Chapter 259

“Half an hour??”

She ignored him yesterday, and he ended up kneeling for almost an hour!

However, Eder wouldn’t tell her that.

He simply shook his head with an innocent look on his face. “You personally applied the medicine to my hand, so I thought you didn’t want me to apply it to my knee.”

Afraid that he might appear too pitiful and be noticed by the woman he loved, he quickly added, “Actually, it was also because it was too late after my workout last night, and I forgot.”

Grace didn’t pay attention to his intentions, and cunning schemes at all because Ava’s words at her office door kept echoing in her mind.

It made her feel a mix of emotions.

“Is your hand still hurting? Let me see.”

Eder obediently laid his left hand flat and presented it in front of her.

Despite applying medicine last night, his palm was still swollen and had a purplish–blue tinge. “Was it already this severe last night?”

“No, it might be because when I was doing push–ups late at night, I was supporting myself with my hands, and my palms were pressed down, causing poor blood circulation and resulting in the swelling.

Besides, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

If it doesn’t hurt anymore, it means it was really painful last night.

How could she have done that to him…

Her heart felt tight, uncomfortable, and suffocating.

There was also an unprecedented sense of frustration, causing her eyes to redden involuntarily.

“I’m sorry. She’s right. I haven’t been good to you at all. We agreed that I would spoil you, but all I’ve brought you is pain.”

Although Eder didn’t know who she referred to as ‘she,‘ he keenly sensed the slight choking in her voice.

He used his right hand to lift her lowered chin, and stared into her teary and sparkling eyes. Originally, he just wanted to escape a beating and didn’t intend to make her cry with his pitiful act. Seeing her feeling guilty and sad, he felt extremely remorseful. He gently caressed her small face with tenderness atid compassion.

“Silly girl, a few punches from your little fist is enough to cause pain? You underestimate your man.

And, if my lady beats me, it’s only natural for a married couple!”

Grace turned her body away and didn’t feel comforted. “You just want to make me happy. I know it In my heart!”

Eder adjusted her body to face him directly, making her look into his eyes, and earnestly and affectionately said to her, “I didn’t deliberately try to appease you. You’re angry tonight because you’re jealous. That’s possessiveness toward me, and I’m actually quite happy about it. Even if these hands of mine are crippled by your punches, I still think it’s sweet.”

“And the happiness and warmth you bring me are unparalleled. To be forgiven by you, to sleep with you at night, to hear you call me Ed, to do pleasurable things with you I’m already satisfied.”

“Because, Grace, I love you. I really, truly love you!”

“Then do you… Do you love me the same way?

He couldn’t bring himself to ask the last question, because they got stuck in his throat, he had never asked her.

Ava’s words kept lingering in his mind. He carefully thought about everything that had happened during this period of time. She was willing to give him a chance and be with him, but she had never said she loved him from beginning to end.

Suddenly, he became afraid.

Afraid that if he asked, Grace’s answer would crush the hope that had rekindled within him during this time…

“What about me?” Grace cocked her head looking at him.

Eder concealed the emotions in the depths of his eyes.

“It’s nothing. In any case, whether you hug me, kiss me, sleep with me, or beat me, as long as it’s you, I’ll gladly accept it.”

Grace’s heart warmed a little, and she went to get the swelling ointment she had casually placed in the drawer last night.

While personally applying the ointment to him, she muttered, “You’re the silly one, a genuine fool!” Eder simply smiled. Seeing her focused gaze while applying the ointment, her careful and gentle. actions, and how she even helped him breathe, he felt content.

“Grace, are you not angry about what happened at the charity event anymore?”

She looked at him and gently pinched his cheek. “There won’t be a next time.”

Eder’s dark eyes smiled unabashedly, a mix of joy and excitement in his tenderness.

He picked her up horizontally from the bed.

“Hey, hey! What are you doing?”

“Since you’re not punishing me anymore, shouldn’t it be time for my bedtime massage service?” “Hold on!” Grace tried to stop him with a confused look on her face. “Aren’t we already in the bedroom?

Where are you taking me?”

“This is the guest bedroom. I still prefer sleeping in the master bedroom–it’s spacious and allows more room for me to stretch my limbs!” He grinned mischievously, his black eyes exuding a touch of wickedness.

“Wait a minute!”

Eder, who was about to leave the room, stopped in his tracks again. “What now?”

Grace, who was quietly waiting in his arms, looked up at him. “You shouldn’t put pressure on your left hand anymore, otherwise your injury won’t heal. With just one hand, it won’t work, right? Maybe we should skip it tonight?”

He won’t be able to do it??

Eder furrowed his brows, his expression growing darker. His tone turned cold and proud. “Even if 1 do one–handed push–ups, I can do at least three hundred without even breathing heavily! Tonight, I’ll let you see!”

“Hey! Hey!!”

Grace wanted to say something, but Eder immediately kissed her small mouth, silencing her.

Moonlight illuminated the willows.

A secluded path.

In the early morning. Patrick arrived back in S City on a late night flight.

Since it was too late, he drove back to the small villa at the Smith family’s residence.

He didn’t often come back, and there were no staff members stationed in the villa, but Lloyd, the family butler would occasionally have someone clean the house inside and out. So, the rooms were still clean.

He went upstairs to his room, took a shower, and without paying much attention, he lay down on the bed.

It wasn’t until something next to the bed suddenly moved and a smooth and fair arm rested on his chest that he woke up.

Someone was sleeping on his bed?!

He immediately woke up, sat up quickly, and firmly grabbed the person’s neck.

“Who gave you the courage to wander in here?”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Abigail, who was in deep sleep, was instantly awakened by the choking sensation.

Patrick immediately exerted strong pressure, causing her face to turn red, and she couldn’t utter word, only struggling desperately.

The moonlight coming in through the window allowed him to vaguely see that it was a woman. He loosened his grip slightly.

“Cough, cough, it’s… It’s me, Abigail..

Abigail?

An artist under Angle’s management, a friend of Grace from the orphanage?

Patrick half–believed and half–doubted as he turned on the light. Only when he completely saw her face did he release his hand from her neck.

“Why is Miss Abigail sleeping in my bed?”

Abigail covered her neck, coughing, and tears welled up almost instantaneously due to the physiological reaction.

After recovering from the pain, she got up from the bed and bowed respectfully, explaining. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know Mr. Smith, you would come back tonight. Lately, I’ve been chased by reporters and media so much that my apartment was blocked. Grace had arranged for me to temporarily stay at your villa, I apologize for intruding and disturbing you.”

Patrick saw the marks on her neck and felt a bit guilty. “Since it was arranged by Grace then you can stay if you want.”

“Thank you, Mr. Smith. Don’t worry, I promise not to cause you any trouble.” She bowed again.

Patrick lightly acknowledged with a nod, his expression returning to amiability. He continued, “However, this room is the master bedroom. You can choose any other guest room besides this one Abigail immediately hit her lower lip in embarrassment, realizing the mistake she had caused and bowed again. “I’m sorry, I don’t know the rules. I’ve never stayed in such a big house before. Please rest well.”

She shrunk her shoulders and walked away with small steps. But just as she reached the door, she turned back.

Patrick, who was about to go back to sleep, asked, “anything else?”