Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Alice York Won’t Make Him Stay
In the dead of night, Alice York was startled from a deep sleep.
Panic seized her. Just as she was about to cry out, a man’s large hand clamped over her mouth. A breathless voice whispered in her ear, "Do you want everyone to know I’m spending the night in your room, sweetheart?"
’It’s Wyatt Sterling!’
He’d scared her to death. "Mmmph..."
With her mouth covered, Alice could only make muffled sounds, as faint and fragile as rustling reeds on a spring day.
Veins stood out on the back of the hand Wyatt Sterling held over her mouth, which was slick with a thin layer of sweat.
Alice grabbed at his hand.
He slowly released his hand, which then slid down to grip her lower back. He pulled her up, pressing her flush against him.
Once her panic subsided, she slapped haphazardly at his chest, her voice hoarse. "You scared me again."
He chuckled, his voice low. Her touch sent a thrill through him, and the desire that had been interrupted came roaring back even stronger. "Who else but me would be climbing into your bed in the middle of the night?"
Alice reminded him, "This is the Sawyer residence."
"I know."
"And you still..."
"What’s there to be afraid of? Did you get less brave after coming to Arden? Where’s that nerve you usually have?"
’What was that supposed to mean? Was she really that brave normally? Besides, a sneak attack was bound to be terrifying. Only he would be so nonchalant about it, as if she were completely fearless.’
...
Alice lay motionless, face down on the pillow. The thin silk duvet was slightly damp with sweat.
When she felt his hot breath on her back again, she lazily opened her eyes and asked, "Are you leaving tonight, Third Uncle?"
"No," he said. "I’m staying with you."
"What time are you leaving tomorrow morning?"
"Depends."
"Have you been really busy lately? Is something wrong at the company?"
"Thinking so much... It seems you still have plenty of energy left."
"..."
Suddenly, Alice rolled over, pulling the thin blanket over his chest as she leaned against him.
The wall clock showed that it was already two in the morning.
The minute hand ticked audibly.
Listening to his strong, steady heartbeat, Alice said, "Third Uncle, you had my back again tonight. Do you think Old Master Sterling will guess...?"
"Don’t let your imagination run wild."
"Oh."
’That scene in the dining room tonight... Rhea Sterling had really struggled through her little performance. Nathan hadn’t been wrong—she had only harmed herself in the end. She had no one to blame.’
Wyatt let her lie on his chest and stopped his teasing, instead toying with a strand of her hair. "And Irene Sheridan?"
Alice replied, "Thank you."
Wyatt let go of her hair and tilted her chin up. "Just going to say it with words?"
Alice pulled her chin away. "I already... thanked you earlier. You saw how cooperative I was, didn’t you?"
His expression softened. He pulled her up higher, resting his chin against her brow. "You have to remember how good I am to you. Don’t be so quick to forget."
"I won’t forget, but if..." Alice paused to think. "If you’re the one to wrong me first, to abandon me... then I can’t make any guarantees."
’Before, all she’d wanted was a clean break, to have her freedom back.’
’Now, she couldn’t bear the thought of it. All she wanted was to be with him forever. Unless, of course, he was the one who didn’t want her. If that day ever came and he made it clear they were through, she wouldn’t cling.’
Wyatt asked her, "So you really wouldn’t try to make me stay?"
’How could she, though?’
’If a woman wanted to leave and the man didn’t, it was hard to truly break things off, no matter how much she pestered. But if a man wanted to leave and the woman didn’t, it would be over in an instant. The power, really, was more in the man’s hands.’
Alice answered earnestly, "If you’re the one who doesn’t want me, there’s no point in trying to make you stay. A graceful exit is the best way to end things."
"A graceful exit..." he repeated the phrase, seemingly lost in thought.
Alice didn’t dwell on it and poked him. "Carry me to the bath."
He laughed at her words. "Ordering me around now, are we?"
"Can’t I?"
"That’s a sensitive word to use with a man. You should say it less, or you’ll have to face the consequences." He stood up, shirtless, by the side of the bed and opened his arms to her.
"If I can’t, I can’t. I can’t help it if your mind goes there. I’m perfectly innocent. You’re the one with the dirty thoughts."
Alice wrapped her arms around his neck and skillfully swung her legs up, allowing him to scoop her up with one arm.
He slapped her bottom with his free hand, his tone feigning anger. "Now what kind of player talk is that?"
Alice knitted her delicate brows and yelped that it hurt.
He carried her toward the bathroom, saying, "I’ll be gentler next time."
Alice’s eyes widened. ’?’
He laughed. "Just teasing."
"..."
She was skeptical, and in her ensuing panic in the bathroom, she slipped and tumbled into the tub.
As she fell, she choked on some water and coughed a few times, only to hear him laugh. "Is that all you’ve got?"
Furious, she pushed him away, clinging to the edge of the tub and cursing him out. Wyatt raised an eyebrow and pulled her toward him. "Your nerve just keeps growing. You’ll really say anything now, won’t you?"
Alice immediately begged for mercy and said she was wrong, but Wyatt corrected her. "Don’t say you were wrong. Say you love me."
’He’s insane... He’s already made me say it so many times tonight.’ Now, she refused. "Third Uncle, if your ears aren’t getting sore from hearing it, my mouth is definitely getting sore from saying it."
Wyatt kissed her back. "Do I always have to force you to say it?"
"..."
’It was always like this. Only when he pushed her, in *those* moments, would she say the words he wanted to hear.’
Alice ignored Wyatt, but his voice became incredibly gentle. "You could say it a thousand, ten thousand times, and I would never tire of it. I’m just afraid that one day, I won’t be able to hear it anymore. Sweetheart, just one more time, please?"
’The way he said that... it sounded as if this might be the last time he’d ever hear it.’
Alice found Wyatt’s behavior a bit odd, but she indulged him and told him she loved him.
...
The next day, Alice could barely drag herself out of bed.
The bed was a total mess. When she opened her eyes, Wyatt was gone. She had no idea when he had left.
She recalled that the only time she ever saw him in the morning was when they spent the night at Shorecrest.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
A knock sounded at the door.
Alice jumped, scrambling out of bed to change her clothes and straighten the duvet. After a few minutes’ delay, she opened the door to find one of the Sawyer family’s maids. "Yes? Can I help you?"
"Miss Alice, Old Master Sterling sent me to remind you that you’re to leave at ten," the maid said.
Alice was skeptical. "We’re going to the Hawthornes’ at ten?"
’Isn’t that too early? I thought it was an evening banquet. And I told him last night that Felix Hawthorne hadn’t even decided if he was taking me, yet Old Master Sterling has already decided for him that I’m going...’
The maid informed her, "It’s to try on your gown for this evening, and to have your hair and makeup done."
"I understand." Alice moved to close the door.
"Just a moment, Miss Alice," the maid added. "Mrs. Sterling will be accompanying you."
’To watch over my styling?’
Alice felt a prickle of discomfort but said nothing. In truth, she dreaded being alone with Rosalind Sawyer, but it seemed unavoidable.
「Nearing ten o’clock.」
Alice came out early to wait, figuring it would only be a few minutes. They were supposed to leave at ten, and the car was already waiting. Yet after nearly half an hour, there was still no sign of Rosalind Sawyer.
Just as she was about to go hurry her along, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was Rosalind Sawyer.
