Chapter 104 Chapter 104
After long minutes of hesitation, he picked up his cell phone and dialed.
The call was answered on the second ring.
A male voice, heavy with sleep and provocation, sounded on the other end:
— Man... back in the day, when you had no sex life, I could understand these late-night calls. But now you're a married man. Why are you wasting this precious nighttime with me instead of being in bed with your wife?“
Hiago laughed, the sound crackling over the line.
”Did something happen? Did the big Wolf fail at the crucial moment? If so, you called the right expert."
Nicholas's expression darkened.
“If you continue with that foul mouth,” Nicholas said, his voice cold and calm, “I will visit your father tomorrow in person. I think he would love to be reminded to schedule your arranged marriage.
”... Damn it!
Hiago choked on the other end.
“All right, all right! I was just joking, Nicholas. No need to be so vindictive! So... what's so urgent that you had to get me out of bed at this hour?”
Hiago's voice became a little more serious, though still curious.
“Spit it out. If it's something I can help with... you know I'll walk through hell, climb mountains, slay a dragon...”
“Shut up.”
“... Wow, so aggressive. You called me because you missed me, admit it?”
“I have something to ask.”
“... I'm all ears.”
Nicholas hesitated. His fingers tightened around the crystal glass. He looked out into the darkness, choosing his words carefully.
“If you made a serious mistake... unintentionally... and deeply hurt someone... how would you redeem yourself?”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Hiago sensed the gravity in his friend's voice.
“It depends,” Hiago replied cautiously. “What was the mistake?”
Nicholas frowned impatiently. “The ‘what’ doesn't matter. Just answer.”
“Man, that's hard...” Hiago sighed. “How can I give strategic advice when I'm in the dark? But as a general rule: if you want to make it up to someone, you need to find out what that person wants most. Just... give them what they want. Make their wishes come true.”
“Give them what they want?” Nicholas repeated, thoughtfully.
“Exactly. And let's face it, Nicholas, you have the world at your fingertips. You can give anyone whatever they want.” Hiago paused, and his playful tone returned. “But I'm dying of curiosity... who is the person capable of upsetting Nicholas Wolf so much?” It has something to do with your sister-in-law, doesn't it?
“None of your business. Bye.”
Without waiting for a reply, Nicholas ended the call and threw his cell phone on the glass table.
(...)
Two hours later.
Nicholas remained in his office, immersed in cigarette smoke and thoughts, until the smell of tobacco bothered him. He knew Caroline wouldn't like it.
He took a long shower in the guest bathroom to wash away any trace of the smell before returning to the master bedroom.
When he entered, the room was silent.
Only a yellow lamp was lit, creating a sanctuary-like atmosphere.
In the huge bed with black silk sheets, Caroline looked tiny. She was curled up in a corner, hugging her pillow, breathing softly.
Nicholas tiptoed in, as if he were invading a sacred temple.
He stopped beside the bed, watching her.
The warm light highlighted the soft curve of her cheek and the long lashes that cast shadows on her porcelain skin. She slept so peacefully, so innocently... she looked like a Renaissance painting come to life.
She was, in fact, painfully beautiful.
Nicholas's mind traveled back to that night. The first time he saw her.
He remembered it vividly. The blood-red dress contrasting with her pale skin. She was curled up in a cold bathtub, trying to escape the heat of the drug in her system.
When she lifted those doe eyes to him—full of fear, innocence, and an involuntary desire—something inside Nicholas broke. And something new awoke.
A primitive desire to possess her. To intimidate her. To mark her.
And that's what he did.
He took her all night long, without mercy.
She had been drugged, yes. But looking back now... it seemed that he was the one under the influence of some narcotic. The desire he felt for her was overwhelming, uncontrollable, almost violent in its intensity.
At the time, he didn't know he would become an addict.
And she was his drug. An addiction he couldn't—and didn't want to—get rid of.
Originally, another woman was supposed to be in that room. But fate, in its cruel and wonderful irony, put Caroline in his path. An accident, a switch, a coincidence...
For Nicholas, it was no coincidence. It was predestination.
Fate had decided she would be his.
As he looked at the sleeping figure, the guilt in his chest turned into a dark determination.
Did she hate the man from that night? That was fine.
He would make up for it. He would give her the world, he would make all her dreams come true, he would make her the happiest woman on Earth.
But he would never let her go.
Regardless of how she reacted if she ever discovered the truth, the result would be the same: Caroline was his woman. She belonged to Nicholas Wolf, and no one else.
With calculated movements, he lifted the comforter and lay down on the other side of the bed, filling the void beside her.
As soon as his body touched the mattress, the need for contact spoke louder.
He extended his strong arm and, careful not to wake her, pulled her small, warm body close to him.
She came without resistance, instinctively nestling against him.
Her scent enveloped him immediately.
She had just showered. Her skin exuded a natural, intoxicating fragrance—a mixture of honey, fresh peach, and a soft floral touch.
It was the smell of home.
Nicholas' tense body, which had been on high alert for the past few hours, relaxed instantly. The chaos in his mind fell silent.
Holding her was the only cure for his insomnia.
He sighed, finally feeling at peace.
Nicholas brushed his lips against the top of her head, inhaling deeply that addictive scent, and whispered into the darkness:
“Good night, my love. I'll take care of everything tomorrow.”