Chapter 26 Chapter 26
Nicholas watched the young woman's face for a few seconds before standing up. The way he moved—calm, controlled, full of presence—made Sara instinctively hold her breath.
He approached the bed and, with an unexpectedly gentle gesture, placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a light pat.
“Sara,” he said, his voice low and firm but gentle, “your sister is special to me.
A pause.
”In fact, you could say she's unique. The woman who will walk with me for the rest of my life will be her and her alone. There will be no other."
The simple words made Sara's eyes sparkle. Perhaps she still didn't fully trust him, but at that moment, she believed him.
When Caroline returned with the package of still-warm rolls, she found her sister smiling.
Sara ate only one and then shook her head.
“I'm full, sister.”
They talked a little more, until Sara's eyes began to grow heavy. Caroline adjusted the blanket, waited until she saw her fall asleep, and then got up, walking silently to the door.
Outside, the night wind was cool and gentle, blowing lightly on her face.
She took a deep breath.
The hospital was almost silent—only the distant sound of footsteps and the rustling of leaves.
She walked beside Nicholas down the long corridor to the main gate.
Their shadows stretched out under the pale light of the streetlights—his tall and straight, hers delicate and close.
Caroline looked down.
His shadow overlapped hers, covering it completely.
For some reason, the scene fascinated her.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice the small stone in the path.
Her foot slipped.
“Ah!” she exclaimed, her body lurching forward.
Before she could fall, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her firmly.
Her body collided with the man's warm, solid chest.
The sound of his laughter echoed above her head—low, hoarse, amused.
“Is my shadow that beautiful? Even better than me?”
Caroline felt her face flush violently.
She quickly pulled away, pushing him gently.
“I... I didn't mean to!” she murmured, not daring to look up.
Nicholas raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
“It was?”
She turned her face away, still red.
“Just now... thank you.”
He stopped.
The smile disappeared, replaced by a more serious, intense look.
“Thank you?” he repeated. “Do you still like to thank me so much?”
The grave tone of his voice made the air between them heavier.
“Am I still a stranger in your eyes?”
“I...” Caroline tried to answer, but the words barely came out.
Nicholas took a step forward, and before she could back away, he pulled her back into his arms.
One firm arm encircled her waist, holding her against his chest.
His other hand lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.
His eyes were like abysses—dark, deep, impossible to look away from.
Caroline's heart raced.
“N-Nicholas... Wolf...”
His lips curved into a half-smile.
His gaze drifted down to her pink mouth, and something in his eyes grew denser, darker.
His voice was almost a whisper:
“Caroline, I am your husband. You need to get used to me as soon as possible.”
She blinked, confused, her heart beating too fast.
“What... what do you mean?”
“I'll give you a week,” he said, his tone calm but commanding. “A week to adjust.”
And then, with a light touch, he tilted her face closer.
“After that,” he added, his eyes burning into hers, “if you still can't, I'll take care of our relationship... my way.”
Before she could understand, his lips descended on hers—hot, firm, possessive.
The kiss was brief but overwhelming.
Caroline's heart was lost between surprise and vertigo.
And for the first time, she realized that Nicholas Wolf never spoke on impulse.
Everything he said... he fulfilled.
Her lips were as sweet as he remembered—soft, warm, and with a taste that became addictive the moment he tasted it.
The moment Nicholas Wolf kissed her, Caroline's body stiffened. The world seemed to dissolve around her.
For a few seconds, her brain went blank. Then her eyes widened, staring closely at that masculine and absurdly handsome face. Her heart raced, her chest trembled, and she felt as if her heart would jump out of her throat at any moment.
Nicholas noticed her hesitation. His large, warm, firm hands slid down to cover Caroline's eyes. His deep, velvety voice sounded close to her ear, low and commanding:
“Close your eyes when you're kissing me.”
His touch, the warmth of his body, and the deepening kiss left her weak.
Caroline felt her legs go soft.
Her cheeks were so red they looked feverish.
Nicholas ended the kiss only when he realized she was already panting too heavily, almost out of breath.
Before letting her go completely, he lightly bit the corner of her lips—a possessive gesture, laden with desire.
She gasped softly in his arms, her chest rising and falling, her face moistened by the heat of his breath.
Nicholas's eyes were different—dark, intense, filled with a warm, hungry light.
“Don't you know how to breathe while kissing?” he asked, his voice hoarse and drawn out. “Didn't your ex-fiancé teach you?”
Caroline stared at him, her face still flushed, the words stuck in her throat.
Her inexperience surprised him—just as much as it had that night.
He remembered it well. That night had been her first time.
Even after so many years with Edward Collins... she was still that pure.
The realization made him clench his jaw.
It was almost impossible to believe that Edward Collins had resisted her for so long.
Caroline finally managed to catch her breath.
She looked up, her eyes still wet, and stared at him indignantly.
“How could you...”
“Of course I can.” Nicholas smiled slightly, leaving no room for reply.
His fingertips brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear in a delicate gesture. The smile that curved his lips was somewhat ironic, but also dangerous.
“Caroline,” he murmured, each syllable sounding slow and firm, “I am your husband.
”We are now husband and wife.
His voice became a hoarse whisper.
“Do you really think I can't?”
She opened her mouth to reply, but his gaze silenced her.