Restoring a Life After Seven Years of Wrong Love novel Chapter 22

Driven by survival instinct, Yvette desperately clung to the person holding her.

Air rushed back into her burning lungs as they broke the surface, and the suffocating panic finally receded.

Yvette opened her eyes. Barely inches away was the face of her husband. “It’s you?”

Catching the blatant surprise in her voice, Jabez raised an eyebrow. “Who were you hoping it was?”

Yvette shook her head and lowered her gaze. “No one.”

Jabez scooped her up into his arms, and she instinctively wrapped her hands around his neck.

His gaze dropped to the woman in his embrace.

The white swimsuit clung tightly to her skin, perfectly outlining her gorgeous curves. Her dark eyes were still wide and shimmering with unshed water.

Feeling the weight of his stare, Yvette shifted, trying to squirm out of his hold.

Jabez tightened his grip around her waist, his tone reproachful. “Stop moving.”

The water here was over ten feet deep; she wouldn't even be able to touch the bottom if he let her go. Realizing this, she forced herself to stay still.

The summer swimwear offered almost no barrier between them.

Yvette could clearly feel the flex and shift of his abdominal muscles with every step he took.

He stared straight ahead, his strides steady and confident.

Looking up, Yvette traced the sharp, unforgiving line of his jaw and his water-slicked lips.

The hand Jabez had wrapped around her waist gave a subtle squeeze. She felt soft—incredibly soft against his palm.

“Have you put on some weight lately?”

“I just ate a massive meal, is that a crime?” Panic flared in Yvette’s chest, and she quickly threw out an excuse, darting her eyes away.

Jabez raised an eyebrow but didn't push it, though a flicker of suspicion lingered in his gaze.

Once they reached the edge of the pool, he set her down on the deck.

Regardless of everything else, he had just saved her. “Thank you,” she murmured.

Jabez grabbed a towel off a nearby lounge chair, tossed it over her head, and turned away. She listened to the steady rhythm of his footsteps receding.

Confused, she was just about to pull the towel off her face when a familiar female voice drifted over.

Her hands froze.

“Jabez, Trent and the others have the barbecue going. They’re just waiting on us.” Willow’s voice was as sickeningly sweet as ever.

Jabez had stopped perfectly in the doorway, his broad shoulders completely shielding Yvette from Willow’s line of sight. The other woman hadn't noticed her at all.

The two of them walked off together.

“You can have this one.”

“What’s the catch?”

“Sybil knows I’m here. If she asks, you know exactly what to say.”

Jabez walked over and sat down on the sofa, his dark, piercing eyes locking onto hers.

“You want me to provide an alibi for you?” Yvette’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.

It was bad enough that he was parading his mistress around right in front of her.

Now he wanted his wife to help cover up his affair?

“Yes.”

“Absolutely not,” Yvette rejected the idea without a second thought.

The worst-case scenario was that she’d just give him the room back.

There were plenty of hotels nearby; she refused to believe she couldn't find somewhere else to stay.

“It’s peak season at the Highland Retreat. Every room is booked,” Jabez pointed out smoothly. Then he added, “I saved your life in that pool.”

Yvette paused, dropping the clothes she was holding. “Fine. But you have to agree to one condition.”