Chapter 25
The next day.
Morning light squeezed through the gaps in the curtains into the exquisitely decorated room. On the wide, soft bed, Ella's hair was spread across the pillow, marks all over her body, and the flush on her face were enough to prove what she had been through last night.
Opening her eyes, Ella still felt extremely tired. When she tried to get up, she saw Joshua still sleeping beside her on the pillow. Ella hesitated for a moment, her body stiffening as she stopped moving, staring at him in confusion.
Looking at Joshua's handsome features, the neck she had bitten, and the scratches on his solid, sexy chest. Every inch of his body seemed to be filled with masculine hormones. Ella didn't deny that she truly loved him. She really wanted to be with him forever. But Joshua cared so much about the two children she had given birth to. He had also said himself that he would marry Scarlett. So what was she still hoping for?
Ella sat up gently, picking up her clothes and starting to dress when Joshua woke up. He didn't make a sound. He lay there watching Ella's slender back. The morning light fell on her, making her tender, smooth skin even more dazzling. Especially when she raised her hand to lift her long hair, her profile looked charming and attractive, absolutely stunning.
Thinking about everything that happened between them last night, Joshua found himself wanting more. But then thinking about how she had given birth to two children for someone else, his chest felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
Sitting up, Joshua leaned lazily against the headboard and accused her: "Ella, you've got some nerve, getting into my bed while I was drunk."
Saying she didn't love him anymore. Then what was last night's passion and enjoyment all about? Women who say one thing and mean another are just so annoying.
Hearing this, Ella's spine stiffened. She didn't turn to look at Joshua. After quickly putting on her clothes, she got out of bed and said: "Do you even hear what you're saying?"
Joshua's face darkened, acting completely justified. "Isn't that what happened? I was drunk, I don't remember anything. And you were supposed to be at the estate, who gave you permission to come here, enter my room, and get in my bed?"
Ella really wanted to curse Joshua for being shameless. Last night it was clearly him who wouldn't let her leave, who insisted on having sex. If she didn't still love him in her heart, if she didn't feel sorry for him struggling uncomfortably, she wouldn't have given in to him. But now he's turning it all around first thing in the morning.
Ella didn't argue with him. Instead, she readily admitted: "Right, I was just after your body. Last night I forced you. What are you going to do about it?"
"You..." Joshua stared at her, not expecting Ella to admit it. Suddenly he didn't know how to respond.
He casually grabbed some clothes and put them on, avoiding her gaze guiltily, saying coldly: "I can let this go, but you're not allowed to see those two bastards for a week."
Ella objected, "Impossible. Even if I don't go during the day, I have to go at night. They can't do without me."
"If you go again, I'll have someone kill them." Joshua became cruel and bloodthirsty again, his eyes looking at her like blades. "You can try and test my limits."
Ella was furious, gritting her teeth. Meeting Joshua's gaze, she really wanted to fight him. To think she felt sorry for him last night and helped him. And now he's turning on her right after. If he really can't accept her two children, then get divorced. He won't divorce, but he wants to stop her from seeing her children. How can Joshua's heart be so cruel?
Ella knew she couldn't make Joshua angry, or he would definitely do anything. She angrily turned to leave.
Joshua sat on the bed and reminded her, "Don't forget your job."
Ella had just reached the door but had to go back to the dressing room to prepare the clothes Joshua would wear today. After Joshua finished washing up and came over, she personally helped him dress. Before they talked about divorce, she used to help him like this every morning. Back then, Ella felt happy inside. But now, as she tied his tie, she wanted to strangle him with it.
Just then, the phone on the nightstand rang. It was Joshua's. But Joshua stood there without moving, lazily ordering: "Bring it here."
Ella obediently went to get it and saw Scarlett's name on the phone screen. Her heart suddenly ached. Before she could hand the phone to Joshua, he ordered again: "Answer it, put it on speaker."
Ella did as told. From the other end came Scarlett's gentle voice. "Joshua, I'm ready, come pick me up."
Hearing Scarlett's voice, Joshua turned to stare at Ella, deliberately making his voice very soft. "Okay, I'll be right there to pick you up."
"I'll wait for you." Scarlett made a kissing sound into the phone.
Listening to this, Ella couldn't take it anymore. She threw the phone onto the bed and turned to leave. She thought she didn't care about Scarlett's existence. But after Joshua had sex with her last night, and now this morning he was going to see Scarlett, she did care. Her heart felt uncomfortable and suffocated.
Joshua picked up the phone and hung up, following her out of the room to remind her: "Drive for us later."
Hearing this, Ella stopped in her tracks and turned to glare at him viciously. "You're going on a date with Scarlett and you want me to be your driver?"
Joshua stood tall in front of Ella, not seeing anything wrong with it. "Is there a problem?"
"Why should I? Joshua, if you want to be with Scarlett, then divorce me, or let me see my children every day. Otherwise, I absolutely won't let you humiliate me like this."
This was too much. Not only won't he divorce, he also wants to stop her from seeing her children. Now he wants her to witness him dating his first love. Bullying people isn't done like this.
Joshua saw he was about to make Ella cry again. He relented, "Fine, I'll let you see your children every day, so please do your job as a driver and don't upset my girlfriend."
Afraid that if he kept looking at her pitiful expression, he'd soften again, Joshua walked past Ella with long strides. This kind of woman needs to be taught a lesson to make him feel better.
Ella didn't resist anymore. As long as she could be with her children every day, so what if she had to watch Joshua, whom she loved deeply, embrace another woman every day? After her heart completely dies, maybe it won't hurt anymore.
Suppressing her emotions, Ella followed him downstairs for breakfast. Afterward, she personally drove Joshua to the Lewis Villa to pick up Scarlett.
Although she had known about the Lewis family's existence in Emerald City since she moved into the Thomas family at 15, she had never been to the Lewis Villa. Now as the car stopped in front of the huge garden villa, Ella looked at the magnificent and luxurious building opposite. Somehow, she felt strangely familiar with it. As if she had seen it before. No, as if she had stayed inside before.
Especially seeing Mason sending Scarlett out, looking at the gentlemanly and elegant Mason, an inexplicable emotion surged in her heart. Mason also saw her sitting in the driver's seat. But after just one glance, he turned his gaze to Joshua and instructed: "Joshua, take good care of Scarlett."
He didn't know that Joshua and Ella were already married, so he was still comfortable with Scarlett going out with Joshua.
Joshua reached out to take Scarlett's hand and personally helped her into the car. The two sat in the back seat. As Ella drove away, she deliberately tilted the rearview mirror upward, not wanting to see them embracing lovingly.
However, she didn't want to look. But Joshua deliberately did it for her to see. He held Scarlett's hand, kissing it, but his eyes kept staring at Ella.
Scarlett said shyly: "Joshua, Ella is still here, this isn't good."
Joshua kept staring at Ella, replying absentmindedly: "Don't worry, she won't mind."