30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband novel Chapter 317

Erik sighed, "You're still not out of bed."

Bryce mumbled from beneath the sheets, "Just let me sleep; it's cozy here."

Erik fell silent, deciding to let it slide. It must've been the novelty of it all; after all, this was one of their first few times experiencing this together.

Lying on her side next to Bryce, Erik gazed at his distinct features, softly illuminated by the bedside lamp. His steady breathing was almost hypnotic, but despite her overwhelming fatigue, sleep eluded her.

Her mind wasn't on the tensions with Damita Melinda or the family drama back home. Instead, she marveled at how unbelievably her life had intertwined with Bryce's. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she'd end up marrying Bryce.

Breathing softly, she watched him sleep peacefully beside her. Erik gently reached out to touch his brow, marveling at how their relationship had evolved. They had known each other since childhood, always as close as siblings, sharing everything, even clothes. Only recently had she started seeing Bryce as a man, rather than just her buddy.

This new dynamic felt incredibly strange yet thrilling. After years of friendship, she was now experiencing shyness, embarrassment, and an accelerated heartbeat around him. So familiar yet so alien, she couldn't help but stare at Bryce. Just as she was about to retract her hand, Bryce suddenly grabbed it, placing it on his chest, his voice drowsy, "Erik, why aren't you asleep?"

Caught in the act, Erik's cheeks flushed with warmth. She thought Bryce had been asleep when she touched his face. Without pulling away, Erik whispered, "I can't sleep."

Acknowledging her restlessness, Bryce held her hand against his chest a moment longer before opening his eyes. The night was serene, their gaze locked, creating a tender atmosphere.

After a moment, Bryce pulled her closer, tightening his embrace, "Erik, our wedding is set in stone, so don't get cold feet now. Stop overthinking."

Their bond had always been solid, but Bryce couldn't fully relax until they were officially married. He was determined to protect Erik, especially after witnessing her being mistreated at the Manning family gathering. He wanted the world to know Erik was his wife, to shield her from any harm.

Such emotions were hard for Bryce to define, but he knew Erik was his life. He vowed to protect her forever, ensuring she never faced any hardships again.

Erik fell silent for a moment before sharing a traumatic experience from her past. She recounted how she was almost assaulted but was saved by Estrella's timely intervention. This event led her to cut her hair and conceal her femininity, bringing her closer to Estrella and, by extension, Bryce.

Erik had kept this secret to protect her privacy, a decision that Bryce now understood. Holding her close, he offered comfort, his heart aching for the young girl Erik once was. Even after nearly 13 years, Bryce still harbors a burning desire to track down those two middle-aged men, to exact revenge for what they did to his Erik.

The pain and anger in Bryce's heart resurface whenever Erik brings up the subject. Erik, unable to contain her frustration, continues, "Estrella and I have always suspected that it was Damita who orchestrated the whole thing. But back then, we were just kids, too scared to make any accusations."

"By the time we were old enough to possibly do something about it, too much time had passed, and the trail had gone cold. We couldn't make any headway in our investigation."

It's unthinkable that anyone would target a 14-year-old girl unless they were manipulated into doing so. Only a lone wolf with a twisted mind would commit such an act without being prompted by someone else.