Chapter 212
"Not so prickly anymore." After sending Samuel to the study to do his homework, Michael wrapped his arms around Nora from behind, watching her arrange flowers.
Nora's body stiffened, and very tense.
Michael reached for a loose rose on the table and got pricked by a thorn that hadn't been removed. A small red dot of blood appeared instantly on his finger.
Nora nervously grabbed Michael's finger and looked up at him helplessly.
"Nora." Michael looked down at Nora. They were very close, the atmosphere somewhat intimate.
Nora lowered her head helplessly, wanting to remove the thorns from the rose.
"Red roses are more resistant to wind and harsh conditions than white roses." Michael took the rose away, "Roses are supposed to have thorns. It's not their fault if they prick people."
Nora looked up at Michael, her gaze trembling.
Michael sighed and leaned down to kiss her.
Those scumbags had hurt Nora so badly, leaving her so resistant and scarred. He needed more patience and careful tenderness to warm her up.
No rush, take it step by step. Those who had hurt Nora—if she didn't deal with them, he would.
To destroy someone, you must break their spirit.
Some people always have to pay for their mistakes.
Nora breathed rapidly, lowering her head with a flushed face. Michael pulled her into his arms, forcing her to step back into the bathroom.
He leaned down to kiss her again. Michael's kiss was passionate yet full of comfort.
Nora felt dizzy, like she was really falling.
She knew she was done for.
She had already drowned in Michael's gentle trap.
Even knowing it was a trap, she had fallen deeply into it, unable to pull herself out.
"Nora..." Michael's voice was husky. When moved by emotion, he always wanted to say simple, comforting words to Nora.
His fingers gently traced down Nora's spine as Michael kissed her ear, "Will you give yourself to me completely?"
Give him her trust, her dependence, and her responsibility.
Nora's trembling, tense body slowly relaxed because there was nowhere left to retreat. Her clothes had already been removed by Michael and tossed aside.
Nora's voice shook a little, "Samuel."
"Samuel is being good. He's studying and won't come downstairs to bother us." Michael chuckled softly.
Nora's voice was a bit hoarse, "But we just ate, we should..."
"We should exercise. It helps digestion." Michael looked at Nora with mock grievance. He had been holding back so much already.
Nora's ears grew hot. Pushed against the wall, the cold tile made her instinctively burrow into Michael's embrace.
Michael raised an eyebrow. Since she was offering herself so willingly, he wouldn't hold back.
"Mr. Smith." Out of fear and habit, Nora called him Mr. Smith.
Michael's hand tightened on Nora's waist, startling her into a whimpering cry.
"What did you call me?" Michael asked seductively.
Nora felt a shiver run down her spine, truly feeling like her soul was being stolen by some enchanting creature.
He was really so good at seducing people.
She didn't want to be so indulgent, didn't want Michael to think she was that kind of loose woman, but her body wasn't under her control at all.
Seeing Nora stay silent, Michael mischievously bit her neck.
Nora was bullied into tears, "Michael."
"Wrong."
Michael persistently teased Nora.
She was forced into a corner with no escape, having to cling to Michael's body, relying on him to hold her up so she wouldn't slide down.
Michael lifted her up against the wall. The cold sensation made her tense body press against his.
"What does Samuel have you call me?" Michael insisted on making Nora say that particular name.
Nora was stubborn, crying but refusing to say it.
Michael was at a loss with her, "Were you a spy in your past life?"
Nora breathed rapidly against Michael's chest, saying nothing, just crying.
Michael patted her back soothingly. He had to comfort the one he made cry, "I was wrong. Don't cry. I won't bully you anymore."
"Liar." Nora cried even harder.
Because while Michael said he was wrong, he hadn't stopped or let her go at all.
Michael made a shushing gesture to Nora.
Sure enough, the doorbell rang outside.
Michael frowned, his expression darkening. Who was being so annoying at a time like this?
If it was David, he was dead.
He'd better have something important.
Nora looked at Michael nervously, wanting to get down from him.
Michael refused to let her go, "Nori, I can't hold back."
Michael was acting spoiled.
Nora was charmed and actually stopped resisting, "But someone's here."
"Don't care. Opening the door a bit later won't kill anyone." But stopping now and making him go out would kill him.
Nora's face flushed red as she spoke urgently, "Then hurry up."
"You think I'm slow?" Michael was still teasing Nora.
The doorbell kept ringing outside, showing that whoever was out there was getting impatient.
Nora was scared—what if it was something urgent?
Michael, on the other hand, was quite calm, though he was already planning how to kill David.
Time passed, but the doorbell kept ringing.
Michael refused to let Nora go, but Samuel upstairs couldn't take it anymore and ran downstairs.
Samuel came down and looked outside through the video doorbell.
Was the doorbell broken? Looking at the camera feed, there was no one outside.
Why did it keep ringing?
"Dad? Mom?" Samuel turned to look for Michael and Nora.
He searched around but couldn't find them.
Did they go out?
Walking to the door puzzled, Samuel looked at the screen showing only a round little head.
Because they were so small, the camera could only capture their head.
Samuel thought it was Joseph and opened the door on his own.
But outside stood an unfamiliar little kid.
About Samuel's height, with features seven parts similar to his own, wearing a small backpack and dragging a watermelon-sized little suitcase.
"Who are you?" Samuel looked curiously at the little kid outside.
The little kid also looked at Samuel warily, "Who are you?"
Samuel scratched his head, "I'm Samuel. What about you?"
Seeing Samuel meant no harm, the little kid lowered his guard slightly, "I'm Milo."
"Who are you looking for?" Samuel looked outside but didn't see any adults.
"I'm looking for my mom." Milo patted his chubby little belly. He had run away from home and heard this address at Daryl's place, so he came looking.
He wanted to find his mom.
"But there's no mom here for you. There's only my mom at home." Samuel shook his head, "You got the wrong place."
Milo looked up at the house number, "I didn't get it wrong. This is the place."
Samuel looked at Milo, "Your mum isn't here."
Samuel tried to close the door, but Milo squeezed inside.
"Mom?"
"Mom!" Milo was looking for Nora.
"My mom and dad might be sleeping. Keep your voice down." Samuel told Milo not to shout.
"It's only after six. How could they be sleeping? You're lying." Milo huffed.
Samuel didn't know what to do with Milo, "Your stomach keeps growling. I'll get you something to eat."
Only then did Milo completely lower his guard.