Chapter 81 Breaking the Barrier
Evelyn quickly covered her mouth. “I still have to study tonight…” she mumbled.
Roman gently pried her hand away.
“Baby, you’ve worked enough already,” he whispered, his voice soft, warm, grounding. “You’ve been through so much—the hospital, the stress, my father, Lena’s father… all of it.” He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. “Let me take care of you tonight.”
Her heart skipped. “I—”
His lips brushed her forehead. “You can conquer the corporate world anytime. But tonight?” He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes.
“Tonight, I want all of you.”
Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat.
She opened her mouth to protest, to remind him of her responsibilities, her studies… but before she could, her arms rose instinctively to wrap around his neck.
“Fine,” she whispered. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
Roman’s smile was slow, satisfied, utterly devastating.
“Good answer.”
He leaned down again, and in that moment, everything else faded.
—-
Much later, Evelyn lay curled against his chest, her body pleasantly exhausted, her mind blissfully empty.
Roman’s fingers traced lazy patterns over her bare shoulder.
"Roman," she murmured sleepily. "Why didn't you let me pleasure you too?"
He smiled against her hair. "You just came back from the hospital. You need to rest.”
“But you’re letting me go to work tomorrow…” she pressed, half-playful.
“You assumed too quickly,” he replied, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “I want you to rest roperly.”
She was quiet for a moment.
"Roman," Her fingers grazed his chest. "What if my decisions at the company leave it bankrupt?”
"Then we'll go poor together.” Roman said casually.
Evelyn laughed, pinching his side lightly. His chuckle vibrated through his chest, and she smiled against him.
“I seriously doubt that,” she said, teasing. “From what the media says, your net worth could rival a small country. A company won’t make us broke.”
“You can’t trust the media,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I've seen enough myself." She smiled against his skin. "Are you trying to hide your real net worth from me?"
"Do you want me to give you all the documents to my assets?"
"Well, you can." She laughed jokingly, the sound soft and content.
Her laughter faded, and silence settled over them. Roman remained still, staring at her face in the dim light.
He wanted her, desperately. He wished he could be intimate with her in every way possible. But he was afraid to touch her.
Even though she had healed medically, he didn't think so.
He traced her delicate features with his eyes. She might not feel anything because she didn't know about the miscarriage. But that weight still sat heavy in his chest, pressing down with every beat of his heart.
‘It was my fault for not taking care of you properly.’
He swallowed the lump in his throat.
‘So I'll carry the guilt and weight for both of us.’
A sad smile touched his lips.
‘For the child we never got to know.’
Evelyn shifted in her sleep, her leg accidentally brushing against him.
He groaned loudly.
She mumbled incoherent words before drifting back to sleep.
Roman sighed. He couldn't help but press one last kiss to her forehead before carefully extracting himself from the bed and heading to the bathroom.
Minutes later, the sound of running water filled the silence.
Evelyn's eyes slowly opened.
She stared at the bathroom door, the dim light spilling from beneath it.
What is wrong with Roman?
The thought circled in her tired mind before her eyelids grew heavy again, pulling her back under.
—-
Contrary to what she expected, the next morning, Roman didn't allow her to go to the company immediately.
She walked downstairs to find him setting dishes on the dining table. No servants in sight. She immediately understood—he must have sent them away again, wanting alone time with her like he always did.
She bit her lip, trying to hide her excited smile, and practically skipped down the stairs.
“Morning!” she chirped.
Roman turned, and the warmth in his gaze when it landed on her made her heart flutter. He greeted her with a kiss, then pulled out her chair.
Soon enough, he started his habit of feeding her. She pretended to protest, but they both knew she loved it.
Halfway through the meal, she asked, “Why didn’t you let me go to the company this morning? I thought you wanted me to start soon.”
Roman smiled faintly. “I never said that.”
Evelyn pursed her lips.
He pinched her cheeks gently. “I’m still working out your employment notice. I’ve also been preparing things for you—making sure your first days go smoothly.”
Evelyn’s chest warmed. ‘Such a caring husband…’
He continued, “All your research on Sinclair is useful, but not enough. As the CEO, I have better knowledge about the company than any public document."
He took a sip of his coffee.
"So instead of spending your time researching alone, you should come to me for insights.”
Evelyn’s brows furrowed in realization.
‘That makes sense… why didn’t I think of that?’
She perked up instantly. “Then… will you help me?”
Roman took another slow sip of his coffee, a glint in his eyes. "It comes with a price.”
Her smile faltered. She crossed her arms. “Name it.”
He chuckled, then leaned closer, his warm breath in her ear, “You have to let me eat my favorite dessert.”
Evelyn's crossed arms dropped. She straightened unconsciously, her heart skipping a beat.
She knew exactly what he meant.
"Wh-why do you always think dirty?" she managed, flustered.
“My thoughts are always dirty when it comes to you,” he teased, eyes glinting. “And trust me, what you’ve seen so far is the purest I can manage. I’m trying not to scare my little wife away.”
Evelyn’s cheeks burned crimson. Her pulse raced.
—-
The morning ended with a heated make-out session that left them both breathless.
They spent the rest of the day in Roman's study, with him tutoring her on everything she needed to know. His insights were invaluable—not just corporate structure, but personalities, politics, hidden alliances. Who could be trusted. Who couldn't. Where the landmines were buried.
It helped more than any textbook could have. Her confidence grew with each passing hour.
For days, this became their routine. Days of study in his study. Evenings of meals together. Nights that ended with heated kisses and roaming hands—but never more.
He always stopped midway.
Evelyn didn't understand.
—-
By Sunday, Evelyn sat on the bed, fidgeting with her fingers, mind racing.
Roman had helped her tremendously this week, and she wanted to repay him, but she didn’t know how.
After a long moment, she called Lena, discussing what men liked most.
Encouraged by her friend, Evelyn decided tonight would be different: she would take the initiative and pleasure him instead.
She went to her wardrobe, selecting a skimpy nightwear she hadn’t worn since their first days at home.
Looking in the mirror, she blushed at the sight of herself. Her curves were more pronounced, more feminine, more… tempting. She couldn’t help but admire herself—and even took a picture to remember the moment.
But one thought nagged at her: since leaving the hospital, Roman hadn't touched her—really touched her. He always pleasured her, always made sure she reached release, but he never entered her. Never let her touch him the same way.
After she came, he'd stop. Take a cold shower. Return to bed like nothing happened.
Her heart clenched.
Had she done something wrong?
She admitted, she missed him. She missed intimacy. She felt… empty without it.
She could also see his arousal every night. The way his body responded to hers. The way he'd groan and pull away, jaw tight, before disappearing into the bathroom.
Something was wrong. She needed to know what.
Evelyn took a deep breath, steeling herself.
Tonight, she decided, she would pleasure him. She would take control. And if he tried to stop her, he'd have to give her a real reason—not just the hospital excuse. She felt fine. She'd just fainted, nothing serious.
She was still standing in front of the mirror, deep in thought, when the bedroom door suddenly opened. She startled, straightening automatically.