CHAPTER 12

Chapter 12

Nina glanced back and replied, “Packing my bags.”

“Where are you going?”

“Home,” Nina said.

“Isn’t this your home?” Nash’s tone grew noticeably colder.

Nina’s heart stung at his words, but she looked up at him and said, “Do you really think this place belongs to me? I’m just making room for you all.”

Suddenly, Nash grabbed her hand,

halting her packing. His voice turned cold as he said, “How much longer are you going to keep this up?”

Nina dared not look up, fearing she might appear vulnerable and start crying. It was the first time she had pushed him away so forcefully. “I’m not causing a scene, I’m serious. Nash, please let go. I need to pack.

Her persistence in wanting a divorce weighed heavily on Nash’s face. With a loud “bang,” the door closed.

Hearing the noise, Nina looked up, only to hear Nash’s low voice asking, “What’s the reason behind your desire to leave?”

Nina remained silent.

Nash leaned in closer, his tone accusatory, “Do you think I’m not capable? Do you need me to prove myself to you right now, to see if I’m good enough?”

His words sent a chill down Nina’s spine as she suddenly remembered the wording. in the divorce agreement. She realized he

must have misunderstood.

As she tried to get up, she found Nash pressing against her, causing her legs to give out, and she fell onto the bed. This gave Nash the opportunity to pin her down, who was looming over her with flames in his eyes.

Feeling the pressure intensify, Nina

looked down and explained, “I never thought like that. It’s all a

misunderstanding. Please don’t take it to heart. I’ll draft a new agreement for you, one you’ll be satisfied with…”

But her words only seemed to enrage Nash further. His large frame bore down on her.

Nina began to feel apprehensive, not

daring to move as she pressed her hands against his chest. “What do you want to do?” Nash gripped her chin, his tone icy. “Nina, all you ever talk about is divorce. It seems I’ve overlooked your needs.” Nina was still trying to figure out what he meant when she noticed his body growing warmer and warmer. Suddenly, it dawned on her. Her face flushed. immediately, as if his entire being was. scorching hot. She felt very nervous. “I didn’t mean it that way, Nash. Please don’t be so impulsive!”

“Is fulfilling marital obligations.

impulsive?” Nash retorted.

Nina quickly responded, “But you said from the beginning that we couldn’t cross this line!”

Nash fell silent, his deep gaze fixed on

her, while his body

restlessness. His laged with

hands

instinctively gripped her waist.

This made Nina’s body stiffen. Although they had spent one night together, their encounters had been too few. That night

had also been under the influence of

alcohol, and suddenly finding themselves sober was unfamiliar and caused her body to tremble.

As the buttons of her clothes were

undone, Nina felt a coolness enveloping her. However, her mind wandered back to their wedding night, his indifference, and his warning about the consequences of crossing that line.

Nina snapped back to reality and grabbed his restless hands, resisting with her entire body. “No, I don’t want this right now!”

Nash’s ardor dampened considerably with her resistance. Seeing her anxious. and fearful expression, his face turned cold. “Nina, I gave you the opportunity, but you declined.”

His distant and cold demeanor left her feeling disappointed.

“I’d rather not have such an opportunity.

Nash’s pressed into a tight line as he pulled his hand away from her, distancing himself from her body, leaving his back turned towards her. His tone icy, he uttered, “You know deep down that our marriage is a transaction. Don’t dwell on it too much.” He then left the bedroom after getting dressed.

Suddenly, everything quieted down, but Nina remained motionless, not moving for a long time. She felt so cold. Sitting up, she clasped her hands tightly around her legs, as if creating a fortress around herself to avoid being hurt.

She had always been aware, aware of her sinking reality, and now, hurt by his words. Their marriage was indeed a transaction; she couldn’t afford to indulge too much. She wondered if she would be much happier without this marriage, free from its constraints for the past three years. Perhaps she would have fallen in love with someone else long ago.

Closing her eyes, she suddenly felt exhausted. When would this cycle of loss and pain end? Unknowingly, Nina fell asleep on the bed.

Suddenly, she was awakened by a sound from her sleep. In the dim light, she saw a figure stumbling towards the bed. Before she could react, the person climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his embrace. The hold was tight, as if he feared losing her in that moment.