Chapter 58

Elsie carried Spud upstairs, still debating whether she should leave some cat food for the black cat downstairs. She didn't want the black cat constantly eyeing Spud.

She pulled out her keys and opened the door, only to find Ronald lounging on her small couch, casually sipping from her favorite mug.

Elsie froze, and Spud stopped squirming in her arms. They both stared at Ronald as if he were an alien.

"What are you doing here?" Elsie set Spud down and signed.

Ronald put the mug down, his tone indifferent. "I came in while you were downstairs."

Elsie was momentarily speechless. How could Ronald act like he owned the place?

She signed again, "We're divorced, Mr. York. Please leave."

Ronald didn't move, just looked at her with those deep, unreadable eyes. "The cooling-off period isn't over yet."

Elsie was furious. How could Ronald be so shameless?

She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "The cooling-off period is for us to think things over, not for you to harass me. Can you just let me be for a while?"

Ronald stood up and walked straight to Elsie's bedroom. 

She watched him push open the door without hesitation, anger rising within her. This was her home! How could he act so entitled?

"Ronald, get out!" Elsie hurried to the bedroom door, signing furiously.

Ronald was already lying on her bed, eyes closed, looking exhausted. "I'm really tired. Let me sleep for a bit."

Elsie was on the verge of getting worked up. They were almost divorced, and Ronald had the nerve to come to her house to sleep? What was this?

She rushed over and grabbed Ronald's arm, trying to pull him off the bed. 

Ronald's eyes snapped open, and he grabbed her wrist, pulling her off balance. She fell on top of him, and he quickly flipped her over, pinning her beneath him with one hand beside her head and the other gripping her wrist.

His gaze was intense, with a hint of danger. "Stop it. Let me rest for a bit."

Elsie struggled to breathe under his weight, trying to get up, but he held her firmly.

"Ronald, let me go! We're almost divorced!" she signed frantically.

"I know," he said calmly, his eyes growing deeper, as if they could swallow her whole. "So what?"

Elsie's heart sank with a sense of foreboding. What did he mean by that? Did he still want...

"What do you want?" she signed, her hands trembling with fear.

Elsie lay there, feeling Ronald's warmth, her mind in turmoil. They were on the brink of divorce, yet he still treated her like this. What was this? Was he toying with her?

A wave of grievance surged in her heart, causing Elsie's eyes to redden.

Elsie's tears could no longer be restrained, silently cascading down her cheeks, each drop like a fine needle piercing Ronald's heart.

He looked at her, his expression complicated, with a hint of pain. Ronald released her wrist and gently caressed her cheek, wiping away her tears as if handling a fragile treasure.

"Don't cry," he murmured, his voice hoarse and unexpectedly tender.

Elsie cried even harder, pushing him away with all her strength. She wanted to escape his grasp, but he pulled her back, holding her tightly.

"Let me go!" she struggled and signed.

"We're nearly done with the divorce proceedings; you can't treat me this way!" Her movements grew weaker.

Suddenly, Ronald's grip loosened. Elsie thought he was finally letting her go. She tried to get up, but he grabbed her ankle and pulled her back into his arms.

"You..." Elsie pointed at him, ready to sign more angry words, but he covered her mouth.

Ronald whispered, placing a finger to his lips. He leaned in close to her ear and said softly, "Spud is still outside."

Elsie remembered Spud and turned to see the cat sitting at the door, looking at them with curiosity.

"Elsie, if you don't behave, I'll sell that cat and let those cat catchers outside have it," Ronald threatened.

Elsie immediately quieted down. Elsie instinctively wanted to distance herself from him, yet she dared not make any sudden movements for fear of startling Spud.

She cautiously inched to the side, attempting to create some distance between herself and Ronald.

Ronald noticed her movements and smirked. He pulled her back into his arms, his tone commanding, "Don't move."

Elsie was trapped, unable to move. She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, and signed, "Ronald, what do you want?"

Ronald didn't answer, just looked at her with those deep, unreadable eyes.

"Say something!" Elsie signed again, frustrated.

"I just want to hold you," Ronald finally said.

Elsie stiffened in his arms, feeling her face flush. They were on the verge of finalizing their divorce; what right did he have to treat her this way?

She glared at him, silently demanding an explanation. Ronald ignored her anger, tightening his embrace, pressing her against his warm chest.

"Elsie, it seems like I can only sleep peacefully when I'm holding you," he whispered, burying his face in her neck and taking a deep breath.

Elsie shivered, a jolt of electricity running through her body, making it hard to think.

She wanted to push him away but lacked the strength, leaving her at his mercy. 

Ronald's fingers traced her cheek, then moved down her neck, stopping at the hollow of her collarbone. He gently caressed her, feeling her soft skin, his eyes growing darker.

"Ronald, you..." Elsie tried to sign, but he silenced her with a kiss.

The kiss was forceful and passionate, with a hint of punishment, yet also inexplicably tender.

Elsie felt as though she was on the brink of suffocation, yet she found herself unable to resist his advances. His hands roamed, igniting every nerve in her body. Her breathing quickened, and her body softened.

She closed her eyes, surrendering to the sudden storm.