CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 74: RACHEL HAYES DIDN’T ABORT THE CHILD, THE TRUTH EXPOSED!

When that damp softness brushed past his fingertips, Rhys Hawthorne’s body suddenly tensed, and a faint shadow of desire gradually tinged his light-colored eyes.

Victoria Monroe wasn’t much better off than him. She quickly withdrew her body, pressing close to the window.

Her cheeks to her earlobes were flushed, even the delicate skin of her neck tinted with a faint blush.

How could it be that, after all these years of marriage, she still felt shy like a young girl?

In fact, Victoria Monroe’s experience was limited to just Julian Fordham. Afraid of his disapproval, she kept her distance from other men since she was young.

Even a little intimacy made her feel like she was committing a grave, forbidden act, her reactions reflexive.

"Sorry, I’m really sorry." She pulled out a wet tissue and handed it to him, not daring to meet Rhys’s gaze directly.

The moisture had dried naturally in the warmth of the carriage, but the touch Victoria had left seemed to be like feathers lightly brushing his heart, tickling and numbing.

He fixed his intense gaze on Victoria’s sharp chin, her rosy lips, his breathing growing gradually heavier.

Sinful thoughts began to form in his mind, a monster caged in his chest struggling to break free.

He wanted, wanted to slide his index finger into her lips, play with her soft, moist tongue...

The wet tissue Victoria handed over doused him like a cold shower, bringing him back to his senses.

Suppressing the desire in his eyes, he responded in a low voice, "It’s fine."

Victoria wished she could slap herself on the mouth. What was she even doing?

How did she suddenly bite into it?

It was just so embarrassing!

In a daze, she realized the scenery outside was becoming more and more unfamiliar before she asked, "Uh, where are we going?"

"Aeridor Sanatorium, I’ve arranged everything for Grandma in advance."

He answered unhurriedly, appearing completely unconcerned about the earlier incident.

This man’s efficiency is simply remarkable!

He made a call, and though he referred to the other party as ’Uncle’, Victoria could faintly hear the respectful tone from the person on the other end within the quiet cabin.

The sanatorium was located on Mount Cinder within Aeridor. Mist hung low, mountain springs flowed through bamboo groves, and even the air was filled with a fresh aroma.

The altitude was higher than the city, large flakes of snow drifted down the mountain, and the bamboo forest was covered with white snow.

In winter, it was bitterly cold outside, and people were scarce, yet everything was so meticulously detailed that Victoria couldn’t find a fault.

She wore a mask and hat, wrapping herself tightly as she was introduced to the sanatorium. Finally, she selected a spacious suite with a great view, offering seven-star hotel-like service.

Seated on the sofa, Victoria carefully reviewed the menu, activities, and medical introductions.

It was just her and Rhys left in the room, far from the city.

During winter, birds were scarce, and the sound of snow crashing down from the trees could be heard falling in the yard.

"I think it’s pretty good, Rhys, what do you think?"

Victoria looked up towards the man by the window. He gazed into the distance, his eyes shallow, as if the world itself held no interest for him.

The shadows of bamboo swayed behind him, making him seem detached and aloof, like a god unperturbed by worldly desires. He slowly turned to Victoria, his voice light, "If you think it’s good, then it is."

"Then I’ll go complete the formalities."

"No need, leave it to Assistant Woods."

Rhys glanced at the time, "If you’re not in a hurry, you could have a meal before leaving, just to try it out for Grandma. If it’s not suitable, we can communicate in advance."

He was truly attentive, and Victoria agreed with a smile.

In the hospital, Julian Fordham was with Grandma. As long as she wasn’t moved, it was fine. Even without her presence, Grandma had watched him grow up and would surely take care of her diligently.

Victoria walked towards the suite, "I’ll try out the bed and pillows to see if Grandma will be comfortable."

Rhys’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, "Okay."

The room descended into quiet once more, and as the meals were set out, there was no sound from Victoria.

Rhys gently knocked on the door but received no response.

He pushed the door open, seeing the woman lying on her side, sleeping peacefully.

The previous night, worried about Grandma and wary of Julian Fordham, she’d hardly slept.

But here, beside Rhys, she felt comfortable and safe. The room was warm, and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she dozed off.

The soft mattress gently cradled her body, and she nestled on the plush blanket like a little baby, eyes gently closed, her long, dense lashes casting a small, black arc.

Her arms wrapped around herself, curled up, looking serene.

Even with him so close, she hadn’t noticed, a testament to how exhausted she was.

Rhys sighed softly, lifting a corner of the blanket to gently cover her.

Without disturbing her, he let her sleep soundly.

When Victoria awoke, it was already late afternoon. She sat up in a start, wondering how she had fallen asleep.

The thin blanket slipped off her, and she realized she hadn’t covered herself before.

Watching the sky outside, she had already slept into the evening.

Rhys must have left by now.

Victoria opened the door, and the room was silent, save for the sound of turning pages.

She looked up, seeing Rhys lounging by the window with a book in hand, his long legs casually draped over the chair’s edge. His slight nod revealed a sliver of white at the back of his neck.

The black prayer beads hung from his wrist as his graceful, slender fingers leisurely turned the pages.

Every movement exuded an inherent elegance, unmatched by anyone else.

It was an elegance that others couldn’t imitate, a nobleness inherent from a lifetime of upbringing, pedigree, and status.

Even if he were hiding in a trash heap, he would still shine in her eyes.

"Awake?" He closed the book and looked up at her.

Victoria looked embarrassed, her voice hoarse from sleep, "Sorry, I..."

"Seems like this bed is quite comfortable. Grandma definitely won’t have insomnia." He easily diffused her embarrassment.

"Hungry? Wait a few minutes and have dinner before heading back to the hospital."

"Okay."

Victoria walked over to his side, curious about the book he was engrossed in, "What are you reading?"

She assumed it was a book on philosophy or finance.

He had finished college early at twenty, studying philosophy and finance.

As she leaned over and looked at the title, she was startled to see it was "365 Days of Spoiling Your Woman."

Victoria’s pupils dilated, her view of Rhys altered completely.

"So... this is the real you, Rhys Hawthorne."

The man didn’t show any distress from being caught and instead said calmly, "You can read ’How to Get Your Husband to Love You for Life’, but I can’t read ’365 Days of Loving Women’?"

He was so reasonable that Victoria Monroe was left speechless, and could only purse her lips and ask softly, "You still remember."

This was the book she was reading the first time they met four years ago.

The man’s eyes flickered slightly, "Yes, the title is quite unique."

Assistant Woods brought in the meal, breaking the awkwardness between the two.

Victoria was extremely hungry, but after a couple of bites, she began to retch.

The meal was a struggle for her; although very hungry, she didn’t eat much in the end.

She sucked on an anti-nausea lozenge, and only then did her churning stomach finally calm down a bit.

After the meal, they headed down the mountain, and Victoria thought of something, "Grandma might need to stay in the hospital for a few more days. I’ll go buy some clothes and toiletries for her. Just drop me off by the roadside; I’ll take a cab after shopping for a bit."

"The wind and snow are heavy today, it’s hard to get a cab. I’ll take you."

Seeing his insistence, Victoria didn’t refuse. His appearance was too eye-catching, and if they were spotted together, they’d surely make the headlines again.

Victoria had Rhys wait in the garage for a moment, and Rhys did not refuse.

Watching the little woman fully equipped get out of the car, he gave Assistant Woods a look.

Without needing instructions, Assistant Woods made an OK gesture to him, "I will make sure to protect Ms. Monroe."

After all, with Victoria being pregnant and her body weak, it would be dangerous if she fainted without someone nearby.

Assistant Woods followed from a distance, so as not to disturb Victoria.

Victoria picked out a couple of sets of clothes for the elderly and then headed to the sleepwear floor.

By coincidence, Rachel Hayes, accompanying Lana Jameson, appeared so vibrantly before her.

Victoria cursed her bad luck silently and didn’t bother acknowledging them, intending to buy a couple of comfy pajamas and leave.

However, as she passed them, she heard Lana Jameson’s voice: "Mom, doesn’t this look good on you?"

"Mom has a great figure, everything looks good on her."

"Tsk, you’re such a sweet talker, unlike that bitch, harsh and venomous. These clothes are really beautiful, but it’s a pity you can’t wear them while pregnant, or else you’d surely enchant Julian out of his mind."

Victoria’s steps halted; had Rachel’s child not been aborted?

Rachel said coyly, "Mom, don’t say that, it’s so embarrassing."

"What’s there to be embarrassed about? That bitch only relies on her good figure to seduce my son, but they’ve been together for so many years, my son is already tired of her. Don’t worry, as long as I’m around, the position of Mrs. Fordham is yours sooner or later."

Lana stroked Rachel’s belly, "Just give me a big, chubby grandson and you will be the biggest contributor to our Fordham family!"

...

Victoria didn’t know how she got down the stairs. Her phone vibrated; she received a photo sent by Rachel.

The last time Rachel sent a photo was of her holding Julian’s arm, and this time, it was her wearing sensual lingerie in a fitting room.

In the photo, she posed provocatively.

The caption read: [If I were you, I’d obediently get a divorce. What’s the point of clinging to a man whose heart is no longer with you?]

[Sister Victoria, Julian loves seeing me in black the most.]

Beside the trash can in the underground parking, Victoria retched endlessly.

She had vomited everything she’d eaten that afternoon, leaving her stomach in spasms.

The waves of stomach pain made her feel near death.

She knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.

So Julian had lied to her again.

He never intended to abort Rachel’s child.

To salvage this marriage, he’d lied through his teeth.

He deceived her, and he deceived Grandma too.

Previously, she chose to divorce not because she didn’t love this man, but because she couldn’t accept his actions.

Along with the problems revealed in their marriage, she felt it was best to dissolve their marriage and seek her own freedom.

She even thought that if they couldn’t be lovers, they could at least be friends.

But one thing after another, each incident was like a slap from Julian to her face.

She was too naive!

How could she be friends with a man who betrayed her?

There’s only severed ties between them! No more connections!

Julian claimed it was a test-tube baby, but maybe he’d been with someone else long before.

Thinking of his emphatic lies and betrayal, Victoria only felt as though her heart was being torn apart.

So painful, so cold.

Not a bit of warmth in her body.

When Rhys came over, he saw Victoria kneeling on the ground, crying like a child.

Excluding the time her grandmother had an accident, from the moment she decided on divorce to the day of the divorce application, she silently endured her fragility, cried in solitude, and then healed herself.

But today, her world had collapsed...

Rhys quickly walked up to her and offered her a handkerchief, "Are you okay?"

Victoria didn’t take it, her hands covering her face, unwilling to let others see her current wretchedness.

"Ms. Monroe, I know you’re feeling down, but the ground is cold. Let’s talk in the car."

"Rhys, please, don’t worry about me, I..."

Before Victoria could finish, Rhys bent over, lifting her into his arms.

Assistant Woods quickly picked up the clothes Victoria bought and rushed ahead to open the door.

Bending down to place her back in the car, just as Rhys sat down, Victoria threw herself into his arms.

Rhys loosely embraced her, as Victoria tightly clung to his neck, her hot tears sliding slowly down to his collarbone, as if they scorched his heart.

She cried in a trembling voice, "Rhys, I regret it..."

Rhys didn’t know what had happened, but he could guess it was surely related to Julian Fordham.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, "Hmm?"

Victoria, like an abandoned child, lifted her head, revealing her tear-soaked face, "I shouldn’t have married him."