Chapter 22
As Myra opened the door to the mansion, Greta’s voice rang out from the hallway. “You’re finally back, Young Mistress Myra! When Madam called you last night, your phone was off. Mr. Chase searched for you all night, and he just returned to his study not long ago. They were both so worried about you! Madam didn’t go upstairs until three this morning.”
A pang of guilt struck Myra at the news. “Last night, I… stayed at a friend’s place, and my phone died, so I missed their calls,” she explained, though in reality, she couldn’t exactly tell them the truth about where she had been. At Tony’s place.
Greta nodded knowingly, handing Myra a thin blanket. She winked and said, “I saw Mr. Chase asleep in the study just now. I brought a blanket for him so he wouldn’t catch a cold. Now that you’re back, you can give it to him.”
Holding the blanket in her hands, Myra froze for a moment. She knew Greta meant well, always trying to encourage her to get closer to Sean, but Myra had been letting them down for the past two years. Greta flashed her an encouraging smile before turning to head to the kitchen.
A slight smile tugged at Myra’s lips as she looked at the blanket. If a mere blanket can make him come back to me, why have I been suffering so much for the last two years?
Greta’s words echoed in her mind that Sean had been searching for her all night. Myra felt a mix of warmth and pain spread through her chest. She couldn’t harden her heart. With a sigh, she grabbed the blanket tightly and headed upstairs to the study.
The door was ajar, so she gently pushed it open. In the reception area, she saw Sean. It seemed like he had fallen asleep from exhaustion, his suit half-done up, only the first button of his shirt undone as he rested on the couch. His right hand was pressed over his eyes, masking the usual coldness he carried. Only when he’s asleep, I don’t fear his harsh words.
Her thoughts drifted back to university. She remembered how she often went to the library with Estelle, and during finals, it was packed with students. In the corner, she had spotted a young man asleep at a large table. He had looked so carefree amidst the stressed atmosphere. When he lazily turned over, she had seen his face and her breath had caught. Sean Chase.
The memories of him were painful, but she couldn’t help but recall them—memories that were now the source of her heartbreak.
Kneeling down by the rug, Myra gently spread the blanket over Sean. But as her hand moved closer to him, something caught her eye. The sight made her freeze. Her gaze fell on his chest where there were clear signs of amorous activity—marks that stood out like a glaring reminder of the night before.
As her eyes traveled up, she saw words around the collar of his shirt. I know you will see this. Her expression faltered, and she staggered back, landing on the ground. The small hope she had held onto was gone, crushed once again.
Why do I still think he has feelings for me?
The blanket had fallen across his body. The slight movement caused Sean to stir. He frowned, his eyes flickering open, dark and angry. Myra tried to turn away, but her legs felt like they were made of lead, unwilling to obey her commands.
“Greta asked me to bring this to you,” she said, her voice hoarse, as she looked at him with a dark expression.
Sean’s brows knitted tightly. He threw the blanket aside and stood, towering over her. When his eyes narrowed at her, his voice was colder than before. “Where were you last night?”
Myra’s pulse quickened, and she clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Her breath caught, but she gathered her strength, standing slowly. “I don’t think I need to report my whereabouts to you.”
A hint of irritation flashed in Sean’s eyes. The annoyance he usually felt when he was around Elsie seemed to return in full force. “I’ve broken up with Eris and Elsie.”
Myra’s expression froze, but she couldn’t stop herself from letting out a bitter, self-mocking smile. “So what?” she muttered, her voice barely audible. “Without Eris or Elsie, there will be others.” She turned away slightly, her heart growing colder with each passing second.
The pain from the past two years of being pushed aside, of having her love trampled upon, made her heart ache even more.
Sean stepped closer to her, his presence overwhelming. She could feel the heat from his body, the familiar scent of him as his shadow fell over her. Before she could even react, he pulled her into his arms, his lips crashing onto hers without hesitation.
The kiss was fierce, needy. Sean’s hands roamed over her body, and Myra felt his urgency. His shirt, half undone, revealed the lingering red stains from his night with another woman. The sight of them burned in her mind, reminding her of his betrayal.
As his lips moved urgently against hers, Myra’s stomach turned. The memory of the other woman made her feel disgusted, and she struggled against him. “You—ugh! Let go of me!”
She turned her head, trying to escape the kiss, but he pulled her back, his hands forcing her into a position where he could dominate her. Her jacket was pulled down, exposing her shoulders. The room was silent except for their breathing, and in the reflection of a glass cabinet nearby, Myra could see the helplessness in her own eyes.
She pushed him away with all her strength, her face contorted in agony. “Sean Chase, don’t you find this disgusting? Don’t kiss me with the mouth you’ve kissed other women!”
The room seemed to freeze. His expression darkened, his features hardening. He let out a low chuckle, but there was no warmth in it. “Disgusting?” he asked, his voice cold. “Myra, do you really think I’m disgusting? Or is it that you’ve been waiting for my kiss all along?”
His words hit her like a slap, and a rush of embarrassment and shame flooded her face. Of course I’ve wanted it, she thought, How could I not?
But now, it didn’t matter. She had learned the hard way that no matter how much she tried, no matter how deep her love went, Sean would never appreciate it. He didn’t love her. He never would.
“I think I really want to sleep with you?” Myra’s voice trembled as she spoke, the weight of her own feelings crashing down on her.