Chapter 286

Chapter 286
Ophelia’s POV

"Are you simply that cheap?"

His words sliced deeper than any physical wound. Tears gathered in my eyes as I fought to keep them contained. I'd only wanted to see him, to be near him for a little longer. But he didn't understand—or worse, he didn't care.

"You've been so curious about why I faked my death six years ago," he said suddenly, his expression hardening.

"Did you think this pathetic display would change anything? Can't you see why I've been avoiding you? If I truly loved you, would I act this way?" His voice rose with each question until he was nearly shouting.

"I. Don't. Love. You. I never did—not six years ago, not now! I married you because of your mother! I gained your trust to get to Rose Clarke! Everything was about capturing her. My 'death' was just to escape you. Do you understand now?"

The tears I'd been fighting spilled over. I sat up, wiping them away with the back of my hand.

"If you don't care for me at all," I challenged, my voice shaking, "why did you bring me to your home when I got sick? You're lying, Finnegan! You do care—"

"I brought you here because you're Ivy's mother," he interrupted, his face expressionless. "Nothing more."

"Liar!" I shouted, crawling to the edge of the bed. "I don't believe you!"

I swung my legs over the side and stood on bare feet, determined to confront him face to face.

His eyes widened as they dropped to my feet. Only then did I remember the state they were in—swollen like dumplings from frostbite, angry red and purple discoloration spreading across them. I felt no pain as I hobbled toward him, but his reaction told me everything I needed to know.

Before I could reach him, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me onto his lap. "What have you done?" he demanded, his voice hoarse. "Why are your feet in this condition? What did the doctor say?"

His hand moved toward my inflamed feet, but I pulled away. "You just said you don't really care about me," I reminded him through my tears. "You shouldn't be concerned now!"

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said in a rough voice, "Promise me you won't do this to yourself again."

"Are you only concerned because I'm Ivy's mother?" I asked, unable to keep the desperation from my voice. "Did you never love me at all?"

"Perhaps twelve years ago," he answered quietly.

His words pierced my heart. Twelve years—so distant it might as well have been another lifetime. Were all my feelings, my loyalty, my grief for nothing?

I leaned my forehead against his shoulder, unable to hold back my tears. Each one that fell seemed to burn into his skin.

"So there's really no chance for us anymore, is there?" I whispered into his shoulder.

"No," he replied without hesitation.

"We'll never be together again?"

"Correct."

His lips were pressed into a tight line, his expression blank, but his eyes held a turbulent darkness I couldn't decipher.

"Alright..." I said, my voice trembling. I hugged him tightly before slowly releasing him. "Have your driver take me back to the hotel."

His hands instinctively tightened around my waist. "Stay tonight."

"If you can't give me what I want, please let me go," I begged. "I'm asking you—"

My tears fell on his shoulder, each one seeming to burn through to his heart. His grip on my waist tightened until I thought he might break me in half.

I raised my tear-streaked face to his. "You know, just an hour ago, I said these exact same words to another man. I rejected him just as firmly as you're rejecting me. Maybe this is karma, don't you think?"

He stared into my eyes, complex emotions flickering in his gaze before he said simply, "Leave tomorrow."

"You know I can't leave once you ask me to stay," I sniffled.

Without responding, he wheeled us back to the bed and gently placed me under the covers.

"Did the doctor give you ointment for the frostbite?" he asked.

I nodded. "I haven't applied it yet."

He picked up the tube from my nightstand and patted his thigh. "Here."

I hesitated. "Can your legs handle it?"

"If I recall correctly," he said sarcastically, "someone weighing nearly a hundred pounds was just sitting on my lap."

"I'm only ninety five pounds!" I protested, placing my right foot on his thigh. "That's ten pounds short of a hundred!"

He examined my swollen foot, his brow furrowing as he shot me a silent reproach.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed when he suddenly pinched the arch of my foot, making me yelp in pain.

"What was that for?" I demanded.

"Have you learned your lesson?" he asked severely, his hands becoming gentler as he massaged the ointment into my skin. The contrast between his cold words and tender touch sent electric currents through my body.

"Other foot," he instructed once he'd finished.

As I switched feet, I couldn't resist asking, "Is this for Ivy's sake too?"

He looked up, his expression complicated, but didn't answer.

I leaned back against the headboard, sniffling. "You know how stubborn I am. The more you push me away, the more I want... you." My cheeks flushed at my own boldness.

Moving closer, I continued, "What's so bad about me, Finnegan? I gave you a child, our parents raised her for you—haven't I done enough to deserve you? What are you still resisting?"

I daringly climbed onto his lap again, looking down at him with an unmistakable invitation in my eyes. "Even if you don't love me, surely the debt you owe me is enough to last a lifetime?"

He looked up at me calmly. "And what's so good about me? I'm disabled. I can barely take care of myself. What use am I to you?"

I cupped his face in my hands, a smile breaking through my tears. "So you finally admit it. You've been pushing me away because you don't want to burden me." I leaned closer. "As for your usefulness..."

"Ophelia Clarke!" he warned sharply.

"You asked what use you are," I continued. "I was just about to demonstrate..."

He gripped my chin, forcing my face closer to his. "Stop testing my patience!" His expression was fierce enough to devour me whole.

"Or maybe you just can't handle being tested," I taunted.

His eyes darkened dangerously. "If it's games you want to play, I'm happy to oblige."

A delicious warmth spread across my cheeks as I realized the barrier between us had finally begun to crack.