30 Days Till I Divorce My Husband novel Chapter 542

After a passionate kiss, Taylor moved on to kiss Leonora's neck and collarbone, even leaving a mark just above her collarbone. With one hand supporting her lower back and the other pushing her shirt aside, Leonora suddenly caught his wrist.

They had broken up, so what did this mean? How did Taylor see her now?

Holding Taylor's hand, Leonora took a moment to calm her emotions and ponder before looking up at him. She said, "Taylor, I really appreciate your help with my dad and uncle, but we're separated now. I hope you're not expecting something in return for helping my family."

"Otherwise, it belittles both of us and the relationship we had. I believe you wouldn’t do that."

Leonora was grateful for Taylor’s help. But if he wanted to sleep with her because of it, she would lose all respect for him, thinking that was his only intention. If that were the case, her recent thanks and memories of him would seem ridiculous.

Leonora's words hit home, causing Taylor to stop undressing her immediately. He had never intended to belittle their relationship, but from Leonora’s perspective, his actions were inappropriate now, turning it into a transaction. A transaction of affection.

Taylor stopped trying to undress her, and Leonora let out a sigh of relief. As she silently adjusted her shirt, Taylor gently touched her face. "Leonora, I have never taken our relationship lightly, nor have I ever disrespected you."

Leonora didn’t bite, instead changing the subject: "Did I wake you? If so, I should go now. You can go back to sleep."

Leonora was about to leave, but Taylor grabbed her arm. "Let me take you home. Wait for me."

"It’s just a short taxi ride, no need..."

"I’ll go change, just don’t leave yet."

Taylor made arrangements without waiting for her response, leaving Leonora with no choice but to nod. "Okay, then."

Leonora thought being escorted home was hardly an issue compared to his other intentions. Soon, Taylor was ready, dressed casually yet charmingly. Leading her out of the building, Taylor instinctively took her hand.

He didn’t bring up getting back together or make any excessive moves, so Leonora didn’t fuss much, letting him hold her hand to avoid further argument over such a trivial matter. The drive was brief, and Taylor asked, "Leonora, have you had breakfast?"

"I did. If you’re hungry, we can stop somewhere."

Checking the time, it was past ten. He wasn’t hungry but suggested, "Let’s find a place for lunch."

"...I’m not really up for lunch yet. Maybe just grab something to eat?"

Seeing Leonora wasn't hungry, Taylor didn’t mind and replied, "I’ll take you home first."

Rushing to take her home without breakfast made Leonora feel a bit guilty, as if she was being cold. Glancing at Taylor, who seemed to comply with her every wish, Leonora suddenly felt sorry for him. However, this was exactly what Taylor wanted—to elicit her sympathy and keep him in her thoughts.

Taylor had always been good at manipulating situations to his advantage, but he couldn’t break through Leonora’s final defenses. Leonora might overlook small matters, but she had clear principles on significant issues.

Soon, the car stopped at Leonora’s place under the bright sunlight. It was the first time Taylor had taken her home during the day, so boldly parking right outside her building. Although Leonora was concerned, she didn’t say anything. If her parents saw, she'd just say a colleague gave her a lift after a meeting.

However, only Heaven knew how long he had resisted the urge not to sweep Leonora off her feet back at Southbay, not to take her to bed. He longed for Leonora; he desired Leonora, and these feelings had nothing to do with helping her family. It was simply because he wanted her, he had this emotional need.

It was quite a while before Taylor started his car and left, long after Leonora's figure had disappeared from his sight.

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Upstairs, Leonora opened the door to her house, where her mom was just coming out of the kitchen with a bowl of pie filling.

"Where have you been so early in the morning?"

"I had some errands to run, Mom. Are you making pies today?"

"I'll send some to your grandma and uncle this afternoon. Come and help me."

Hearing her mom asking for help, Leonora washed her hands in the bathroom and then joined her in pie-making. As they made pies together, Leonora thought about her unexpected encounter with Taylor at Southbay, about him saying he missed her, his embrace, and his ultimate restraint. Leonora felt pretty good.

Maybe he wasn't just using her, maybe there was a bit of affection there after all. Leonora's good mood was mostly due to Taylor's restraint at the end; she felt respected. Even though she had been restraining her feelings for Taylor throughout their two-year relationship, always rationally warning herself not to fall for him.

But facing someone like Taylor, it was difficult not to feel any emotion at all. After all, hearts are made of flesh, and there's the adage that familiarity breeds fondness.