Even though Liesel knew Jacob was forcing her she couldn’t easily erase her feelings for him after being together for three years.
Her heart raced erratically, and she could feel his closeness. But she didn’t dare to lift her head.
Warm lips brushed against her temple, and Jacob’s breath fanned her ear, sending heat flushing through her body. A shiver of goosebumps formed on her neck, and her limbs softened involuntarily.
Liesel pushed weakly against his chest, but Jacob remained unmoved. Her voice trembled was she whispered, “Jacob, snap out of it.”
Jacob didn’t move. His lips grazed her skin as he murmured, “It’s hot…”
Liesel bit down hard on her lip. Her body trembled like a leaf. She was genuinely scared.
Jacob could sense her slight resistance. His scent wrapped around her like a heavy blanket.
“Liesel…” His voice was husky and laced with desire.
Liesel’s eyes reddened as she heard him whispering her name with a painful clarity.
“If you know I’m Liesel, then you know we’re divorced. Wake up, Jacob. I’m Liesel, not Natalie. I’m not the tool you can use however you please anymore.
Under the influence of the drug, Jacob seemed to find her words bothersome. He grabbed her arms and pinned her against the wall, then silenced her protests with another forceful kiss.
She tried to fight back, but she lost her balance and fell into his chest. Her face bumped lightly against him, and her head became heavy with dizziness.
His hands, which were resting on her sides, burned with heat as they slid up to her bare back.
Jacob’s touch seared her skin, making her body shake uncontrollably. Liesel flinched under his hands. Her breath caught as she shuddered from the heat radiating off him.
Without warning, Jacob suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace and wrapped his arms around her so firmly she began to panic.
The intense, almost frightening possessiveness he conveyed through his grip made Liesel’s breath hitch. She could feel his lips pressing into her hair, trailing down as he inhaled her scent.
He kissed along her ear, her earlobe, and down the side of her neck. Each soft kiss sent a wave of shivers through her. His breath against her skin made her heart flutter, and any
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Chapter 14
words of refusal died in her throat.
Three years together had conditioned her body to his touch and his possessiveness. How could she say no now?
Helplessly, Liesel gritted her teeth with her head buried in his chest. She couldn’t speak nor form a coherent thought. Her voice quivered as she pleaded softly, “Jacob, don’t do this.”
However, Jacob’s gaze darkened further as if her words hadn’t reached him. In a swift movement, he lifted her off the floor. Liesel couldn’t help but let out a startled cry as he carried her to the bed.
Pinned beneath him, she felt her eyes well up and her throat tighten. When Jacob’s hand pressed against her abdomen, Liesel’s entire body tensed.
“No… no, this isn’t right,” she gasped as she struggled to get away.
But Jacob caught her wrist and yanked her back, trapping her.
“Why are you running?” he rasped. He sounded as though he had sobered up slightly.
Chapter 15
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Chapter 15
Liesel loved him so much, so why was she running away?
Because she couldn’t continue like this. Even though she desperately wanted to lose. herself in Jacob, there was still the matter of the ill–timed child growing inside her.
With Jacob acting so wildly, she was truly afraid something might go wrong.
“Jacob, I’m not the one you love.”
Jacob narrowed his eyes. “But I want you.
After three years, their bodies were already so familiar with one another. Just like she couldn’t resist him, Jacob desired her too. Their skin pressed together, and even without going further, their bodies were already responding with pleasure.
Although he knew they were divorced, some part of him still told him that Liesel was his and only his.
This time, without waiting for Liesel to answer, Jacob forced another kiss on her and tied her wrists to stop her struggles.
The intensity of the night stretched on until the early morning hours.
Jacob had thoroughly fulfilled his desires. He left Liesel lying on the bed. Her body was too sore to move. Her throat was dry, and her voice was hoarse when she tried to speak.
She struggled to get out of bed but nearly collapsed to the floor. Thankfully, she caught herself against the wall before falling.
As she entered the bathroom, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her face was pale, her lips swollen, and her neck and collarbone were marked with the remnants of Jacob’s touch.
Liesel turned on the shower and let the hot water wash over her body. Her hand fell to her abdomen, and she could barely keep herself upright.
As the steam enveloped her, clarity set in. She realized why Jacob hadn’t stopped until the very end. It was because he didn’t love her. To him, she had only ever been a convenient
outlet.
That was why he’d been so relentless.
A bitter smile formed on her lips as tears finally slipped from her reddened eyes.
The love she had clung to for three years seemed to shatter in an instant. Jacob had. responded to her with cruelty. He had crushed any last shreds of affection she held for him.
She shouldn’t feel so devastated, Liesel told herself. It wasn’t a big deal. After all, they’d
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Chapter 15.
already slept together so many times when they were married, so what difference did one more time make?
It was nothing.
Yes, it was nothing.
Liesel silently repeated the thought, as if trying to convince herself. She wiped away her tears. Her body was still trembling slightly as she left the bathroom and changed into her clothes.
At least she was wearing formal attire, which helped conceal some of the discomfort she felt.
Throughout it all, she hadn’t woken Jacob, who remained fast asleep.
When she quietly left, Jacob’s tightly shut eyes slowly opened. He stared at the closed door for a long time, and a strange glint flickered in his dark gaze.
When Liesel left Ford Manor, the sky had not yet fully brightened. Before she could pull up a ride–share app, a bright red sports car rolled up beside her.
“Get in,” said Elijah.
Liesel was taken aback.
Elijah had one hand on the steering wheel as he smiled and said, “I told you I was going to pursue you. So, I’ve been keeping an eye on your every move. I thought you’d leave Ford Manor last night, but didn’t expect to see you coming out at this hour. Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Liesel hesitated before she slid into the passenger seat. “Thanks, but I don’t want to go home right now.”
The sun was just beginning to rise. She smiled faintly, almost to herself.
“Elijah, take me to watch the sunrise.”
When the sun rose, she’d treat it like a new beginning. It was a fresh start.
