Chapter 119 Chapter 119
Caroline shrugged, wanting to disappear. “I... I had to say something! Sara was suspicious. I couldn't tell her we got married for a contract...”
“You did the right thing.” He held her chin, forcing her to look at him.
To Caroline's surprise, he wasn't mocking her. His expression was serious and intense.
“You didn't lie, Caroline.” He traced the outline of her lips with his thumb. “I'm obsessed with you. And I don't intend to cure myself of this obsession anytime soon.”
Caroline's heart raced again.
“Now...” He smiled, changing the mood. “Drink the rest.”
You need energy. After all, you have an audition tomorrow, don't you?
Caroline blinked in surprise. “How did you know?”
“Do you think I don't pay attention to you?” He picked up the bowl again. “Drink up. Then we'll rehearse. I want to see my wife shine tomorrow.”
Caroline looked at him, feeling a wave of heat that had nothing to do with the brown sugar water.
Had he overheard her conversation with Tania? Or did he just know everything?
It didn't matter. The fact was, he was there, taking care of her, defending her, and supporting her dreams.
Maybe... just maybe... the lie she told Sara was coming true.
“Huh?” Sara froze, her mouth hanging open in a perfect “O.”
Nicholas sat quietly on the edge of the bed, stirring the dark water in the bowl with a silver spoon. He didn't look at his sister-in-law right away; instead, he fixed his deep, amused eyes on Caroline's flushed face.
“Your sister is right,” he repeated, his voice deep and provocative. “I really fell in love with her the moment I saw her. Then I loved her so much that I lost control. I was afraid she would be won over by another man, so... I had to strike first to secure my advantage.”
Caroline was startled. Her heart skipped a beat.
Although she knew he was only “helping” her maintain the lie, the intensity in his voice was so real that it made her dizzy. She was so embarrassed that she couldn't even lift her eyes to look at him.
“Besides...”
Nicholas paused dramatically and finally turned to Sara, who looked as if she wanted to disappear into the wall.
“As for your medical concerns, sister-in-law...” A sly smile curved his lips. “I can assure you that I am in excellent health. All my functions... operate at full capacity. I have no dysfunctions.”
He tilted his head defiantly.
“You don't need to worry that your sister will live an ‘unsatisfactory’ life with me.” If you still have doubts, I can provide a detailed medical report right now. That way, you both can sleep peacefully.
Sara's beautiful, delicate face exploded into a bright red.
At that moment, she wished she had the superpower to teleport herself to another galaxy.
She was mortified!
Her brother-in-law had heard everything! Absolutely everything!
Sara wasn't one to gossip, but her concern for her sister's happiness (and sex life) had made her talk too much. She thought that, with so many good qualities, Nicholas had to have some serious flaw to get married so quickly.
But now, their “secret” had been discovered by the very object of their gossip. Sara felt like a child caught stealing candy.
“Brother-in-law, I... I'm sorry!” she stammered, biting her lip in embarrassment.
With her eyes downcast and her cheeks flushed, Sara looked like a frightened little rabbit.
Nicholas found the scene amusing. They really were sisters; even their expressions of panic were identical.
“I'm not blaming you.” Nicholas's voice softened, losing its teasing tone. “You have these concerns because you love your sister. I'm glad to see you two are so close.” He paused and added seriously, “But I'm serious about the physical exam. If you need proof...”
“No! You don't!” Sara waved her hands frantically, desperate to end the conversation.
She looked at the door as if it were the emergency exit of a crashing plane.
“Um... brother-in-law, sister... I still have some bags to unpack! Yes, lots of bags! I'm... I'm going!”
She took quick steps backward.
“Ahem, ahem! Your brother-in-law has arrived, I'm not needed here. Let him take good care of you, sister! Bye!”
And with that, she turned on her heels and bolted out of the room like lightning.
In a few seconds, Sara's slim figure disappeared down the hallway. She closed the door with a soft, careful click, leaving the couple alone.
Seeing her sister flee so brazenly, Caroline was speechless.
That traitor! She ran away to save her own skin and left her alone with the “wolf”!
...
Silence reigned in the room for a moment.
“Your sister cares about you very much,” Nicholas commented calmly.
He took a spoonful of the brown sugar water, blew lightly to cool it, and tested the temperature on his own lips. Satisfied, he brought the spoon to Caroline's mouth.
“Drink it while it's warm. Does your stomach still hurt? Do you want me to call the doctor now?”
Caroline was still burning with embarrassment over the “dysfunction” incident, but fortunately, Nicholas had the decency not to bring it up again.
She felt her face cool a little, but her heart was still beating fast.
Obediently, she opened her mouth and drank. The sweet, hot liquid went down her throat, warming her.
“Slowly...” he murmured.
Perhaps because she was nervous about being fed by him, or because she was in a hurry to get it over with, Caroline took too big a sip and choked.
“Cough! Cough!”
Nicholas immediately put down the bowl and patted her back lightly and rhythmically, his forehead furrowed in affectionate disapproval.
“Why the rush? No one's going to take this away from you.”
After coughing for a while, Caroline caught her breath.
Her eyes were filled with physiological tears from the effort of coughing. She lifted her face, her nose red and her eyes moist, looking incredibly fragile and hurt.
Nicholas stopped.
Seeing those teary eyes, something tightened inside his chest. An irrational panic struck him.
He reached out, brushing the sweaty fringe from her forehead with reverent gentleness.
“Love?” he called, his voice low and tense.
Caroline blinked, and a heavy tear rolled down, blurring her vision.
She wasn't just crying because of the cough.
Suddenly, the emotion of it all—his care, the shame, the relief, the comparison to the loneliness of the past—overflowed.
Nicholas frowned, his deep eyes darkening with fierce concern. He cupped her face in his hands.
“Why are you suddenly crying?”
His voice was dangerous, like that of a king ready to declare war.
“Who intimidated you? Was it me? Or was it someone out there?”
He needed to know. Because whoever had made his wife cry would pay dearly.