Jayson came out of the bathroom with only a towel around his waist and walked to the wardrobe to grab a set of casual clothes. Sidney lay on the bed, her eyes half-closed as she stole a glance at him. She noticed that the tattoo on his back wasn't of a dragon or a phoenix, but a cluster of grotesque, bloodshot-eyed demons with sharp fangs. Their twisted faces were contorted in fierce, snarling expressions, and from their heads sprouted strange, unnatural horns. The sight was chilling. Surrounding these demons was something she couldn't quite decipher—vines that seemed to writhe like living things, or smoke that curled and swirled, almost as if it had a life of its own. It was unsettling, like something from a nightmare. To be fair, the tattoo didn't make Jayson look rough or unruly. His strong, sculpted back and handsome features only made the ink seem to add an air of mystery, as if it enhanced his allure rather than detracting from it." Jayson ran his fingers through his hair, applied some lotion to his face, walked to the bedside, glanced at Sidney, and let out a soft laugh. He climbed into bed, lifted the blanket, and without waiting for her to react, pulled open the front of her pajamas to peek inside, clicking his tongue. Sidney instantly opened her eyes and defensively stared at Jayson. Jayson released his grip and lay down next to her, coldly saying, "You think that just because you're dressed like this, I won't want to get closer to you?"
"…"
"It's been a month since the six-month deadline passed," Jayson said, resting his hands behind his head, speaking as if to himself.
Sidney lay on her back, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Take your clothes off. All of them."
Sidney inhaled sharply, remaining completely still. Jayson turned his head to look at her.
"Jayson, you said I can't restrict your life, including your relationships with other women, right?"
"Is there a problem?" Jayson said, raising an eyebrow, indicating for her to continue.
"Then why are you restricting my life?" Sidney finished speaking and turned to look at him.
Jayson curled the corner of his lips, stared at her for a moment, and then said, "Didn't I say that I don't like women who talk too much?"
"I don't usually talk much either. Just answer me this one small question."
"I've already said, ever since I can remember, the women of the Nixon family have always been taken care of this way. You're just following the same pattern."
"Then can I break this pattern? I want to go out and work."
"Why do you want to go work?"
"I'm stuck at home all day with nothing to do, it's so boring. I just want to go out and work."
"You can go out shopping."
"I'm not the type of woman who spends all day shopping, and I don't want a bunch of bodyguards following me everywhere, even to the bathroom! It's so embarrassing!"
"You'll get used to it after a while. It's for your own good."
"…"
"Are you going to take it off or not?" Jayson said impatiently.
"I don't want to."
Jayson looked at Sidney with an expression of disbelief. Sidney thought that she was probably finished after saying that, but to her surprise, Jayson didn't get angry. He just continued to look at her with a look of disdain.
"I can't accept that my husband has other women outside, and then I have to bend over backward and obey his orders to strip."
"Sharp-tongued."
"I'm just speaking my mind."
"So what? Are you going to interfere with my relationships with other women now?"
"I won't interfere with you, so please don't force me."
"Don't forget our agreement, six months."
"I know, but I can't do it right now. Can you give me a little more time?" She decided to use a delay tactic; one more day was better than nothing.
"Aren't you afraid that I'll get angry now and deal with you immediately?" Jayson's voice showed a bit of anger.
"If I'm not willing, and you force me, wouldn't that be considered rape? Does a man like you, Mr. Nixon, need to do something like that?" Sidney said, gathering her courage.
Jayson let out a sigh and after a pause, said, "You're just trying to drag this out, waiting for the six months to pass, and then telling me you can't have children and want a divorce, right?"
Sidney knew Jayson was smart, but she hadn't expected him to figure out what she was thinking so quickly, and she was a little surprised.
"That's not the case."
"Clearly it is! Don't think I don't know what you're up to." Jayson suddenly became very cold, and his gaze made Sidney feel scared, as though her life was in danger at any moment.
"I just hope our relationship is based on equality."
"Equality? You're talking to me about equality? Haha! The moment your father showed up in my office with your information, you were already unequal to me! What qualifications do you have to talk about equality? Do you know that your father's company is on the brink of collapse, and now he's just waiting for me to give him a resort contract to help him make a comeback? And you're talking to me about equality?" Even though he was lying down, Jayson's gaze was sharp, like a knife, making Sidney feel as though he could kill her at any moment.
At this point, Sidney knew she couldn't win against him in a verbal fight. No matter what, she was the one who needed something from him. Trying to have a proper conversation between them was nothing but a pipe dream.
Sidney suddenly sat up, facing Jayson. She quickly took off her nightgown, unbuttoned her bra, and tossed it aside. Then, she bent her legs to take off her panties, sitting quietly as though she were a piece of slaughtered meat waiting for him to make his move.
"Tsk! Whether you take it off early or late, you'll still have to take it off, no need to talk so much!" Jayson lifted his face, still speaking coldly. He maintained his position, resting on his arm, and extended a finger, tracing from the hollow of her collarbone all the way down to her chest, moving back and forth along the edge of her breast.
Sidney felt goosebumps all over her body and began to tremble slightly. Jayson's finger felt like electricity, and where it slid, it was uncomfortable yet hot and tingling.
"You think... I like you that much? I'm only giving you a few extra looks because of your body. Everything you have, all the other women have, it's nothing special. Don't think you're so rare," Jayson said, poking her with his finger.
"…"
He suddenly grabbed her chest and squeezed it roughly. She didn't feel desire, only humiliation.
"A man like you doesn't know how to appreciate women. Do you think any woman would love you? It's just for your money! Pathetic!" Sidney, humiliated, couldn't help but blurt it out.
