His long, elegant fingers tilted Emma Johnson's chin upward, forcing her to meet her own reflection.
"Emma, no one in this world can irritate me quite like you do."
What was he implying?
Where had this anger come from? Emma stared at Liam Williams, utterly confused. Before she could react, he leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. A sharp pain shot through her lower lip as he pried her mouth open, his kiss fierce and demanding.
She pounded her fists against his chest, but her efforts were useless—like a feather against stone. It only seemed to fuel his desire. Liam scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed, ignoring her struggles.
Emma fought back at first, but she was no match for his strength. He was genuinely furious, his movements rough and relentless. She had no choice but to endure. This is fine, she told herself. Consider it payment for him saving me tonight.
It wasn't as if this was their first time. And she hadn't felt anything anyway. Emma thought she was shameless—she had sworn to keep her distance from him, yet here she was, tangled up with him again. A fire seemed to burn in her chest, making her heart ache.
She turned her head to look out the window. The curtains were open, and moonlight spilled into the dark room. She couldn't tell if this was all just a dream.
Liam kissed her delicate collarbone, then bit down. Emma winced and turned to look at him. In the pale moonlight, his handsome face looked like the finest wine, intoxicating and irresistible.
"You're distracted."
His low voice whispered in her ear before he pulled her closer, starting another round of fierce demands. Her injured arm throbbed, but he didn't seem to care. He pulled her into his world, carrying her along with him, until she drowned in the ambiguous night.
The next morning, she was jolted awake by the alarm on her nightstand. Before she could even open her eyes, a long arm reached over her, grabbed the clock, and quickly silenced it. The loud music finally stopped.
She blinked and looked at the man getting out of bed beside her. Slowly, she came to her senses. So last night hadn't been a dream. He had actually stayed in the apartment.
She watched his athletic body, bare and perfect like a Greek god's statue. Emma quickly shut her eyes again, unsure how to face him.
When she heard the door close, she slowly opened her eyes again. It took her a few minutes to finally get up.
She tidied her bedroom before heading out. By then, Liam had finished his shower, put on his pajamas, and was making breakfast in the kitchen. Emma looked at this once-familiar scene, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. In the end, she said nothing and just went to the bathroom to wash up.
Even after last night's intimacy, everything seemed to have returned to normal by morning. The only difference was that Liam rarely cooked breakfast himself.
Looking at the bowl of tomato and egg noodle soup in front of her, Emma told herself it was just a coincidence. After all, Liam had to eat too. She was just getting some by chance.
After breakfast, Emma planned to drive to the company.
"Get in my car."
Liam didn't give her a chance to argue. His tone was commanding. Emma wanted to refuse, but remembering the consequences of his anger, she finally gave in.
Fine. At least I don't have to drive.
It had been days since they last rode to work together. When the employees saw the CEO and his wife walking in together, they were shocked. They couldn't help but wonder if the CEO's wife had done something to win back his favor.
The gossip mill ran wild all morning. Even the Planning Department, which had been watching the news, didn't dare raise any objections to Emma's plans. When Emma showed up at the company cafeteria at noon, everyone felt like something was off.
They just couldn't understand the CEO's attitude toward his wife. If she was back in his good graces, why would he let her eat in the employee cafeteria? But if she wasn't, why had he personally driven her to work?
It had become the company's biggest mystery, fueling everyone's gossip. They all thought that the marriages of the rich were far too complicated for ordinary people to understand.
"Sister Wei, why are you eating in the cafeteria again?"
Emilia Clark looked at Emma, puzzled.
"I think the food here is good."
Emma was half-telling the truth. The other half, she kept to herself. Today, Amelia White had brought a lunchbox. Although there was plenty of food, Emma felt like an outsider watching Liam and Amelia eat on the sofa.
Her relationship with Liam hadn't improved much because of last night. She wanted him to offer to drive her, but she was afraid of humiliating herself again.
So she had left the office and chosen to eat with Emilia in the cafeteria.
"I saw Miss Amelia carrying a big lunchbox. The three of you should have had enough to eat."
Emilia studied Emma's face.
"Amelia prepared it for her brother. There wasn't anything I liked, so the cafeteria has more options."
Emma forced a smile.
"I see."
Emilia didn't miss the flicker of sadness in Emma's eyes. A faint smile crossed her lips, like a shooting star, before disappearing when Emma turned to talk about the cafeteria dishes.
...
"Brother, why didn't you come home yesterday? I waited for you for so long. I called you, but you didn't answer for ages. What happened? I was drinking tea in the living room, and then you suddenly got up and left."
After dinner, Amelia spoke to Liam in a coquettish tone.
"I had something to deal with last night. It was too late by the time I finished, so I didn't come back."
That was the explanation Liam gave Amelia. He didn't tell her what had happened. The details were too bloody, and he didn't want Amelia to misunderstand Emma.