Chapter 136

Chapter 136
Rhett's POV

When she tried to enter the house, I stepped in front of her.

"Stop being upset with me. Please?"

I looked down at her, but she kept her eyes lowered, apparently too tired to even argue anymore.

This frustrated me more than her anger would have. I'd prefer her shouting, cursing—anything but this silent resignation.

I gently stroked her hair. "Don't shut me out, okay?"

After dropping Cherisse at the hospital, I'd rushed straight back home, not lingering a moment longer than necessary. I'd been worried she'd be waiting anxiously.

Sheryl's expression remained cool, her bright eyes unreadable.

When she didn't speak, I tilted her face up and pressed my lips against hers.

She tried to pull away, but I caught her hands and wrapped them around my waist, forcing her to embrace me.

My kiss was urgent and demanding, leaving her no escape. We'd been apart for two days, and coming home to this cold reception—with even her smiles feeling forced—was unbearable.

Although I understood her jealousy over Cherisse, this level of coldness seemed disproportionate.

With my height and strength, I easily held her captive in my arms, her hands firmly secured, her body unable to move.

My kiss was domineering, the faint mint taste in my mouth sharp and insistent.

Sensing her reluctance, I gradually softened, teasing her tongue with gentler strokes.

When she stopped struggling, I released her hands and circled one arm around her slender waist, using my other hand to cup her face as I continued kissing her tenderly.

Suddenly, I tasted salt. Opening my eyes, I realized the face in my palm was wet with tears.

My brow furrowed as I broke the kiss.

So that's why she'd stopped fighting—she was crying. Crying hard enough to break my heart.

I swallowed hard, my voice hoarse. "Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?"

Sheryl remained silent, tears streaming down her face, the corners of her eyes reddened.

She looked more pitiful than the stray kitten we'd found.

Something clenched in my chest as I cupped her face in both hands. "Sheryl, talk to me."

My tone wasn't commanding but gently coaxing.

Sheryl seemed at a loss for words, unsure where to begin.

She just looked devastated—so devastated her tears flowed beyond her control.

"I was too impatient. I shouldn't have forced that kiss on you," I said, trying to soothe her. "I know Cherisse bothers you, and I promised I'd send her away after some time."

The palms cradling her face grew damp with her tears, making my brow furrow with concern.

"But it's not possible right now. Having her in Boston still serves a purpose."

I placed a light kiss on her lips. "Don't be so cold with me, okay?"

Seeing my attempts to console her weren't working, I kissed away her tears, continuing to whisper, "I lost control because I missed you so much."

"I wanted to hold you, kiss you, make love to you," I said hoarsely against her ear. "If you don't want to, I won't force you. But please don't be upset anymore, alright?"

In all my life, I'd never learned how to properly comfort someone. More importantly, no one had ever made me humble myself this way.

Just when I thought I'd failed to reach her, a pair of arms slowly encircled my trim waist and tightened.

I exhaled in relief, my lips curving into a smile as I looked down into those tear-stained eyes. "Not angry anymore?"

Sheryl pressed her lips together and shook her head. When she spoke, her voice was still raspy. "I wasn't angry... just unhappy."

But I suspected her unhappiness stemmed from more than just Cherisse. Perhaps other things had happened during my absence.

All her emotional breaking points had accumulated, finally erupting in this moment, in my presence.

"Why unhappy?" I asked softly. "What happened while I was gone these past two days?"

What happened? Whatever ugly business had occurred between Robert and Christine, Sheryl seemed unable to voice it.

"I just miss my mother," she said quietly.

Her voice was so soft, so vulnerable—I'd never heard Sheryl sound so fragile.

I put my arm around her shoulders and pointed to a star in the sky that flickered dimly, nearly lost in the darkness.

"When I was young, someone told me that people who've passed away become stars in the sky."

Back then, I'd thought whoever said that was mentally deficient. I never believed in such things.

As I spoke, Sheryl looked up, taking in my profile, the sharp line of my jaw, and the faint smile playing on my lips.

I turned to meet her gaze, my smile deepening. "I, Rhett Hayes, promise before this star today: if I ever betray Sheryl, may I live without wife or children and die a miserable death."

The words had barely left my mouth when a cool hand quickly covered it.

Sheryl stepped back from my embrace, frowning in clear displeasure. "Why would you say something like that?"

These weren't pleasant words to hear.

If... if there ever came a day when I betrayed her, she would simply walk away and never see me again.

Unwilling to continue this conversation, she pulled my hand toward the house. "Come on, let's go inside."

I laughed as she tugged at my arm. It seemed I'd successfully appeased her.

I moved closer, arm around her shoulders, and whispered in her ear.

"So, can I have you tonight?"

My voice was seductive in the darkness.

The question made her ear tips flush red with embarrassment as she hurried into the house.