Chapter 4

Sterling answered her with disdain, "Go take a shower. You smell like disinfectant."

"I'm injured, so I can't shower."

Nanette refused to hide the truth from him. Why should she bear everything alone?

Sterling glanced at her coolly, the corners of his eyes holding a meaningful glint.

Nanette bit her lip. Disregarding everything else, she slowly began to unbutton her clothes in front of him.

"Are you trying to seduce me? I didn't drink today, so I won't touch you."

His throat bobbed as he watched her movements, but he still continued to make cutting remarks that dripped with sarcasm.

Nanette remained silent. Her gaze was cold as she focused on him, and she continued to undress. There was no hint of shyness or unease on her face; instead, she radiated determination and resolve.

Once she was left in only her underwear, she suddenly spoke up, "Open your eyes and take a clear look at me, Sterling!"

Her pale body stood before him, the bruises on her fair skin glaringly visible.

The corner of Sterling's lips twitched slightly. "So, it's not an act today."

"Leave Harley alone. She's the only one who has treated me well."

The word “only” darkened his expression several shades. "Go to sleep. You know I'm reasonable when I'm in a good mood, but if I'm not..."

Nanette gritted her teeth. She knew he always followed through with his threats, and confronting him directly would not yield good results. Frustrated, she kicked her clothes across the floor and headed straight for the dressing room to find her pajamas.

Sterling watched her enticing curves as she walked past, a smirk tugging at his lips. "It's been months, and your temper has certainly turned for the worse!"

"I wouldn't dare. I just find this bothersome. If you can't stand it, you can sleep somewhere else, Mr. Hanson," Nanette replied blandly.

"How can someone who doesn't bother coming home half the time have the gall to kick me out?"

Sterling followed her to the dressing room door, leaning against the frame as he watched her rummage through her clothes.

Her long, slender legs and delicate waist reminded him of the sensations from the night before. The curves from her waist to her hips were just incredibly enticing.

Nanette pressed her lips together. "As a guest of the house, how can I stay here alone when the owner isn't home?"

"Is your name not on the deed?" His words were cool and casual, and his gaze locked onto her without wavering.

Sterling's statement caught Nanette off guard. This was their marital home. When they got married, Sterling was naive enough to insist that wherever both their names could appear together, they should both be written down.

Even though she had not contributed a cent to this house, her name was still on the property deed alongside his.

Nanette bit her lip as she recalled the past. She ultimately found her pajamas and slipped them on.

She turned to meet his gaze, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. However, she tried to act calm as she walked past him.

"Thank you for your kindness back then, Mr. Hanson. But still, one should know one's place. It'll be inappropriate for me to covet what isn't mine."

Sterling suppressed his rising irritation. He turned to put on his pajamas as well.

After pulling back the covers and lying down on the bed, he coldly spat, "Sleep, or face the consequences!"

Seeing that he was already in bed, Nanette urgently asked, "Sterling, what will it take for you to leave Harley alone?"

The only response she received was a dispassionate five-word reply, "That depends on your performance."

Before, she only viewed him as cold and domineering. Now, she realized he was unkind and heartless!

Nanette took a deep breath as she held onto a single belief—Harley could not be dragged into her troubles.

That night, the two shared a bed. As soon as she lay down, Sterling naturally rolled over and rested his hand on her waist, just like always.

This was their way of coexisting, and it was a rule set by Sterling. He could choose not to touch her, but she could not stay out all night.

Sometimes, Nanette wondered if all men could do this—lying next to one person while thinking of another.

A month and a half earlier, Sterling's mother, Ivanka Zegarra, first approached Nanette with a clear purpose—to get her to sign the divorce papers. The reason was that Sterling had found someone else, so Ivanka was implying that she should not cling to him any longer.

Knowing how much Sterling despised her, Nanette secretly rented an apartment near the hospital the next day and quietly moved out of Haven Garden.

The bullying at the gathering, the madness of the night before, and Harley's suspension all confirmed her suspicions—Sterling was retaliating against her, punishing her, even.

It was all because of her abrupt departure. It was seen as an act of defiance against him.

The reason he was tormenting her now was to force her to come back.

Nanette felt a chill in her heart but remained resolute. She knew she would never turn back!

She could almost be certain that Sterling's return meant his mother had informed him about the divorce.

He cared so much for Isla. Their families' union would benefit the company and allow them to be together, so there was no reason for him to disagree.

Lying in bed, Nanette breathed in the faint, cool fragrance. There was a sharp scent mixed with tobacco that carried a subtle air of aggression. It was domineering, just like him.

Lost in her thoughts, she eventually dozed off.

In her dreams, she felt herself sinking endlessly. Despair and fear drove her to struggle with all her might, and it seemed that she was shouting something.

In the darkness, hands gripped her wrists, and Nanette instinctively twisted her arms to grasp the other person's hands.

However, those hands held her tightly, seemingly trying to break her wrists. The searing pain made her face contort. Just then, a fierce, cold voice rang in her ears.

"Nanette, you're looking for trouble again."

The pain gradually woke Nanette, and she blurredly gazed at Sterling, whose deep-set eyes gleamed with cold light. His expression was frighteningly dark.

"Sterling, are you insane? You're hurting me." Nanette gasped, struggling to escape his grip.

If she remembered correctly, this should be the fourth time Sterling had woken her from her sleep. He was staring at her with a fierce gaze.

"I'm insane? Nanette, should I call you promiscuous or excessively devoted?" Sterling asked through gritted teeth, leaving Nanette confused.

"What do you mean by that?"

He fixed his fierce gaze on her. After a long moment, a wicked smile appeared as he slowly got up and reached for the phone on the bedside table, his movements seemingly lazy.

"Nothing much. I just wanted to let you know that I haven't paid you for the night before."

After saying that, he ignored Nanette's pale face and methodically began to get dressed. The way he pulled up his pants was both flirtatious and alluring. He left the top two buttons of his black shirt undone.

A long scratch across his chest was revealed, making him look both refined and wild.

"You bastard, are you even human?" Nanette bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Sterling's face returned to its usual coldness as he raised an eyebrow and replied, "You're pretty terrible yourself."

After saying that, he turned to leave, his back straight and devoid of any warmth.

Listening to the engine of his car fading downstairs, Nanette let out a self-deprecating laugh. He was intentionally tormenting her, so why would he let her go easily?

However, when she saw the notification on her phone indicating the payment had been received, she trembled uncontrollably.