divorce chapter 7

We stared at each other for a long moment before quietly slipping out of the party. We made our way to his room on the top floor of the building. The moment the door opened, we fell onto the bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. He was on top of me, looking down like a predator. He still wore that charming mask, but I knew. This man was an apex predator. 

I saw the picture-perfect muscles beneath his shirt, half-torn in his haste to remove it. His lightly tanned skin glowed enticingly in the moonlight. Sensing my gaze, he pulled off his shirt completely. “Do you like what you see?” 

“Yes…” I answered, mesmerized. His lips parted slightly, and his red tongue slowly traced his lower lip. 

“I’m glad you approve.” He removed my mask, then his own. I thought I’d seen it all, but I was wrong. 

Oh my.

He was more beautiful than any man I’d ever seen. Delicate features, perfectly symmetrical. The slight downward tilt of his eyes and the single tear-shaped mole only added to his allure. His face seemed both sorrowful and strong. 

“I’m pleased to see you find my face agreeable as well.” I nodded enthusiastically. He chuckled softly, his face slowly drawing closer to mine. Remembering what I’d learned from TV in my past life, I squeezed my eyes shut.

***

I opened my eyes to the dawn. Thanks to three years of waking up at dawn and working late into the night, my body was on autopilot. My head ached. I must have drunk too much last night. I sat up in bed, holding my head. 

“Ugh, where…?” 

I looked around. The room was unfamiliar. Then, last night came flooding back. All I could remember was the man panting above me all night, and how unbelievably good it had been. My mouth opened and closed soundlessly as I slowly began to process everything. 

“I really did drink too much.” I muttered, chewing on my lip. Thankfully, I was alone in the large bed. 

I need to get out of here.

My plan had involved eating and drinking, not rolling around in bed with a stranger. I hurried to get out of bed, but my legs gave way, and I collapsed. 

“I… I can’t…” I could only manage a shaky laugh at my helpless state. I grabbed onto something nearby and managed to pull myself up. I found some water and the welcome snacks laid out on a table, and after eating them, I felt some strength return. I clumsily managed to dress. 

He must have been embarrassed when morning came.

He’d seemed like a genuinely decent man during our brief conversation. Maybe he’d left the room, regretting last night. A bitter taste filled my mouth. 

This place is meant for these kinds of encounters anyway.

I took one last look around the room, then left without a second glance. My priority was getting back to my accommodations. Nina usually woke me, but the maid my father had assigned would definitely come in during breakfast.

***

Thankfully, the carriage Nina had arranged was waiting outside the party venue. The driver, as if this were a common occurrence, didn’t ask any questions, simply driving me back to the villa. He took a back route, dropping me off a short distance away. As I cautiously approached the villa, a portable ladder extended down from my second-floor bedroom window. 

Nina, you brilliant woman.

I marveled at her impeccable planning. I decided to double her wages when I got back, then climbed the ladder. As I climbed through the window, Nina, who had been pretending to be me in bed, rushed over. 

“Miss, I’m so glad you made it back in time.” 

“I’ll never forget this, not until the day I die.” 

“Quickly, change into your nightgown.” Nina swiftly undressed me and helped me into a nightgown. As I quickly slipped into bed, Nina called out in an exaggeratedly loud voice, “Oh dear, you’re not feeling well, Miss? Shall I have your breakfast brought to your room?” 

“Mmm.” 

“I’ll tell them to make something easy to digest.” Nina bustled out of the room. Finally safe in my own room, tucked into my comfortable bed, a deep sense of relief washed over me. And I drifted off to sleep.

***

My vacation flew by. I continued to enjoy myself after that night, but I steered clear of the party venue. The aftertaste had been too unpleasant. Nina and I spent our time playing by the sea and relaxing, waiting for the moment in the original story where Lennard meets the heroine. Back in the capital after the long vacation, “Estelle, look how tanned you are from being outside!” 

“What, was I supposed to stay indoors at a resort? I went out to enjoy myself.”