Chapter 702

Her nails dug into his back. Each breath was a ragged struggle, and her heart was beating a wild drum in her chest.

“You learned your lesson, didn’t you?” Lysander’s husky voice echoed in her ear.

It was sultry, imposing, and dangerous.

Fear gripped Thalassa’s heart, but she managed to stutter out a response. “Yes, I won’t be so naive again.”

All she wanted now was for Lysander to let her go. She had clashed with him many times before, and each encounter left her feeling defeated.

She was still nursing a sprained ankle and had no desire to be bedridden.

Her submission pleased Lysander. He released her and helped her up. “Let’s get some dinner.”

His voice was low, and his menacing undertone was clear.

Thalassa had convinced Lysander to let her go by telling him that the kids were waiting for dinner. She didn’t hesitate when given the chance to escape his clutches. Ignoring her uneven breathing, she quickly reached for her crutches beside the bed.

Before she could fully grasp it, Lysander held the crutches with one hand. His deep eyes looked down on her as he asked, “Need this?”

Thalassa glanced at his other hand, which was supporting her, and understood. He meant to help her downstairs.

There was no room for protest.

Thalassa relinquished the crutch, allowing Lysander to guide her step-by-step down the stairs.

The children were already seated at the dining table, each with a spoon in hand, eagerly consuming their food.

Upon seeing Thalassa, their eyes lit up in unison. “Mommy!”

Their innocent voices warmed Thalassa’s heart, making her forget her earlier troubles. She smiled at them. “Is the food good?”

“Yes, it’s yummy! Come eat with us, Mommy.” Elowen chirped. Her love for food was evident.

With Lysander’s help, Thalassa sat across from the children. Sophia had been anxiously waiting for her mother. Now that she was seated across from her, Sophia’s face lit up with a beaming smile. She scooped a peeled shrimp from her bowl and offered it to Thalassa. “Mommy, eat this. It’s really good.”

Just as Thalassa was about to accept the shrimp, Lysander intercepted it. “Your mother needs to avoid certain foods because of her injury. Seafood is one of them.” He addressed Sophia.

Sophia looked crestfallen. She felt as if she had done something wrong.

Before Thalassa could console her, Lysander spoke up, his tone now much softer than before. “Your shrimp looks delicious, Sophia. Daddy will eat it.” With that, he picked up the shrimp with his fork, popped it into his mouth, and gave Sophia an approving look. “It’s really good.”

Sophia’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and she broke into a tender smile, Relieved, Thalassa felt a wave of bitterness wash over her. It pained her to see her children upset, yet she felt powerless to protect them. Fortunately, Lysander, despite his aversion to children, treated them well.

After the small hiccup, the family resumed their peaceful dinner.

Thalassa had a simple meal. Despite her lack of appetite, she ate heartily so as not to worry the kids.

“Mommy, did a bee sting your ear? It looks like a balloon.” Elowen’s soft voice suddenly broke the silence.

Thalassa touched her earlobe subconsciously and winced at the fiery sting she felt once her fingers landed on it.