Chapter 85 He Knocks at Midnight
Emma looked at Nicholas.
The light fell across his sharp features, his tall frame nearly enveloping her completely.
In just over ten days, she would be leaving Emerald City.
Once she left this time, they would probably never see each other again in this lifetime.
He had saved her so many times—one dance as thanks for all their years together?
That... didn't seem unreasonable.
She calculated quickly in her mind.
Just as she was about to raise her hand, a sickeningly sweet voice rang out from the doorway.
"Nicholas."
Emma looked up.
A woman in an ice-blue strapless gown stood there, her makeup flawless, her hair in soft curls, gazing at Nicholas with an expression of delighted dependence.
It was Zoe.
Nicholas's outstretched hand froze mid-air. He slowly straightened, the warmth draining from his face instantly.
The atmosphere around him became suffocatingly tense.
Zoe seemed oblivious. She clicked over in her heels, her dress swaying gracefully.
She walked straight to Nicholas's side and naturally—almost showily—slipped her arm through his, pressing her body close.
"I knew you'd keep your promise to come!"
Her voice was soft and cloying, full of excitement.
"Tomorrow's the premiere ceremony for 'The Pear Blossom Grave,' and I'm so happy you're here!"
She gazed up at him with bright, shining eyes, completely ignoring Emma's presence.
"Everyone's downstairs at the club lounge celebrating. Come with me, Nicholas!"
Emma's lips curved in the faintest smile, her voice devoid of emotion.
"Mr. Harrison, thank you for dinner. I'll be going now."
Nicholas's expression darkened.
Watching Emma's distant, indifferent demeanor, an inexplicable fury rose in his chest.
The moment she turned to leave, he lunged forward, grabbing her wrist with considerable force.
Emma was forced to stop. She frowned, trying to shake him off.
"Emma." Nicholas's voice was low, suppressing anger. "There's nothing between her and me."
His explanation was blunt and direct.
Emma found it laughable.
She jerked her hand free with a swift, decisive motion.
"Mr. Harrison's private affairs are none of my concern." Her voice was cold, clearly impatient. "No explanations necessary."
"Goodbye!"
With that, she strode toward the exit without looking back, her posture straight, showing no trace of reluctance.
Nicholas watched her resolute departure, his hand still suspended in the air.
Intense frustration and rage churned violently in his chest.
He wanted to chase after her, but Zoe was still standing there.
He whipped around to stare at Zoe.
That look was terrifyingly cold.
Zoe shrank under his gaze, her smile barely holding.
"Nicholas, I... I'll go back to my room. If you're free, come find me later."
She fled immediately!
In the early morning hours, in a hotel suite, Zoe collapsed on the carpet, staring at the glaring bloodstain on the floor, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
She picked up her phone, her voice shaking with tears and disbelief.
"He... he got away..."
Before she could finish, she covered her face and broke down sobbing.
Deep into the night.
Urgent, forceful knocking—as if someone wanted to tear the door down—brutally shattered the room's tranquility.
Emma frowned in irritation, sitting up in bed and reluctantly walking to the door.
The moment the door opened, a tall figure burst in.
It was Nicholas!
Without warning, he pulled the still-stunned Emma into his arms and crashed his burning lips down on hers.
The kiss was desperate and fierce, carrying an undeniable possessiveness, like molten lava that had been suppressed for centuries finally finding its only outlet, ready to erupt.
Emma was shocked by this sudden assault.
She struggled forcefully, instinctively pushing against his chest, but her hand touched his arm instead.
A wet, sticky sensation met her fingers, and the metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils.
She looked down in alarm.
The sight was horrifying!
His expensive blue shirt was soaked through with blood, the fabric dark crimson to black.
"You're hurt!" she gasped.
Nicholas seemed oblivious, his body temperature frighteningly high. He didn't care about his injured arm, only kissed her more fiercely, as if he wanted to devour her completely.
He was like a wild animal out of control, his bloodshot eyes filled with nothing but primal desire.
His scorching kisses trailed down to her throat.
Hot breath whispered against her ear as he murmured in an extremely hoarse voice tinged with painful groaning.
"Emma, give me..."
"Give me..."
His large hands moved toward her pajama buttons, urgently trying to remove them.
Emma's mind went blank.
This familiar loss of control—had he been drugged by Zoe again?
But if he'd been drugged, why wasn't he going to Zoe for relief? Why was he here acting crazy?
"Get away!" She raised her knee, pressing it against him forcefully while pushing him with her hands.
Nicholas acted as if he hadn't heard, his kisses unrelenting. He lifted her forcefully and in a few steps had her pressed down on the soft bed behind them.
He gave her no chance to escape.
Rational thought? What was that? It had long been consumed by the drug.
All he wanted now was her—to possess her completely!
He pinned her down with his body weight, her hands trapped firmly above her head. He looked down at her from above, his gaze predatory.
"Nicholas!" Emma screamed, her voice breaking into sobs.
"Wake up! Look at me! It's Emma!"
Terror engulfed her like a tide, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
"Don't do this... Nicholas... please... don't make me hate you! I really will hate you!"
"Nicholas! Wake up!"
Her cries carried desperate trembling.
Nicholas's movements suddenly stopped. He looked down at the tear-streaked girl beneath him, those clear eyes filled with terror and pleading.
A sharp pain shot through his heart, and those desire-reddened eyes finally showed a flicker of clarity.
Seeing her tear-stained face and terrified expression, he felt as if he'd been stabbed.
"I'm sorry." His hoarse voice carried endless struggle.
He suddenly pushed himself up from her and stumbled into the bathroom.
The sound of cold water filled the air.
Emma took a deep breath, her chest still heaving violently.
She reached into her small bag, pulling out a red pill and clutching it in her palm before following him into the bathroom.
Nicholas stood under the shower head, head bowed.
Ice-cold water cascaded from above, soaking his disheveled hair and sliding down his sculpted muscles.
His hands were clenched into tight fists, veins bulging on the backs of his hands, his body trembling slightly as he fought against something with all his might.
The wound on his arm continued bleeding, the bright red blood mixing with the water and spreading in pale pink pools on the floor.
Emma approached him.
"Nicholas, take the medicine." Her voice was gentle, soothing. "You'll be fine once you take it."
She carefully placed the red pill between his cold lips.
He pulled her close, holding her tightly as they both stood under the cold shower spray.