Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0114

Just as I was about to jostle Nicholas out of the room, Claudia knocked. But her knock was far from a display of basic courtesy.

While my lips were still entangled with Nicholas’s, she barged in. “Nick!”

Upon seeing us, she paled, and her entire body started trembling. Looking frightened and anxious, she glanced around and suddenly darted toward us.

With all her might, she squeezed herself between us. Despite her petite frame, she managed to force me against the wall, showing just how much strength she was using.

“Nick, I dreamed… I dreamed that my arm was bleeding profusely!” she sobbed. “It hurts! And I heard someone say that they’re going to kill me!”

The guest room’s bed was very hard, but I found a comfortable position from which to watch the drama unfold nonetheless.

I found it amusing to see how she portrayed herself as the victim in her self–scripted drama. If she was truly tormented by nightmares as Nicholas claimed, she probably deserved it as an evil schemer.

Despite her vicious nature, she’d always succeed in fooling Nicholas with her innocent facade. He took her in his embrace and crooned, “I’ll comfort you to sleep.”

He was such a responsible brother, indeed.

Disheartened by Claudia’s predicament, he strode quickly to her room. Their figures slowly faded away as they moved toward her room while chatting.

“Nick, I feel so dizzy. Can I stay home from school tomorrow? I want to stay at home for a day. Can you accompany me? I’m scared.”

I got up and closed the door before returning to my bed. A smirk played on my lips. Was that the limit of Claudia’s patience?

It had merely been days since I got along with Nicholas–it was less than half a month. But it seemed like her patience was even thinner than I had imagined. So, it turned out that such a minor action could provoke her easily.

My fingers unconsciously dug into the edge of the bed as I clenched onto the sheets. When I finally came to my senses, I realized I’d dug a hole in the sheets.

Capler 1114

+25 BONUS

I couldn’t afford to play games with Nicholas, but I could find a loophole in Claudia’s actions. I was determined to provoke her.

That night, I made the boldest decision of my life. I sneaked into the room that no longer belonged to me despite living in it for four years. I’d let Claudia know that I could lure Nicholas away in no time with just a snap of my fingers.

She liked to plot against me, didn’t she? I thought her efforts were mediocre. I wanted her to know that I was her biggest nemesis and competitor. She could hurl whatever tricks she had up her sleeve at me, but I was confident in dealing with her.

Claudia’s innocent, pitiable nature was not who she really was. I vowed to make her reveal her true colors.

Initially, I intended to sneak beneath Nicholas’s covers like what the consorts did with the king in the past. But when I closed the door and turned around stealthily, I realized that they weren’t sleeping together,

The bedroom was dimly lit with a soft, yellow nightlight. Nicholas sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixated on the sleeping Claudia. Sparks flew in the seemingly tranquil night.

Nicholas was momentarily stunned when he saw me, but his frown in the next instant was enough to shatter the calm facade that we had maintained for the past few days.

My heart throbbed along with the change of his expression.

He rose, placing a finger on his lips to signal me to stay silent. Yet, I braced myself and dashed toward him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I yanked him toward me and kissed him fervently.

Attempting to take the initiative, I inched my tongue further into his mouth. Nicholas was perplexed, but he didn’t push me away. Instead, he responded passionately.

The sexual tension between us was overwhelming now compared to a few months ago. I yanked at his clothes, purposely creating a lot of noise.

With his rationality still intact, Nicholas held my hand and nibbled on my earlobe. “Are you insane?” he rasped.

was i

I out of my mind. I clung to him, just like the countless nights of longing I’d experienced before. “Honey, take me.”

+25 BONUS

He peppered my face with kisses, starting from my earlobe and reaching the tip of my nose. His eyes had already turned bloodshot with lust, and his breathing grew labored.

“You vixen.”

Adding fuel to his desires, I licked my lips and smirked. “Don’t worry. Claudia’s already asleep.”

Nicholas’s voice dropped to a lower baritone as he caressed my body.

“I can’t tonight. I’ll satisfy you tomorrow,” he said despite himself.

“But Claudia will be home tomorrow. I just checked and I’m clean now. And I’ve already showered,” I implored, just like what I used to do before.

This conversation sounded familiar, so Nicholas smooched me hard. As if he’d made a hard decision, he said, “Come on. Be a good girl.”

This was his way of comforting me. He used to do this all the time, painting a grand picture but not fulfilling his promises. He still hadn’t made up for the honeymoon he owed me.

My heart fluttered. Sometimes, it was hard to distinguish between the past and present. I felt a dull ache blooming in my chest.

Nicholas released me, and he nudged me away gently. Seeing that he had gradually regained his composure, I reached out to my right shoulder.

The loose elastic neckline of my pajamas fell away with a gentle pull, revealing my smooth skin. The moonlight also seemed to favor me by casting a glow on my body.

Standing three steps away from him, I pulled my pajama top further down until half of my breasts were exposed.

Nicholas could no longer hold back. He pounced at me and scooped me up in his arms. The room was spacious, but his strides were large as well. I propped myself up and lapped at his Adam’s apple.

“Mrs. Hawk, you won’t be able to beg for mercy later!” he cursed.