She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 72

It was another two hours before Luther returned to the apartment.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Hilda had taken a bath. Now dressed in a robe, she sat on the sofa by the window, quietly staring out into the dark night, lost in her own thoughts.

Luther walked over, leaned down, and rested his chin on her slender shoulder. After a moment of silence, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Hilda opened her mouth to speak, but a faint scent of perfume drifted to her nose.

—Chanel No. 5.

—Jolie's signature scent.

She looked at Luther calmly and asked in a soft voice, "What took you so long?"

Luther dodged the question. "I got held up by something."

He pulled the small box of pills from his coat pocket.

Hilda took it, popped out a small pill, and swallowed it with a glass of water from the coffee table. The pill tasted bitter. Once she had choked it down, she murmured, "Let's just use protection from now on. It's not good to take these pills long-term, and it's safer this way anyway. Less chance of catching something."

Luther frowned slightly. "You're perfectly clean."

It had been Hilda's first time.

How could she not be clean?

She knew he had misunderstood her entirely.

She actually thought he was dirty. She was worried he would sleep around with Jolie or some other women and pass something on to her.

She just gave a faint, dismissive smile.

She had originally planned to do some painting, but Luther had been so fiercely demanding that she decided to take the night off. Tomorrow, she would head back to her studio and catch up on her work. Becoming his woman wasn't going to change her life goals.

If it meant anything to him, why would he come back reeking of another woman's perfume?

If it meant anything, why would it take him two hours to buy a box of pills?

They remained distant and polite for the rest of the evening.

Luther went into the study to handle some business.

By the time he finished, it was nearly midnight.

Hilda was already asleep.

But how could a man who had just tasted such indulgence possibly hold back?

Luther had always been so poised and disciplined, yet he happily let Annie sit on his lap while she ate, softly demanding that her dad feed her specific dishes. Hilda felt it was inappropriate and tried to get Annie to sit in her own chair, but Luther just glanced at her. "There's nothing wrong with spoiling a little girl."

Hilda couldn't argue with that, especially with Annie's grandparents watching so fondly.

Halfway through the meal, the sound of a car engine echoed from the courtyard.

Eleanor smiled. "I invited Harrell over for lunch."

She patted the back of Hilda's hand. "Harrell is my nephew on my side of the family. If you ever need his help with anything, don't hesitate to ask. In this generation, he and Luther are the closest. They might as well be blood brothers."

Just as she finished speaking, Harrell walked into the dining room.

He walked over to Eleanor's side and took his seat with a smile. "What are you saying about me now, Aunt Eleanor?"

Eleanor feigned a reproachful look. "I wouldn't dare talk about you behind your back. I was just saying you're twenty-eight and still single. I thought Hilda might know someone suitable to introduce to you. Anyone Hilda vouches for is bound to be a good match."

Harrell raised his eyes to look across the table at Hilda.

"Is that so?"

"Why didn't you ask me what kind of women I like, Aunt Eleanor?"

"We don't want a blind introduction, do we?"