Chapter 70

Her lips were trembling terribly. Lowering her gaze, she was listening to his fierce huff…and she needed him. She wanted to stay in his arms…she wanted him to hold her like he did before. She's tired of his fury and rough edges. She was so frail and…and wanted to faint in his arms. She was dying for his comfort and reassurance. But, there was no…

"Elodre!!" His roar sent chills down her spine and she jerked, her eyes flickering with terror. "What the hell are you sitting there for, huh?! What the hell are you doing there?!!" He huffed.

His voice is laced with raw fury. It was deep and frightening. The thunderous sound of his voice was tearing her nerves apart.

Furiously, he flung his briefcase away and groaned. So help her God, the briefcase almost hit her. It flew past her face and landed just by her trembling hands. Disheveling his hair aggressively, he paced around the room and Elodre couldn't help her grief. She was weeping. Gazing bewilderedly at him, tears blurred her eyes and she blinked.

She just wanted to run into his arms right now. She just wants to pour out her fear to him; to explain what really happened…to…tell him that she's innocent. She did nothing wrong. She wept as the vague memory of that night evoked in her aching head…and she was sure she'd die.

"I don't wanna see your damned face!! Elodre!!" He thundered, scowling at her. His shirt was damped with sweat as he trembled in rage. "I don't wanna see you! You're disgusting!! So fuckin disgusting!! You disgust me!!"

And Elodre was shuddering. Confusion was written all over her.

"Now sleep!!" He gesticulated violently. "Just cover your face!! Cover your fuckin face!!" He yelled between gritted teeth.

And Elodre had laid stiff on the bed, burying her damp face in the pillows. The pressure was pricking all over her. She was afraid he might storm to bed and beat her up. God, please don't let him hit me. She cried in prayer. Her body was twitching.

Damn!!! He cursed savagely. He's gone nuts already. How dare she cheat on him?!! She's just so daring!! So fuckin daring!!! "Elodre, I loved you!! I cared about you!!" He furiously beat his chest. "You didn't just see another man but you Elodre!!" Damn! He's going crazy right now. "You had someone else's son in my house, huh?!!! How dare you, Elodre!! Will you get your fuckin ass outta that bed and come here?!! Come here!!"

Elodre swallowed hard. Not again!! She cried. He's surely gonna kill her. Suddenly, she felt his long nails piercing her skin as he grabbed her right arm and tugged her out of the bed. She wailed in pain, all red with trauma. "Cayden…please…"

"Shut the fuck up!!" He shook her hard. "Shut up!!"

Her arm was bleeding.

His fierce glare was fixed on her face. "Now look at me!!"

She lifted her sad gaze upon him and he gasped in astonishment. Oh, my God!! Her face! Damn! No no no! He can't! He can't hurt her! Her innocent look has just melted his heart. Oh, his wife. The love of his life. He thought. It just hurts that he loves her still. The roughness of his grip lessened on her arm. He noticed her fright and how she was trembling below him.

Gazing down at her, he blew out heavily. "Elodre…" His voice was soft. Damn! Oh, my baby. Even though she's been with him, he's missed her so much. He missed the tenderness of her small body twisting under him. He couldn't help but notice her ruddy features. Assessing her, he noticed how red she'd turned.

As he raised his hands to cup her face, she flinched and he gasped. Damn! He'd forgotten she was afraid of him. Gently, he cupped her tiny face with one palm and took away the strands of her from her pale face. He noticed she was finding it hard to look at him. He was alarmed when he noticed some blood stains on his right-hand fingers. With shock glinting in his eyes, he rubbed his fingers against one another and then gazed at her with wide eyes. "D…did I hurt you?"

"Y…yes," She nodded slightly.

"Oh my God!" He said. God knows he never noticed that he'd injured her. "Where?"

Trembling, she lifted her right arm and he saw the bruises with blood. "Oh!" He gasped. He gently took her arm and rubbed the blood with his fingers and she winced in pain. "How did I do this?"

"It…it was when you pulled me out of bed." She whimpered.

"When I pulled your arm?" He said softly and gazed compassionately at her. "I didn't know." Thank goodness it's not deep. Just bruises.

This surprised her. This man is virtue itself. She knows he doesn't really hate her. He is just mad at her.

"Have you had dinner?" He asked, gazing down at her. He's just so mad, he's not been looking after his wife. Damn! "Have you?"

With a lowered gaze, she shook her head slightly.

"You've not eaten?" He gasped "Why? Did Jasmine starve you?!" He looked scared. "Tell me. Did she? I swear the fuck I'm gonna kill her with my bare hands."

"N…no," She glanced at him.

"Then what happened?" He asked, still cupping her face.

"I…I didn't have an appetite." She quivered.

"You didn't have an appetite?" He assessed her whole body closely. Damn! She looked like death warmed up. She's so pale. "Are you under the weather?"

"A…a…little bit," She stuttered.

Oh damn! He sighed. "Have you taken medication?"

She shook her head and he blew out heavily. What if he'd hit her out of anger like he could have done? He wondered. "You shouldn't starve. What would you like for dinner?"

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Jasmine was still in the kitchen when Cayden walked in and she hurried nervously to him. "M…Mr. Brooks, I'm so sorry, I…"

"Why didn't my wife eat?" He asked sternly. "Has she been starving?"

"Not at all Mr. Brooks," Jasmine said. "Sh…she said she didn't have an appetite…and…"

"It's okay, it's okay," He patted her back to calm her down. "What did you prepare for her?"

"Tata tots and some tea," She said. "Is she ready to eat now?"

"Yeah, but no worries," He said. "Lemme have it."

She gasped. "Oh, no, Mr. Brooks, I'd serve her myself."

"Jasmine, I insist," He smiled. "Go to bed, please."

Curiously, she placed the tray of food and drinks on his palm.

"So, how's your arm now?" He asked.

With a smile, she said, "I feel much better, Mr. Brooks!"

"Good," He nodded slightly. "Please, go to bed, Jasmine."

"The…the dishes…"

"Go to bed," He instructed. "Now, Jasmine."

"Alright, Mr. Brooks," She bowed and walked out of the kitchen. "G…good night, Mr. Books!"

"Good night, Jasmine," He said as he watched her walk nervously up the stairs.

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He entered the room and pushed the door shut with one leg. He was still in his work clothes and shoes. After placing the tray on the table, he said, "Come here, Elodre,"