Page 59 of Misconducts & Temptation

I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us. Her warmth seeped into me, chasing away the cold that had settled in my bones long ago. For a moment, I allowed myself to forget everything else and just exist in this bubble we’d created.

My eyelids grew heavy as exhaustion finally caught up with me. Everything felt surreal, like I was living someone else’s life for a change.

But as I lay there with Elodie nestled against me, it felt right.

Sleep came easily for once, pulling me under its spell before I could overthink any further. The last thing I remembered was the steady rise and fall of Elodie’s chest beneath my hand and the way it matched the rhythm of my own breathing.

And just like that, sleep claimed me completely.

The doorto my room slammed open, and I shot up, heart pounding. My eyes squinted against the sudden burst of light flooding in from the hallway.

"What the hell is going on here?" The voice was sharp, cutting through the haze of sleep.

I scowled, trying to make sense of the intrusion. Beside me, Elodie stirred, her body shifting under the covers. Her warmth was a stark contrast to the cold air that had invaded my sanctuary.

I opened one eye and met my father's furious gaze. He stood in the doorway, his face twisted in a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Fuck off, would you?" I muttered, not bothering to mask my irritation. "It's Tuesday."

His eyes darted to Elodie, still half-asleep beside me. "Who the hell is this?" His voice rose an octave. "It's certainly not Lola."

"Thank the good Lord it isn't," I said under my breath as he stepped into the room. "Would you mind? My wife isn't decent."

Elodie's eyes fluttered open, confusion washing over her features as she took in the scene. My father's presence loomed large, casting a shadow over our fragile moment of peace.

"Your wife?" His laugh was humorless. "Since when did you start playing house with strangers?"

"Since it became none of your business," I shot back, my tone cold and unyielding.

He took another step forward, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Elodie. "Get out," he commanded her, his voice like ice.

Elodie looked at me, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty.

"Stay," I said firmly, not breaking eye contact with my father. "She stays."

"This is unacceptable," he seethed. "You have responsibilities?—"

"And I'm taking care of them," I interrupted, my voice steady but filled with defiance. "Just not in the way you want."

My father’s jaw tightened, his frustration palpable. He was used to control, to obedience. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go in his meticulously planned world.

"I won't allow this," he finally said, each word a dagger aimed at my resolve.

"It's already done," I replied, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over me as I met his gaze head-on.

"You can't be serious," my father spat, his voice dripping with disbelief.

"Would you like to see the stained sheets yourself?" I drawled, letting a smirk curl my lips. "I also have the marriage contract ready if you want that too."

His eyes flicked to Elodie, his gaze narrowing. "How much is he paying you?" he demanded.

A surge of protectiveness flared in me. "Don't talk to my wife," I said, stepping between them. "Especially when she's indecent."

He laughed, but it was a hollow sound, echoing off the walls of my room. "That's rich," he said, his eyes cold. "Coming from you." He turned back to Elodie, his expression hardening. "I'll double whatever he's paying you, especially since he doesn't have access to his inheritance. And he won't, now that he's completely flouted my rules."

"I already told you?—"

"He isn't paying me," Elodie murmured. Her voice wasn't strong, but there was a firmness to it that caught me off guard.

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