Chapter 10

Chapter 10
Willow POV
I woke, staring blankly at the ceiling above, lost in thought.
My expression was heartbreaking. Charles felt even more guilty. "Honey, I'm sorry. I…"
My gaze settled on his face. "We've been married a few days. Have you counted how many times you've apologized to me?"
Charles opened his mouth. No words came out.
After a long pause, he gripped my hand guiltily. "I promise this is the last time. When I got Sterling's call, I was terrified. Willow, I'm afraid of losing you."
I looked at his remorseful face. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
Charles met my eyes. He felt like I was seeing straight through him.
He should confess his dark thoughts. Tell me he'd tampered with the brakes. But thinking about how disappointed I'd be when I knew the truth—the words stuck in his throat.
"When the accident happened, I'd already reacted." His silence chilled my heart. "I was driving slowly, but the brakes wouldn't respond at all. I watched myself crash into the car ahead."
"Willow…" Charles wanted me to stop.
But my voice continued.
"Charles, how long have you had this car? Less than a month, right? A million-dollar car, and the brakes fail this fast?"
"You knew I was in an accident before. You knew I'm traumatized by driving. That moment in the crash—do you know how I felt?"
Memories from an hour ago overlapped with those from years past. Despair nearly shattered me.
Seeing the disappointment in my eyes, Charles was filled with regret. "Willow, I didn't know. I really didn't know it would turn out like this."
"It's my fault. Hit me if you want. As long as you can calm down…" He pressed my hand toward his face.
I coldly pulled my hand back.
I knew Charles too well. If I actually hit him like he suggested, he'd just assume the matter was settled.
"I'll go to work on Monday as scheduled. If there's a problem with this job, we're getting divorced." I stated.
Charles naturally agreed to everything at this point. "Okay, go to work. I'll wake up an hour early every day to drive you to the company, and pick you up after work."
I'd only been frightened, not actually injured. Once my emotions calmed, I had Charles take me home.
Charles was still worried, wanting me to stay under observation another day. I refused.
I really didn't like hospitals.
"You can go home, but if you feel unwell at all, tell me immediately." Charles instructed.
I agreed.
By the time we got home, it was already dark.
Charles had the driver take the damaged car to the shop, and had Rena prepare some nourishing food for me.
I had no appetite. I took a few bites and got up to rest upstairs.
Seeing this, Charles followed.
Upstairs in the bedroom.
Physically and mentally exhausted, I just wanted to shower and sleep early.
When Charles entered, I'd only half-undressed, revealing a slender, graceful waist.
Charles's eyes instantly darkened.
These past days, knowing my mood was bad, Charles hadn't wanted to push. This only made his desire for me accumulate deeper. Just one look from me could set him off.
I hadn't noticed his reaction. I set my clothes aside. "Do you need something?"
Charles was somewhat dissatisfied with my attitude. "Honey, this is our room."
Since I'd chosen to maintain this marriage temporarily, my behavior was indeed inappropriate.
Thinking this, when Charles approached to hold me, I didn't refuse.
"Honey, are you still mad at me?" Charles bent down, burying his head in my neck, his tone cautious.
I suppressed the resistance in my heart. "No. I'm just tired."
As soon as I spoke, Charles's hand on my waist moved.
When he spoke, his voice carried obvious desire. "Honey, let's make love. We've been married so long, and we still haven't consummated our marriage…"
He looked up at me. "A healthy sex life makes couples closer. You've been so distant lately. I feel insecure."
He lowered his head to kiss my lips.
His attention was entirely on my lips, so he didn't notice the heavy sarcasm in my eyes when I heard those words.
"I'm not in the mood tonight." I pulled free from his embrace.
"Willow." His mood interrupted, and having been rebuffed too long, Charles's expression turned cold.
I said wearily, "I just got in a car accident today. I came back from the hospital. I'm really tired right now. I just want to sleep."
Mentioning the accident made Charles's expression shift.
He relented. "You're right. I was too hasty."
I lowered my eyes. "Okay."
"Let me hold you while you sleep tonight." Charles requested.
I agreed.
Charles held me in his arms. He slept deeply, but I barely slept all night.
Early the next morning.
Just when I was finally about to fall asleep, Charles woke me again.
"Honey, I bought some gifts. Let's go thank Sterling in a bit." Charles gently called me.
After speaking, his eyes tender, he kissed my face.
These past days I'd been so distant. Only now, when I was asleep, could he see the softness I used to show.
I slowly opened my eyes. Remembering yesterday's events, I really should thank Sterling properly in person.
Also, I'd crashed into his car—I didn't know if Sterling had been hurt…
Half an hour later, Charles drove us to Sterling's place.
On the road, having slept poorly, my complexion was awful.
Charles thought I was afraid of Sterling and tried to comfort me. "I'll be with you. Don't be nervous."
I saw my pale face in the rearview mirror and pulled out my makeup bag for touch-ups.
Sterling lived near the Lancaster Group Building, in a luxury apartment in the city center.
Charles also had property in this complex. He entered the gates without obstruction.
When the car stopped at Sterling's apartment building, Charles's phone rang.
I got out first to get the gifts.
After a moment, Charles got out. "Honey, a client's coming today. I need to entertain them. I might not be able to go with you. Will you be okay alone?"
I looked up at him. Charles's eyes were evasive.
"Sterling won't make things difficult for you. If anything happens, just call me." He said.
I withdrew my gaze from him, lips twitching slightly. "Work is important. Go ahead."
Charles's shoulders visibly relaxed. Before leaving, he grabbed my hand and kissed it. "I'll pick you up when I'm done."
With that, he hurried into the car and left.
I took the gifts into the apartment building.
From our previous encounters, I could confirm he hadn't recognized me. He also didn't seem as cold-hearted as rumors suggested.
I rang the doorbell. The door opened.
Sterling wore casual loungewear, his shirt carelessly open, revealing tight abs.