Chapter 583
+25 BONUS
Adam had been delirious recently, sitting on his bed each day without uttering a word. Even if Anathea were to strike up a conversation with him, he’d respond to her in between intervals, often with “Yes“, “oh“, and “Alright“.
Most of his responses were insignificant until the other day, when he’d spoken to Anathea in full, detailed sentences despite not remembering who she was. In other words, the elusive “Mr. Baxter was an important link in the incident from years ago.
Anathea had looked into it and discovered that Adam had, indeed, corresponded with a man named Roy Baxter at the time. Roy had been the CEO of a building material company until the project ended, after which someone else took over his role.
As such, Roy must have run away out of guilt. He must know the truth about the incident!
After getting her hands on Roy’s current address, Anathea decided to drop by and visit him. However, he lived in a remote location, and packing her stuff for the trip took up more time than slie’d expected.
It was only after she’d finished packing that she hopped into the shower, ready to leave for the trip the next day. But she’d emerged from the shower to the frantic ringing of her doorbell, followed by Gregory’s voice.
“A business trip to where?” Gregory stared at her intently.
“That’s none of your business.” Anathea drew her leg back and ordered him bluntly, “Get out of my apartment.”
Gregory noted her hostility and wariness, then lowered his gaze as he said softly, “Watch where you walk next time. Don’t go bumping into stuff again.”
Anathea responded with only an indifferent hum.
Having heard her response, Gregory gradually rose to his feet and headed for the threshold. But that was when he caught sight of the ring box on the sideboard, and his steps ground to a halt.
Anathea turned to grab the doorknob, opening the door to see him out. Suddenly, his fingers clenched around her wrist, and he pulled her into his arms.
“What are you-” She felt the hard slant of Gregory’s mouth on hers before she could react.
He stepped forward, closing the door she’d opened with a thud and pinning her against it. The emotions he’d been suppressing finally exploded at the sight of the ring box.
“Gregory!” Anathea pushed him away when she finally got the chance to breathe. “What the hell’s gotten into you-”
She hadn’t even finished protesting when Gregory silenced her with a kiss once more.
“Greg-” She broke off in a muffled groan.
Gregory kissed her relentlessly and forcefully, stealing her breath and threatening to torture her into madness.
The outer corners of his eyes were tinged with red as he demanded hoarsely, “Did you say yes to Theo? How could you be so heartless, Anathea?”
Anathea’s fingers clenched. She couldn’t tell if her anger stemmed from his unforgiving kisses or his accusation.
He’d called her heartless, but what right did he have to hurl that comment in her face? Who was he to call her heartless? The person she was now was nothing compared to the ruthless bastard he’d been in the past!
Gregory’s palms were pressed hard against her waist. It was as if he’d lost his mind and desperately wanted to leave his mark on her. He gripped her towel and made to tug it down from her chest.
Anathea’s eyes widened, and she bit his tongue.
A coppery tang filled his mouth. Gregory stopped, but if Anathea thought the pain was enough to make him release her, she’d thought wrong. He’d paused for only a second before his arms tightened around her, his kisses growing even more demanding.
*25 BONUS
His craze and urgency brought bitter memories flickering through her mind. The hurt, lies, threats, disrespect, and brutish claiming of her body replayed in her head like a broken record, cleaving her soul.
The metallic taste in Gregory’s mouth was suddenly interspersed with a salty bitterness. He lifted his darkened gaze to find the tearstains on Anathea’s cheeks, and only then did he snap out of his craze.
He felt like he’d been punched in the gut, and the sensation was enough to make him go wholly still.
His good sense finally returned at that moment as he hurriedly dried Anathea’s tears, sounding guilty and heartbroken as he said, “Don’t cry, Annie…”
Anathea shoved him aside forcefully, wrapping her arms around herself in a defensive stance. But her eyes, red from crying, and her trembling shoulders were enough indication of how she truly felt.
It was as if someone had gripped Gregory’s heart and squeezed it to the point of bursting. His breath came up short.
He stepped forward, but Anathea took a huge step back. “Get out!”
Chapter 584
