced internally. Outwardly, he put on a mask of sudden concern.

"Oh my! I’m sorry, dear," he said, but the tone of his voice didn’t match his words. It was too smooth. Too empty.

In his mind, something darker flickered: You deserved it.

The thought was sharp and cold, like broken glass.

Still, he turned his head and gave her another glance—this time softer, warmer.

He pulled her closer into his arms, his hands gentle against the curve of her spine.

"I’m sorry," he repeated, this time with a touch of real feeling. Something in her tears must’ve reached a buried part of him.

A strange weight formed in his chest as her delicate fingers rose to touch his cheek.

"It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize," she whispered, tracing the sharp angle of his jaw. "I know how you get... when you’re tempted. You lose control."

Her attempt to justify his behavior twisted something inside him.

Her forgiveness came too easily, too quickly, and instead of peace, it stirred guilt.

"You sure you’re alright?" he asked again, brows knitting. "Should I get you a painkiller?"

There was actual concern in his eyes now—a confusion he couldn’t quite name. His voice had shifted, no longer smooth and calculated, but hesitant.

Must you feel this for the girl, a voice whispered in his mind, when you plan to destroy her family?

The thought dropped like a metal tray hitting concrete—loud, cold, undeniable.

Logan pulled back slightly, staring up at the ceiling, still holding her against him.

His expression was unreadable, his thoughts churning violently beneath the surface.

Rachel turned to study him, noticing how his jaw clenched and relaxed, how his eyes shifted as if lost in a place far from her presence.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly, brushing her fingers over his ribs.

But Logan didn’t hear her. His mind had drifted somewhere else—somewhere darker.

"Logan..." Rachel called, giving him a gentle nudge.

He blinked and turned his head slowly. "Huh? What’s wrong, Rachel?"

"You’re spacing out. You sure you’re okay?" Her voice was laced with worry, eyes searching his.

Logan forced a small smile, reaching out to tuck a strand of damp hair behind her ear.

"I’m okay. Don’t worry."

Rachel exhaled slowly, relaxing a bit as he stroked her hair.

"Why don’t you get some rest? When you wake up, you’ll find the table set," he said, his tone warm, almost coaxing.

Rachel nodded immediately, her body already worn out.

She cuddled closer, her hand resting over his chest as she found comfort in the sound of his heartbeat.

Logan kept patting her hair slowly, rhythmically, until her breathing evened out and her lashes stilled against her cheeks.

She was asleep.

He swallowed hard.

"What are you doing, Logan?" he asked himself under his breath, staring at the ceiling again.

’I don’t know,’ he answered silently.

He turned on his side and looked down at her. She was so young.

So beautiful. Her face was peaceful, unaware of the storm raging inside the man holding her.

"I wanted to love you..." he whispered to the sleeping girl. "And I think I no longer do—or maybe I just convinced myself of that. But I can’t help it, Chely. It’s deep. It’s quiet. And it’s getting deeper without my permission."

He stared at her face as his thumb gently traced her cheek.

"But I will still ruin your father. He’s done enough. And the time has come to pay for everything he’s buried.

He will face the consequences—good or bad. He’ll watch it all unfold... with his own eyes."

His voice was soft, almost sad. Then he leaned in, pressing a feather-light kiss to her forehead.

"I hope, when that time comes... you’ll still choose to be with me," he said, though a part of him knew the odds were thin.

Hope wasn’t something he held easily anymore.

With a sigh, Logan wrapped his arms around her once more and closed his eyes. For now, the war within him quieter .

Their heartbeats synced, steady and soft, And eventually, sleep took them both.

In the kitchen, the warm scent of sautéed onions and toasted bread floated in the air as Logan carefully arranged the final dish on the dining table.

The plates were perfectly aligned, steam rising gently from freshly prepared meals, their colors vivid under the soft glow of the morning light.

Just as he reached for the last bowl, the sound of a door opening echoed softly from down the hallway.

Logan turned his head, his hand still hovering mid-air.

There she was—Rachel—stepping into the living room with a sleepy yet peaceful smile on her face.

Her hair was slightly tousled, her robe loosely tied around her waist.

She looked softer than ever in the morning light, and when her eyes met his, they shimmered with quiet affection.

"You’re awake," Logan said, a sweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he set the dish down.

"Yes, I’m awake," Rachel replied, her voice gentle as she padded across the room and slowly settled into one of the dining chairs.

"Waking up without you beside me leaves a strange, uneasy feeling in my stomach. I didn’t like it."

Logan raised a brow, chuckling as he leaned slightly toward her. "Oh really? Is that how you love me?"

His voice was teasing, but his eyes searched hers with quiet intensity. He wasn’t just playing—he wanted to hear it.

He needed to know the depth of what she felt, maybe to weigh it against the guilt clawing at his chest.

Rachel tilted her head, eyes narrowing as if trying to read his intent. "No... that’s not how I love you," she said softly, reaching for his hand.

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Hi lovelies ❤️

A quick heads-up about Privilege Unlocks (for those who want to read ahead):

When you click "Purchase Privilege," Webnovel may show multiple tiers with different prices — like 3 coins, 10 coins, etc.

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But the main tier I recommend is Tier 5 — that’s 7 Chapters ahead of the regular release for 25 coins.

📌 Why Tier 5?

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It helps me keep creating daily and maintaining fast updates

You get premium early access to all the emotional, romantic, and shocking scenes 👀💥

So if you’re loving the story and want to support me directly, I truly appreciate you choosing Tier 5. 💖

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With all my heart,

[MIDNIGHT_STAR07]

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