Chapter 69
Ophelia sat to the side, eating the grilled food while watching William busily working away, her heart full of happiness.
They grilled a whole table full of food and ate until they were stuffed.
"I'm so full I could burst." Ophelia leaned back in her chair, rubbing her belly.
"Slow down, no one's fighting you for it." William smiled and handed her a bottle of yogurt. "Drink some of this, it'll help with digestion."
Ophelia took it and had a sip. The cool yogurt eased the greasy feeling in her mouth.
After resting for a bit, they packed up and rode their bikes back.
On the way back, Ophelia was clearly tired, riding much slower with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
William noticed and slowed down, riding alongside her. "Tired? Want me to give you a ride?"
"No need, I can do it." Ophelia gritted her teeth and sped up a little.
After another ten minutes or so, she really couldn't go on and stopped, breathing heavily.
William also stopped and walked over to her, pulling out a tissue to wipe her sweat. "I told you to say something when you're tired. Why push yourself?"
He locked the two bikes together, then bent down. "Get on, I'll carry you."
"No need, that's too tiring for you." Ophelia quickly waved her hands.
"Listen to me." Without waiting for her response, William turned around. "Hurry up, or the sun's just going to get hotter."
Ophelia hesitated, then climbed onto his back.
William stood up steadily, his hands supporting her legs just right—not letting her slip but not too tight either.
"Hold on tight." He said and started walking forward.
Ophelia's arms wrapped around his neck, her cheek pressed against his back, clearly feeling his warm body temperature and strong heartbeat.
She felt so sweet inside; all her previous tiredness seemed to disappear.
"Do you think people will laugh at us like this?" Ophelia asked quietly.
"Laugh at what? There's nothing wrong with caring for your wife." William's voice came back, filled with amusement.
Ophelia couldn't help but laugh, burying her head deeper, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.
After walking for about twenty minutes, they reached where they'd parked.
William gently set her down and brushed the dust off her clothes. "You okay?"
"Thank you." Ophelia looked up at him with a smile, her cheeks slightly flushed.
They put the bikes in the trunk, got in the car, and headed to the villa.
By the time they got back to the villa, it was already past three in the afternoon.
Ophelia was so tired she collapsed on the couch, not wanting to move.
William poured her a glass of warm water and sat beside her. "Want to go sleep for a bit?"
"I am kind of sleepy." Ophelia yawned and sat up. "I'll go upstairs and lie down for a while."
She stood up and headed toward the stairs, planning to go back to the room she'd stayed in last night.
Just as she reached the guest room door, William stopped her.
"What's wrong?" Ophelia looked at him, puzzled.
William looked at her, his eyes deep. "Last night was to give you time to adjust. Now we're legally married—are we still going to sleep in separate rooms?"
Ophelia's cheeks instantly flushed red. Understanding what he meant, her heartbeat involuntarily quickened.
She lowered her head, fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, a bit embarrassed.
"We... we are married, so we really don't need separate rooms." She said quietly.
A smile curved William's lips as he reached out to hold her hand. "Then come with me."
He led her into the master bedroom. The room was large, decorated warmly yet luxuriously.
William hugged her from behind, his chin resting in the curve of her neck. "Ophelia, I want to make love to you."
His voice was low and husky, filled with deep desire. Ophelia's body stiffened for a moment, then softened.
She turned around, looking into his deep eyes that reflected her image, full of love and possessiveness.
"Me too." She said softly, taking the initiative to stand on her tiptoes and kiss his lips.
William's body stiffened, then he took control, deepening the kiss.
His kiss carried a dominating possessiveness yet remained gentle. Ophelia closed her eyes, responding to him wholeheartedly.
Their breathing grew more rapid, their body temperatures rising.
William picked her up, walked to the soft bed, and gently laid her down.
He leaned over her, his gaze burning. "I'll be gentle."
Ophelia nodded, her cheeks red enough to drip blood, closing her eyes as her long lashes trembled lightly.
William lowered his head, leaving a series of tender kisses on her forehead, cheeks, and chin, then slowly moved down.
His movements were gentle and patient. Ophelia could feel his cherishing and love.
Her body gradually relaxed, and with his movements, waves of tingling sensations spread throughout her body.
Sunlight from outside filtered through the sheer curtains into the room, creating an intimate yet warm atmosphere.
Only the intertwined sounds of their breathing and occasional soft moans remained in the room, the air thick with love.
After who knows how long, everything gradually settled.
William held Ophelia, wiping the sweat from her forehead, his tone gentle. "You okay? Feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
Ophelia leaned against him, her cheeks still burning, and shook her head. "No, it was good."
William lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "From now on, you're truly my wife."
Ophelia looked up at him, a sweet smile on her lips. "Mr. Brown, please take care of me for the rest of our lives."
"Likewise, Mrs. Brown." William held her tightly, as if trying to merge her into his very bones.
The two embraced, gradually falling asleep with satisfied smiles on their faces.
Early the next morning, Phoenix accompanied Hermione as she leisurely browsed a jewelry store, Hermione's eyes scanning over rows of necklaces.
"Mom, what do you think of this necklace? The color's clear and bright—it would look good on you." Phoenix picked up an emerald necklace and held it up to Hermione.
Hermione leaned in for a closer look and gently shook her head. "It looks nice, but the style's too old-fashioned. Not right for wearing now."
As they were talking, a sweet, affected voice suddenly interrupted. "Hermione, Phoenix, what a coincidence! You're shopping for jewelry, too?"
Phoenix and Hermione turned around to see Freya carrying a designer bag, her face plastered with a deliberate smile, quickly walking over.
She wore an expensive dress and her hair was carefully styled—she looked much more put-together than she had at the celebration banquet.
Hermione's brow furrowed instinctively, a flash of disdain in her eyes. She said nothing.
Phoenix didn't give her a warm reception either, his tone flat. "Ms. Stewart is buying jewelry, too?"
Freya acted as if she hadn't noticed their coldness, still warmly sidling up to Hermione. "Well, Kaida's birthday is coming up, so I thought I'd pick out a little piece of jewelry as a gift for her."