Celia's red eyes were brimming with tears, the glistening crystal-like water hinting at her inner turmoil. All of his previous tenderness and care had been nothing but a facade. Now, he was revealing his true nature.
"I'm Nathaniel's girlfriend. He's better than you!"
Nathaniel froze for a moment. A dark cloud shadowed his features, and then he let out a harsh laugh, his anger barely contained.
"Really? I thought it was Nathaniel who couldn't satisfy you, and that's why you couldn't wait to climb into his uncle's bed."
Tears began to fall from Celia's eyes, one by one. Her gaze remained fixed on him, her voice soft and choked with sobs. "Nathaniel, you're a bastard... I hate you."
Nathaniel quickly closed his eyes, as if blocking out the emotions she was stirring in him. He reached out and swiftly yanked her belt off. He hated her, but... she didn't care for him either.
"Why are you crying? Do you feel wronged?" he taunted.
"Didn't you sleep with me the first day I returned to the country? I was drunk, sleeping soundly, and you climbed on top of me. Did you tell Nathaniel about that?"
"You're not my wife at all. You pretended to be my wife. When I held you in my arms and kissed you while you slept, did you ever think about Nathaniel, caught between us? Did you feel accomplished then?"
"Celia, you provoked me first!"
No.
That wasn't how it went.
She'd been caught up in a trap the moment he returned to the country. She never wanted to play this role of a substitute.
Just as she was about to speak, the sound of a ringtone filled the room.
A name appeared on her phone screen: Nathaniel.
It was a call from Nathaniel.
Celia's hand trembled as she grasped her phone, as if holding onto a lifeline. "Nathaniel's calling. Let me go, or I'll tell him you bullied me."
Nathaniel pinched her face, his grip like iron. His eyes gleamed with a cruel amusement. "Oh? Then I'll just tell Nathaniel that his girlfriend was restless and tried to seduce his uncle in the middle of the night. Do you think he'll believe you?"
Celia stood frozen, unable to reply. She couldn't fathom how shameless he could be.
Nathaniel had been staying next door. Was this all some sick game he was playing on purpose?
The phone kept ringing.
"Answer it," Nathaniel demanded coldly. "If you don't, my nephew will come knocking at our door. Or, if you find that exciting, go ahead and pick up."
Celia shook in fear but knew she had no choice.
She pressed the button and Nathaniel's voice came through immediately.
"Celia, are you hungry? I'll go out and buy you some midnight snacks, okay?"
Nathaniel glanced at her, taking in the disheveled state of her clothes, her long black hair tangled around her face and neck, her red lips swollen from his kiss, her scent still lingering in the air.
She was crying as she spoke to Nathaniel, looking so pitiful, trying to hold back her sobs. Her voice had taken on a soft, tender quality. Celia bit her lip, swallowing the lump in her throat. "No need."
The voice she used after crying was different—fragile, vulnerable. Nathaniel couldn't help but wonder who she was really trying to seduce.
Nathaniel continued speaking on the other end, oblivious to the tension. "Alright, Celia. Get some rest. I'll take you to breakfast tomorrow."
She tried to speak, but before she could, Nathaniel's large hand shot out, snatching the phone from her grasp and hanging up.
He leaned over, his breath cold against her ear. "So, you used that voice to talk to Nathaniel. If I weren't here tonight, you would've ended up sleeping together, right?"
Slap.
Celia raised her hand and slapped him hard, her palm connecting with his cheek.
Last time, she hit him on the right side. This time, it was the left.
Nathaniel was thrown off-balance, his head tilting to the side as he recovered from the blow.
He touched the spot where she'd slapped him, his tongue brushing his cheek. But the moment he recovered, he picked up a pillow and placed it over her tear-streaked face, kissing her lips roughly.
She didn't deserve to be pitied.