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CH.29

Author: Golden Butterfly
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

I was utterly paralyzed, frozen in place by the gripping fear that seized my entire body.

My widened eyes remained fixated on Karl, unblinking, as I swallowed hard in a futile attempt to dislodge the lump that had formed in my constricted throat. It felt like I was choking on the very air I breathed.

"No... No, it's not over yet," I stammered out in a voice shaking uncontrollably with the lie.

An internal mantra played on repeat in my mind as I silently prayed to any higher power that might be listening, begging them to prevent Karl from seeing through the blatant deception. The harsh truth was my menstrual cycle had indeed ended just the day before. But there was absolutely no way I could bring myself to disclose that information to him.

Doing so would be akin to painting a large target on my back. The very last thing I wanted—the very last thing I could possibly endure, was for him to make another attempt at violating me again.

Karl's eyes narrowed into icy slits as he studied my
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    The warm morning sunlight filtered through the thick curtains the next morning. I stirred beneath the plush duvet, my body was sore and still heavy with sleep as Karl's lips trailed featherlight kisses along my cheek, down to the sensitive skin of my neck. A contented sigh escaped my parted lips when his mouth found that special spot just below my ear, sending a delicious shiver down my spine."Good morning, beautiful," he murmured huskily against my throat, his breath fanning over my rapidly flushing skin. The low, gravelly timbre of his voice sent another wave of warmth coursing through me. Reluctantly, I blinked my eyes open to find his intense gaze fixed on me."Morning," I muttered, suddenly self-conscious under the weight of his stare. I averted my eyes shyly, feeling exposed and vulnerable despite being covered by the blankets. Karl wouldn't have it, though. He gently cupped my chin, turning my face back toward his with a featherlight touch that belied his usual strength

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    Later that evening, Karl and I settled into a secluded corner booth at one of Moscow's most expensive restaurants. The soft glow of candlelight danced across the crisp white linen and glittering crystal, lending the space an air of romantic intimacy. The dining room was a masterpiece of architectural beauty, with soaring vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes and gleaming marble columns that stretched toward the heavens. Fancy crystal chandeliers hung suspended above the tables, throwing a warm, romantic glow on the luxuriously leather chairs and clean white tablecloths.The sweet strains of a string of classical music wafted through the air from a secluded corner alcove, their melodies blending seamlessly with the gentle clink of exquisite dinnerware and the hushed whisper of conversation from other dinners.The aroma of exquisitely prepared cuisine mingled with the subtle scent of fresh flowers arranged in delicate vases on each table.A waiter in impeccable forma

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    I could not tear my gaze away from his, searching those Osbidian depths for any hint of deception or guile. But all I saw reflected back at me was sincerity and...could it be tenderness? A profound sense of confusion washed over me as I tried to reconcile this softer, more compassionate side of Karl with the harsh, brutal man who had tormented me since our wedding.I instinctively pulled my hand back when he tried to grab it, needing to put some distance between us as the flashes of my suffering at his hands bombarded my mind. The phantom pain of bruises long healed made my skin prickle uncomfortably."Karl, it's not that simple," I said, trembling faintly with repressed emotion. "What you put me through...the things you did to me...it's not something I can just forget or move past so easily. Those memories are seared into my psyche. I need time to process it all, to heal."I took a shaky breath, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. "Every time I close my eyes,

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    We finished our meal in comfortable silence, though my mind was still buzzing with unanswered questions. The restaurant's ambient lighting cast a warm glow over Karl's chiseled features as he signaled for the check. I watched him sign the bill and leave a generous tip that surprised our waiter's eyes.Karl got up from his chair gracefully and held out his hand to me with a roguish smile dancing around the edges of his mouth. "Come, my dear. I have something special planned for us today." His voice held a hint of excitement, like a child with a secret they were bursting to share.I eyed him warily. My curiosity was piqued despite my better judgment. After hesitating for a moment, I placed my hand in his, allowing him to help me to my feet. His touch sent a familiar jolt of electricity through my body, reminding me of the inexplicable connection that seemed to bind us together.Karl led me out of the restaurant. His hand rested possessively on the small of my back as we stepp

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    The woman cried out in pain and surprise, and then her eyes widened in dismay when she realized that I had heard what they had said. Her friend tried desperately to pry me off, but I held firm, consumed by rage I could scarcely control.It took every ounce of willpower not to strike her across that smug, sneering face to make her feel even a fraction of the humiliation and anger coursing through my veins."Let go of me, you crazy bitch!" the blonde shrieked as she struggled against my grip. "We didn't mean anything by it! It was just a joke!""A joke?" I hissed, tightening my hold on her hair. "You think it's funny to insult strangers, to try and steal someone's husband right in front of them? Maybe I should teach you a lesson about respect, about keeping your filthy mouth shut!"Finally, I released her hair with a forceful shove. The two women scrambled away, shooting me venomous looks over their shoulders while they fled towards the elevator.I stood there. My chest was hea

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    Karl carried me all the way up to our lavish hotel suite, still ignoring my token protests until he had gently laid me down on the plush king-sized bed. I sighed in defeat and let him carefully remove my boots and socks then watched him leave to fetch something from the dressing room.He soon returned with a set of clothes and I realized he intended to help me change out of my snow-dampened outfit. A flush of embarrassment crept up my neck at the thought of being undressed by him like a child.I placed my hand over his to stop him. "Really, I can do it myself," I mumbled, avoiding his intense gaze.Karl ignored my embarrassment and removed my hand from his arm with a gentle firmness. He proceeded to undress me with an achingly tender touch. His fingers skimmed reverently over my bare skin while each piece of clothing fell away."I've seen every single inch of your gorgeous body so many times, Lavinia," Karl murmured softly. His eyes burned into mine with an intense heat

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    "Lavinia!"Karl's deep, commanding voice sliced through the heavy silence like a razor-sharp knife, causing my heart to immediately start pounding rapidly in my chest. A slight dread coiled in the pit of my stomach as I slowly turned to face the intimidating figure standing in the doorway, apprehension washing over me in icy waves.Karl stood bare-chested after clearly just stepping out of the shower, his tanned, muscular skin still glistening with beads of water. The only thing preserving his modesty was a small, fluffy white towel wrapped loosely around his narrow hips. Rivulets of moisture trailed in meandering paths down the ridges and valleys of his powerfully built torso, drawing my eyes instinctively to the intricate tattoos that danced across his skin like living ink.The sight of him like this, barely clothed and exuding an aura of raw masculinity, was both intensely intimidating and undeniably captivating in a way that made my breath hitch. There was an almost feral sor

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    Karl’s grin broadened at her words and he drew the quilt over them both before they welcomed dreamland together.The next day, Lavinia was standing in the middle of the dressing room, clad in just her underwear, angling her body towards the full-length mirror. With a small smile, she ran her hands over the gentle swell of her baby bump, admiring the changes pregnancy was bringing to her figure.She grabbed her phone and started snapping a series of photos from various angles in an attempt to document this special journey.The bathroom door opened and Karl stepped in, fresh from the shower with a towel slung low around his hips.He raised an eyebrow at his wife's actions. "Uh, what're you doing there, babe?"Lavinia glanced over her shoulder with a smile. "I'm taking belly pics! Wanna get in on this?" She motioned for him to join her. "I want to have photos documenting my whole pregnancy so we can look back on it."Without hesitation, Karl crossed the room and wrapped his arms snugly ar

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    “Is my husband still angry with me?” she murmured.She could feel the scorching heat of his body through the thin silk of her negligee and smell the warm, musky scent of his skin. It made her head spin with a dizzying rush of want.Before Karl could respond, Lavinia closed the scant distance between them and captured his lips in a deep, hungry kiss.For a long, heated moment he seemed to melt against her. His mouth moved in tandem with hers as one of his hands slid up to fist in her hair.A low rumbling groan of pure masculine appreciation vibrated against her lips and it made her shiver with delight.Then, all at once, Karl seemed to come to his senses. He tore his mouth away from hers with a harsh curse. His hands quickly dropped away from her as if she had scorched him."Dammit, Lavinia," he growled.There was an unmistakable bulge tenting the front of his pajama pants. "Don't do this, not tonight. I'm serious."Lavinia felt her heart plummet at the rejection. "But Karl--""No buts.

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    Lavinia felt her stomach twist itself into an anxious knot when the realization struck her. Karl must have retreated upstairs to their bedroom, no doubt seeking the solitude and space his anger and hurt seemed to demand.She wavered in the doorway for a long moment, chewing nervously on her lower lip while weighing her options.Part of her wanted nothing more than to leave him be, to give him the time and distance he so clearly needed to process whatever emotions were raging inside him over the disastrous misunderstanding.Another, deeper part of her, however, knew that putting off a reconciliation would only breed more resentment and pain between them.No, better to bite the bullet and face the awkwardness head-on no matter how painful it might be.Drawing a fortifying breath, Lavinia finally turned on her heel and slowly headed for the stairs.By the time she reached the bedroom door, her heart was pounding a staccato rhythm against her ribcage. She could hear the muffled sounds of

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