Chapter 41 Virus

Chapter 41 Virus
Gloria's POV:

I practically threw myself into Kai's arms.

But he carried a faint trace of unfamiliar perfume.

No need to guess. It had to be from that bitch Erin.

But I didn't care. His earlier words "I have no interest in her" had given me enough confidence.

Kai always put profit first.

Five years ago, I used my father's influence and bedroom skills to seduce him into cheating with me. I could do it again now!

"I knew you had your priorities straight."

I stood on my tiptoes and bit his earlobe, my voice dripping with honeyed sweetness.

"What can that woman do besides playing innocent? How could she compare to how well I know you?"

I pressed my lips to his, my tongue skillfully prying open his teeth.

Kai's response was direct.

His arms suddenly locked around my waist, pressing me tightly against him. He kissed me fiercely and urgently, with suppressed heat.

I matched his rhythm, letting out loud, enticing moans.

I knew Kai's preferences too well. He liked me this wild, it ignited his desire.

At the moment of climax, a name spilled clearly from Kai's throat into my ear: "Erin."

That name instantly pierced through all my pretense and excitement.

I shoved him away hard, backing barefoot to the bed edge. My chest heaved violently as I pointed at his nose and shrieked.

"Who did you just call? Kai, explain yourself! Did you hook up with that bitch!"

Kai was stunned by my push, then irritation flashed across his face. He grabbed a towel and casually wrapped it around his waist.

"What are you making a fuss about? It's just a name."

I trembled with rage, my nails digging deep into my palms.

"I think you're rekindling old feelings for her! She seduced you!"

"Enough!"

Kai barked, his brow furrowed tight.

"Yes, I admit I have thoughts about her. She's hooked up with someone from the Baker family now, so she's useful. But Gloria, get this straight. I'm engaged to you for our families' cooperation. Don't throw tantrums at me."

"Useful? I don't believe it! You just want to sleep with her!"

I felt like I'd heard the biggest joke, tears instantly welling up.

His voice was cold as ice: "Keep making a scene and I'll call off the engagement."

The words "call off the engagement" made me freeze instantly.

This cold-blooded man. I'd shamelessly followed him for five years, even when everyone mocked me for stealing my own sister's fiancé. I didn't care. But now he wanted to break our engagement for that bitch Erin.

He turned and walked into the bathroom. As the water started running, his voice came out.

"Don't stay here tonight. Go home and cool off."

I bit my lip, holding back tears as I put on my clothes and fled the villa in embarrassment.

When I got home, the living room lights were on.

Mom was sitting on the sofa waiting for me. Seeing my swollen eyes, she immediately stood up.

"Weren't you supposed to sleep at Kai's? Why are you back?"

I couldn't hold back anymore. I threw myself into her arms and cried loudly, telling her everything that had happened.

Mom's face turned livid with anger. She slammed her palm on the coffee table.

"Erin's mother Avery stole my man back then, and now her daughter wants to steal my daughter's fiancé! Why doesn't that bitch just die!"

The accumulated fury and hatred burned in my chest. I clenched my fists, my eyes turning vicious.

"Mom, I can't wait another day. Tomorrow we'll send Erin to Talia's cousin Luca."

Mom was startled, then a flash of cruelty appeared in her eyes.

"Good! Your father has been coughing and feverish lately. Tomorrow I'll call Erin and say her father is seriously ill, get her to come back."

I let out a cold laugh, remembering what Talia had told me. Luca loved torturing women with piercings and skinning, using extremely cruel methods.

Mom reached out to wipe my tears.

I leaned into Mom's embrace, a happy smile curving my lips.

Erin's POV:

Only Harrison and I were in the dining room.

Three days now, and Kingsley still hadn't shown up. He was definitely doing this on purpose.

That day at the shooting range, his voice calling me "stupid woman" still echoed in my ears, bringing back waves of grievance and anger.

I hadn't done anything wrong. I just treated Kai, who had helped me, to dinner. What right did he have to insult me like that?

What right did he have to look at me with such disgust?

When I arrived at the equestrian club after breakfast, several colleagues were already changing in the locker room.

Seeing me come in, one colleague came over and lowered her voice.

"Erin, you need to take care of your health lately. Don't catch a cold."

"What's wrong?" I asked while changing into my work uniform.

"There's a virus going around recently. It's highly contagious."

My colleague's face was somewhat pale.

"It causes high fever and lung infections. I heard several hospitals are full of patients, and yesterday someone didn't make it... You interact with many people, so be careful."

My heart tightened, and I quickly nodded.

"Thanks for warning me. I'll be careful."

After changing, I touched my forehead. Fortunately, no signs of fever.

But thinking about the virus's severity made me inexplicably uneasy.

The morning work was busy. After taking care of several spirited horses, I was exhausted and leaned against the stable to catch my breath.

My phone suddenly rang. The name "Hilda" flashing on the screen made me frown.

Why would my stepmother think to call me?

I hung up directly. I didn't want to hear that vicious woman's voice.

When Mom was still alive, she would always bully us when Dad wasn't home.

Once when Mom was hospitalized, she locked me in the storage room and starved me for a whole day.

I cried and begged for mercy, but she took a needle and secretly pricked my arm several times, threatening that if I dared tell Dad, she'd throw me in the river to feed the fish.

Those tiny needle marks were hidden under my sleeves. No one noticed, but only I knew how much my arm hurt at night.

After Mom died, she became even worse, secretly treating me like a servant.

Every time I thought about these things, I felt nauseous.

But within minutes, my phone rang again. This time it was my brother's number.

I hesitated, then answered.

"Erin, you need to come back quickly."

My brother's voice carried a heavy tone.

"Dad is very sick. He's been feverish and coughing, can't eat anything."

My heart sank suddenly.

Dad... I had no love left for him.

I hated his coldness, his favoritism.

But my brother's words still pierced my heart like needles.

I remembered when I was little, Dad used to carry me on his shoulders, laughing and calling me his little princess...

Those blurry warm moments made it impossible for me to refuse.

"I understand."

I hung up and took a deep breath.

No matter what, he was still my father.