Chapter 214
A flash of surprise crossed Martin's eyes, quickly giving way to astonishment.
If he remembered correctly, this was the first time in a year-long cold war that Victoria had softened toward him—acting coy and asking for his help.
For a moment, Martin felt as though the old Victoria had returned.
She used to speak to him in a soft, gentle tone, full of quiet sweetness and charm.
He leaned closer, his gaze settling on her pale face.
His slender fingers slipped through her hair, lingering as he gently stroked the ends.
A faint, pleasant scent of shampoo lingered in her hair.
The subtle, refreshing scent slowly drifted toward him.
Her lips, soft and pink, were the only hint of color on her pale face.
Before Victoria could react, he leaned in and kissed her.
He had kissed her many times before, but those kisses had always been harsh—an outlet for his frustration.
This time, however, was entirely different.
He was unusually careful, almost tender, as though she might shatter with the slightest misstep.
Victoria’s eyes remained open.
She didn't dare move or resist.
She stared blankly as he deepened the kiss, completely taking control.
Martin was no longer the same—he had become volatile and unpredictable, his moods impossible to read.
And she needed his help, so pushing him away wasn’t an option.
Martin suddenly pulled back and opened his eyes. "Close your eyes."
In the past, his words had always carried an edge of threats.
of coercion.
This time, however, his touch was unexpectedly gentle—almost soothing.
It reminded her of the first time she had been with him—terrified and inexperienced, afraid of what she didn’t understand.
Back then, fear had drained the color from her face, leaving her trembling.
Martin had been the one to hold her close, murmuring softly in her ear, his low, husky voice coaxing her to relax again and again.
Victoria closed her eyes as memories from the past flooded her mind.
Then she felt something cold against her skin—an unfamiliar sensation.
She suddenly opened her eyes.
Her bathrobe was gone.
Suddenly, her doctor’s warning echoed in her mind. "Ms. Gonzalez, your body is too weak. Remember, you cannot have sex. Sex will accelerate the spread of your condition!"
She couldn't risk it. She couldn’t afford to die so soon. Hayden hadn’t woken up yet, and she still didn’t know if the Gonzalez family was truly safe..
She wrapped her arms around herself and bit her lip. "We can't."
Caught up in the moment, Martin suddenly stopped, as if cold water had been thrown over him.
Victoria watched as he lifted his head, his expression turning cold, all desire gone. He stared at her and asked, "Then who can?"
She froze—he had misunderstood her again.
Victoria didn’t even have time to respond.
A mocking laugh escaped him. "The mute boy? Or Aaron? Victoria, I'm your husband, and I can't even touch you? Is this how you ask me for help?"
Victoria's fingers tightened around the edge of the blanket.
Martin, I can't let you touch me because I have a terminal illness. You clearly know this, yet you act like this—is it fun for you?
She blinked, her eyes dry and stinging.
It didn’t take long for her to understand—Martin was doing this to torment her. He had been watching her; there was no way he didn't know about her condition.
He had such peculiar tastes, enjoying intimacy with someone who was unwilling.
Victoria pressed her lips together before speaking. "Martin, if I sleep with you... will you find a way to wake my father sooner?"
"That depends on how well you please me, Mrs. Collins." He stressed the title, as if reminding her of her place.
She hesitated, silently weighing her options.
She wanted to take the risk—maybe Hayden would wake up sooner.
The doctor had told her to do what she wished, to leave no regrets behind.
If there was anything she still longed for, she needed the courage to pursue it.
She wrapped her arms around Martin’s neck and, for the first time, leaned in of her own accord.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face.
Seeing her give in, he must have felt a sense of triumph, Victoria thought.
Although Martin was unexpectedly gentle, she remained detached, unable to lose herself in the moment.
It hadn’t been like this before.
Perhaps her love for him had already faded beyond repair.
After everything that had happened.
In the end, she had broken her promise—betrayed the vows she once held so dearly.
At the wedding, Victoria had told Martin with heartfelt sincerity that no matter what happened—even if the world fell apart—she would love him forever.
He had once asked her, “Victoria, if I ever treat you badly after we’re married, will you still love me?
Back then, she had been so certain—her eyes bright like stars. “I trust myself,” she had said. “You would never treat me badly."
Yet just over a year into their marriage, the world hadn’t fallen apart—and yet her heart had already changed.
Now, whenever she faced Martin, she found she couldn’t bring herself to feel anything for him at all.
More than anything, she felt a deep sense of disgust and rejection.
Even so, she was bound to him—trapped with him until the very end of her life.
Victoria lay in the darkness, staring up at the modern chandelier above her.
She bit down hard on her lip, trying to endure it.
She bit down so hard her lip began to bleed.
The intimacy felt like torture to her.
But none of it seemed to affect Martin's desire in the slightest.
Victoria assumed it was because Mia hadn’t satisfied him, leaving him pent up for too long—that was why it seemed to drag on endlessly.
"If it weren't for the baby you're carrying, I'd want to fuck you to death."
That was what he said when it was over.
Victoria sneered. What a pervert—how could he have such twisted thoughts. Fuck her to death? Just how much had she offended him?
"I'm going to take a shower." Victoria slipped out of bed, her bare feet touching the cold floor. Without waiting for his response, she headed straight for the bathroom.
She felt filthy—utterly, unbearably so.
Martin had been with Mia—her scent still clung to him.
What kind of situation had she gotten herself into?
Victoria turned on the shower and scrubbed herself with body wash, painstakingly thorough, as if trying to erase every place he had touched.
A sharp click broke the silence.
Victoria looked up just as the bathroom door swung open.
Martin, completely naked, walked in without a hint of hesitation. "Together."