Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Willow POV
I woke, staring blankly at the ceiling overhead, not knowing what I was thinking.
My expression broke hearts. Charles felt even more guilty. "Honey, I'm sorry, I..."
My gaze landed on his face. "Since we got married, have you counted how many times you've apologized to me?"
Charles's mouth hung open. No words came out.
After a long while, he clutched my hand guiltily. "I promise, this is the last time. When Sterling called, I was truly scared, Willow. I'm scared of losing you."
I looked at his face full of self-reproach. "Is that all? Don't you have anything else to tell me?"
Charles met my eyes, feeling like I could see right through him.
He should confess his dark thoughts, admit he'd tampered with the brakes. But thinking about how disappointed I'd be when I learned the truth, the words stuck in his throat.
"When the accident happened, I'd already reacted." His silence chilled my heart. "I was driving very slowly, but the brakes didn't respond at all. I watched helplessly as I crashed into the car ahead."
"Willow..." Charles wanted me to stop.
But my voice continued.
"Charles, how long have you had this car? Less than a month, right? A million-dollar car, and the brakes failed that fast?"
"You knew I'd been in a car accident. You knew I had psychological trauma about driving. That moment of the crash—do you know what I felt?"
Memories from an hour ago overlapped with memories from years ago. Despair nearly shattered me.
Seeing my eyes full of disappointment, Charles was filled with regret. "Willow, I didn't know. I really didn't know it would be like this."
"It's my fault. Hit me if you want, as long as you can calm down..." He grabbed my hand, trying to put it on his face.
I coldly pulled my hand back.
I knew Charles too well. If I actually hit him like he said, he'd just think the matter was over.
"Monday I'll go to work on time. If there's a problem with this job, we're getting divorced." I said.
Charles naturally agreed to everything at this point. "Okay, go to work. I'll get up an hour early every day to drive you to the company. I'll pick you up after work."
I just got scared, not really hurt. After my emotions calmed, I had Charles take me home.
Charles was still worried, wanting me to stay under observation another day. I refused.
I really didn't like hospitals.
"You can go home, but if you feel unwell at all, tell me immediately." Charles urged.
I agreed.
By the time we got home, it was already dark.
Charles had the driver take the damaged car for repairs and had Rena make some blood-nourishing dishes.
I had no appetite, ate a few simple bites, then got up to rest upstairs.
Seeing this, Charles followed.
Upstairs bedroom.
Exhausted physically and mentally, I just wanted to shower and rest early.
When Charles entered, I'd only half-undressed, exposing a stretch of delicate, slender waist.
Charles's eyes instantly darkened.
These past days, knowing I was in a bad mood, Charles hadn't wanted to push me. This made his desire for me pile up even deeper. Just one look from me could set him off.
I hadn't noticed his unusual state, putting my clothes away. "Did you need something?"
Charles was somewhat dissatisfied with my attitude. "Honey, this is our room."
Since I'd chosen to maintain this marriage temporarily, my behavior wasn't really appropriate.
Thinking this, when Charles came forward to embrace me, I didn't refuse.
"Honey, are you still mad at me?" Charles bent down, burying his head in my neck, voice cautious.
I suppressed the resistance in my heart. "No, just a bit tired."
As my words fell, Charles's hand on my waist moved.
When he spoke, his voice carried obvious desire. "Honey, let's make love. We've been married so long, but we still haven't consummated..."
He looked up at me. "A harmonious sex life makes marriages better. You've been so cold to me lately. I feel very insecure."
With that, he lowered his head to kiss my lips.
His attention was entirely on my lips, so he didn't notice the thick sarcasm in my eyes when I heard those words.
"I'm not in the mood today." I broke free from his embrace.
"Willow." Charles's interest was interrupted. Having been neglected too long, his face turned somewhat cold.
I said wearily, "I just got in a car accident today. Just came back from the hospital. I'm really tired right now. I just want to sleep."
Mentioning the car accident, Charles's expression shifted.
He relented. "You're right. I was too hasty."
I lowered my eyes. "Okay."
"Let me hold you while you sleep tonight." Charles requested.
I agreed.
Charles held me in his arms. He slept deeply. I didn't sleep well all night.
The next morning.
Just as I was finally about to fall asleep, Charles woke me again.
"Honey, I bought some gifts. Later we'll go thank Sterling together." Charles called me softly.
As his words fell, his eyes were tender. He kissed my face.
These past days I'd been cold to him. Only now, when I was asleep, could he see the soft side of me from before.
I slowly opened my eyes. Remembering yesterday's events, I really should thank Sterling properly in person.
Also, I'd crashed into his car. I didn't know if Sterling had been hurt...
Half an hour later, Charles drove personally. We headed to Sterling's place.
On the way, from lack of sleep, my face looked somewhat haggard.
Charles thought I was afraid of Sterling and reassured me. "I'll be with you. Don't be nervous."
I saw my pale face in the rearview mirror and pulled out my makeup bag to touch up.
Sterling lived near the Lancaster Group Building, in a luxury apartment complex in the city center.
Charles also owned property in this complex and entered the gate without obstruction.
When the car stopped downstairs at Sterling's apartment building, Charles's phone rang.
So I got out first to get the things.
After a while, Charles got out of the car. "Honey, a client's coming today. I need to entertain them. I probably can't go with you. Will you be okay on your own?"
I looked up at him. Charles's eyes were somewhat evasive.
"Sterling won't make things difficult for you. If anything happens, just call me." He said.
I withdrew my gaze from him, lips curving slightly. "Work's important. Go ahead."
Charles's shoulders visibly relaxed. Before leaving, he grabbed my hand and kissed it. "I'll come get you when I'm done."
With that, he hurriedly got in the car and left.
I carried the gifts into the apartment building.
From our previous encounters, I could confirm he hadn't recognized me. He also wasn't as unapproachable as rumors suggested.
I rang the doorbell. The door opened.
Sterling wore casual loungewear, the top casually open, exposing tight abs.