Because her hand was injured, Mrs. Palmer insisted that Rhianna stay for dinner.
It was Mrs. Palmer's birthday, and Rhianna wanted to spend the day with her. But staying too late would mean spending the night at the Palmer house, and given her strained relationship with Rylee, she wanted to avoid being alone with him. Every time she tried to mention leaving, Mrs. Palmer would somehow change the topic.
After dinner, Rhianna was ready to leave, planning to spend the next day resting at her rented apartment and preparing for her new drama cameo.
As she sat on the sofa about to get up, Mrs. Williams brought two bowls of freshly made tonic. "Madam, this is specially prepared for you by Mrs Palmer."
Rhianna only wanted to finish quickly and leave. She thanked Mrs. Williams, took the bowl without looking, and started drinking.
Once she finished, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.
Fortunately, Rylee was quick to catch her again. Being this close to him made Rhianna instinctively try to pull herself together and move away from his embrace.
"Rylee, I'm tired today. You and Rhianna should go upstairs and rest too," Mrs. Palmer said.
"…Mom, I…" Rhianna started to explain.
Rylee leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Do you think Mom will let us go if we don't sleep in one room?"
Rylee's voice was soft, but it sent shivers down Rhianna's spine, making her heart race.
When Rhianna found herself sitting on Rylee's large bed in his room, she was still in a daze.
On the bed were the pajamas Mrs. Palmer had thoughtfully prepared for her.
Outside, the night deepened.
She felt exhausted and dizzy. Even though it wasn't the height of summer, the air conditioning made the room cool, yet Rhianna felt a wave of heat.
Perhaps she should take a shower. She saw Rylee standing by the bookshelf, reading something. Without a word, she grabbed the pajamas and walked to the bathroom, feeling more resigned than ever.
The room was unusually quiet.
Rylee could only hear the sound of water from the bathroom. Although he was holding a book, he couldn't focus on a single word.
He suspected the tonic he drank contained something, making him unusually restless, as if something inside him was trying to break free.
It is desire.
Rhianna wore the pajamas Mrs. Palmer had prepared. The design was simple but made of high-quality silk and lace. The white camisole and lace trimmings were exquisite.
The size fit perfectly, covering just enough to leave her modest, yet exposing enough to hint at her curves.
In the mirror, the girl's red lips, white teeth, and black hair against her shoulders made her skin look even more delicate after the shower. But Rhianna knew Rylee wasn't interested in her.
Still, when Rhianna opened the bathroom door and saw Rylee leaning against the bed, her breath caught.
Rylee had taken off his suit and was wearing a custom white shirt with the collar undone, giving him a relaxed look. His long legs were stretched out as he leaned against the bed, resting with his eyes closed.
Rhianna was truly tired. She walked to the other side of the bed, lifted the blanket, and curled up in a corner.
She didn't ask Rylee where he wanted to sleep. She wanted to rest during her rare break.
Rylee opened his eyes and saw a small bump in the blanket on the other side of the bed. This girl had been very quiet today.
She seemed to have changed a lot.
Perhaps she was angry with him, Rylee thought.
Leaving her alone on their wedding night, she must hate him.
Rylee felt the person beside him breathing steadily, indicating she was asleep.
She lay far from him, even though the bed was large. She must be really angry.
Rylee admitted that Rhianna hadn't looked him in the eye all day.
In the past, she would always call him "My Rylee" enthusiastically. However, he had been cold to her for so many years. Even though they were married, she probably saw it as a forced decision on his part.
The more he thought about it, the more restless he became. Rylee closed his eyes, but his mind was filled with images of her.
Rylee decided to cool off in the bathroom.
Cold water streamed down his body, but Rhianna didn't understand that extreme cold could have the opposite effect. Some people's apparent indifference masked a fire that couldn't be extinguished.
After the cold shower, Rylee calmed his desires. He wrapped a towel around his waist and sat on the bed.
Rhianna was sound asleep. She had naturally moved further into the bed. Her fair skin, black hair, and delicate features made her look like a doll. Her thick eyelashes curled slightly, and her skin was smoother than the finest silk under the silk blanket.
As Rylee realized it, he found himself touching her naturally rosy cheek.
Very gently, so as not to wake her.
His hand lightly caressed her face.
It felt the same as he remembered, soft and resilient. Many years ago, on a summer afternoon, he had touched the same forbidden fruit.
