She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 95

Hilda could no longer pretend to be asleep.

She opened her eyes, looking at Luther, and spoke in a quiet, even voice. "I don't care what you do with her, but do not let it affect the child. Don't answer her calls in front of Annie. I won't interfere with your private rendezvous. And... if you want a divorce, just give me some advance notice. I won't stand in the way of your happiness. My stance hasn't changed from what it was back then."

Luther stared at her.

Then, he slowly began unbuttoning his shirt.

With his shirt hanging open, he sat there in silence for a long time.

Feeling the atmosphere grow suffocatingly tense, Hilda threw off the covers and tried to get out of bed, but his hand clamped around her wrist.

His eyes locked onto her face.

As if studying her.

After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "I have no intention of getting a divorce."

Hilda didn't reply.

She didn't ask him for any guarantees, either.

If a man's promises actually meant anything, why would anyone need a legal contract? Besides, begging a man for assurances was basically the same as saying, *'Take pity on me.'* Hilda was long past the age of naive romance.

Finally, she offered a faint smile. "Understood."

Luther frowned.

He was clearly displeased with her reaction.

Ignoring him completely, Hilda gently pulled her hand free and walked into the en-suite to wash up. A moment later, Luther followed her in. He grabbed her arm, spinning her around and pulling her tightly against his chest. His shirt was completely unbuttoned, and with only her thin sleepwear between them, there was practically no barrier. They were pressed flush against each other.

Hilda wasn't wearing a bra.

She wasn't used to this kind of exposure in broad daylight.

She tried to pull away, but he refused to let her go. Instead, he gripped her waist, pressing her even harder against him until there was nowhere left to hide.

They had been intimate many times recently, and the air instantly crackled with a complicated tension.

But Hilda didn't want to sleep with him.

She demanded in a low voice, "What exactly do you want, Luther?"

He didn't answer. He just stared at her with dark, explicit hunger in his eyes, before reaching back to slam the bathroom door shut. He lifted her onto the cold marble vanity, forcing his absolute demand upon her. He was rougher than he had ever been. Mindful of his parents, the staff, and little Annie sleeping just outside, Hilda swallowed her protests, biting hard into his shoulder while a layer of mist clouded her eyes.

There was no pleasure in it for her.

Her little mouth remained in a deep pout.

Luther carried her downstairs.

He hand-fed her breakfast himself.

Seeing him dote on his daughter, Eleanor was pleased, though her words were sharp as ever—

"You're hot one minute and cold the next."

"You can't pull a stunt like that again. If you do, even we won't be able to talk Hilda down. If she truly decides she doesn't want you, I guarantee you she means business. That girl has a spine of steel. Once she makes up her mind, there's no turning back. Use your head, Luther. She’s quite a catch."

...

Luther frowned slightly.

Hilda asking for a divorce?

He had never considered the possibility.

She seemed to be a woman with an infinite capacity for endurance.

Besides, given this luxurious lifestyle and the status of being Mrs. Sanford, she shouldn't be so eager to throw it all away.