Chapter 16 Indirect Kissing

Freya Stone had a strange dream. She was entwined by two large snakes, struggling for breath. Just when she thought she was about to suffocate, a light appeared, and she desperately held onto it...

As she thought she was about to be saved, she was abruptly startled awake. Opening her eyes, she saw a tall, disheveled man standing menacingly in front of her, as if ready to devour her.

She instantly became alert, rising and huddling in the corner of the couch. Stammering, she asked, "What...What are you doing?"

Her voice was hoarse, tinged with a slight tremor, as if just waking up.

Elijah sneered sarcastically. Wasn't she the one who intentionally loosened his robe? And now she acted as if she were terrified?

"Did you decide you needed a man and tried to take advantage of me while pretending to sleep?" he mocked.

Freya's breath caught, her fingers slowly curling. Defiantly, she glared at him, "I didn't!"

Elijah clearly didn't believe her. "Really?"

Without warning, he pressed down on her. His proximity carried a refreshing yet oppressive aura, full of aggression. Instinctively, she reached out to block. Her soft hands touched Elijah's chest. The sudden contact made him tense. Slowly lowering his gaze, he saw her hands.

Her hands were pretty, especially her fingers—slender and adorned with a bone ring. Her fair skin was delicate. Elijah felt an inexplicable restlessness, attributing the discomfort to her intentionally provoking him. Closing the distance further, he said, "Can't live without a man? Trying to be lascivious with me?"

Freya Stone bit her lip. "You're shameless!"

"Me? Shameless?" Elijah laughed lightly, his voice low and resonant, as if emanating from his chest. "Isn't it you who intentionally touched me?"

Only then did Freya realize that she had been afraid of him getting too close. Her hands were still on his chest, touching his chest. She withdrew them abruptly, feeling the lingering warmth.

She was at a loss, not knowing where to place her eyes.

Clearing her throat, she explained, "I didn't mean to."

Her breath was sweet, tempting. Elijah, too, felt a surge of impulse.

However, he restrained himself, appearing calm as if unaffected by any worldly desires. Straightening up, he leisurely tied his robe. "I'm hungry."

Freya Stone, momentarily stunned.

Elijah glanced at her and, seeing her immobile, thought she was unwilling to prepare food for him. He sneered, "Even if you don't want to, you're my wife now. Whatever I ask you to do, you have to do it!"

Freya tightly pursed her lips, his words stabbing painfully at her heart. Yet, she couldn't argue back. She got up from the sofa and went to the kitchen.

Having not eaten dinner, she was a bit hungry. There was leftover food from Linda, which she heated up and quickly brought to the table.

"Done," she called out to the living room.

Elijah walked over, glanced at the dining table, expressionless. Freya remained as inconspicuous as possible, attempting to minimize her presence. Fortunately, Elijah didn't find fault, but Freya, being weak-willed, almost threw up after a couple of bites.

She endured the nausea at the dining table, then got up to go to the bathroom.

This time, she vomited. Suddenly, she realized she hadn't had her period this month. Her menstrual cycle was quite regular.

An uneasy feeling crept over her.

Could she be pregnant?

No, impossible.

She had taken contraceptive pills. She must be overthinking; everything was fine, she reassured herself. She returned to the dining table, but her mind remained restless. Absentmindedly, she picked up a spoon and took a mouthful of soup. When she swallowed, she met Elijah's strange gaze.

Her heart tightened.

Had she offended him again?

Thinking about it, she couldn't recall doing anything wrong.

"Um, is the food not to your liking?" She forced a smile while internally wishing she could stab him with a knife.

Was he determined to torment her at every turn?

Should she have poisoned the food?

Elijah picked up a piece of broccoli, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, his expression intriguing. Freya couldn't be bothered with him. When she lowered her head to continue eating, she noticed her spoon still beside her bowl. The one in her hand...

She looked up.

Elijah's spoon was gone.

Her mind suddenly seemed to explode.

Had she just used his spoon?

"Freya Stone, you like me?" Elijah asked casually, his expression containing a hint of amusement. And he himself didn’t understand why he felt in the mood.

"I..." Freya wanted to explain, but she didn't know how to speak. The fact was that she used the spoon he used, and when she drank the soup just now, she even licked the spot where he touched his mouth.

Ah—

Was this indirect kissing?

"I didn't mean to..."

"If you want to kiss me, just say it. No need to beat around the bush."

Elijah wiped his mouth with a paper napkin, rose up slowly and glanced at her. He continued with a shallow, wry smile, his tone mocking. "For a woman like you, who seems ready to pounce on any man, isn't it strange not to have any thoughts about me?"

Freya Stone was speechless.

Was this man narcissistic?

He thought she had any thoughts on him? Unless all men in the world were dead!

"This is an accident. Don't worry. I have absolutely no thoughts about you. If I did, I would be struck by thunder and die badly!" She swore and tried her best to deny it.

Elijah narrowed his eyes.

How dare this woman swore such a vicious oath?

Didn't she want to live anymore?

He didn't get angry, but looked at her with a smile and asked, "I heard that you will never be a doctor again?"

Freya looked up suddenly, making no secret of her hatred for him!

Elijah laughed. He felt happy as he saw her angry face.

"How can I get you to spare me?" she asked, her voice low.

Although Jack Silverton had paid her mother's medical bills for her, Freya and her mother would have to live together in the future. With no work, no income, how could she give her mother a good life? Moreover, the profession of a doctor was her passionate ideal.

Elijah was in a good mood, probably because he felt delighted when he saw that she was suppressed and had no trace of arrogance.

"Behave well, and I might show mercy."

He took a step and paused, giving her a chance or perhaps deliberately making things difficult. "I have a social engagement at Blue Bridge tonight. If you still want your job, you can come and find me."

Freya Stone, clenching her fists, knew he wouldn't be that easy to deal with. "I understand."

Elijah went upstairs, and she tidied up the dining table, but she couldn't sleep anymore. Freya finally drifted off as the sky began to brighten. When she woke up, it was nearly noon. Having not bathed all night, she took advantage of Elijah's absence to shower.

Opening the bedroom door, she then discovered...