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“How many times have you tried provoking me?” Austin arched a brow, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his lips. His fingers, ice–cold, traced lightly over my lips. “Finally tired of being alone? Is that why you’re tempting me? You want me to touch you?”
Austin’s words dripped with mockery as he leaned in closer.
I immediately raised my injured hand and shoved him away, glaring daggers at him. Piece of trash in a nice suit, that was all he was.
I used to think Angela was a little too harsh when she called Austin a bastard. Now, I realized that was an insult–to bastards.
My voice was sharp as I warned. “Austin, if you so much as lay a hand on me, Alex won’t let you get away with it.”
Austin stilled for a moment before lifting his gaze to mine. A sneer tugged at his lips, not the slightest hint of fear or surprise in his expression.
“Laurel, let me tell you something. You might be easy on the eyes, but to my uncle?” Austin chuckled darkly. “Even if you stripped naked and stood right in front of him, he wouldn’t spare you a second glance.”
Then, Austin’s fingers tilted my chin up, his eyes darkening with something more dangerous. He said softly, “But I’m different. Please me, and maybe I’ll give you another chance. What do you say?”
Just as I thought, Alex really wasn’t into women. But then, if he was so determined to marry me, it meant the Herrera family wasn’t entirely sure of it yet.
Forcing myself to stay composed, I shot Austin a cold glance. “You’re right. If I just needed an excuse, I could’ve picked any man. Why would I choose Alex? Just because no one dares to cross the Herrera family? Aren’t you worried about pissing off your uncle?”
Hearing this, Austin hesitated for a split second.
Seizing the moment, I pushed him away and continued, “Doesn’t it seem strange to you? Why do you think Alex is in Nifelheim City? Why does he keep showing up around you? And why do you think he hit you?”
Austin’s throat bobbed slightly. His gaze locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. Then, he scoffed. “Are you trying to say my uncle is into you? Stop dreaming!”
I didn’t flinch and replied, “That’s not the point. The point is, I’m his wife now. Your aunt.”
I had only wanted to stall for time, but seeing Austin’s aggressive stance, I had no choice but to reveal the truth.
Austin’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before realization dawned. His expression shifted. “You’re stalling. Waiting for someone to save you?”
His gaze locked onto mine for a moment, and then Austin let out a chuckle. Suddenly, he yanked the blanket off me and climbed onto the bed, pinning me beneath him.
“Alex isn’t coming to save you. He’s in a meeting. And as for your dear friend?” Austin smirked. “She won’t be back anytime soon.”
A chill ran down my spine as I stared at Austin. The man before me was familiar, yet at this moment, he felt like a complete stranger.
Angela was the daughter of the Adams family. Even if Austin wanted to lay a hand on her, he wouldn’t dare go that far.
Therefore, I wasn’t worried about her. Right now, my priority was protecting myself.
My heart pounded as I forced my voice to stay steady. “Austin, I’m your aunt. If you dare touch me, Alex will destroy you. He’ll kick you out of the Herrera Group and blacklist you completely.
“Do you really want to throw away your future for someone who doesn’t even love you? Do you want to risk pushing Rosemary over the edge?”
Something flickered in Austin’s eyes–hesitation. He seemed to consider my words, his body going still for a moment.
I barely had time to let out a breath of relief before Austin suddenly leaned in closer.
I snapped, Taking advantage of his distraction, I slapped him hard across the face and drove my knee into his groin. Austin let out a sharp gasp, his expression twisting in pain and shock.
Without wasting another second, I reached for the emergency call button and pressed it. Soon, doctors and nurses rushed into the room. They froze at the scene–Austin’s contorted face and my panicked expression.
“I want to report him,” I choked out, tears welling in my eyes. “He tried to assault me.”
Some of my fear was real, but I was also playing it up.
1/2
12:58 PM D
Chapter 30
Austin gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his pain as he quickly spoke. “It’s a misunderstanding. She’s my girlfriend–she’s just mad at me. I was trying to apologize, but she got physical.”
There were no cameras in the room. I had no proof. Even if I argued that we had broken up and I was already married, it would sound like a lie to them.
Then, footsteps echoed from outside. I turned my head just as Rosemary stepped into the room, holding a bag of fruit.
The moment Rosemary saw the scene in front of her, the bag slipped from her hands, fruit scattering onto the floor.
For a brief second, Rosemary just stood there, frozen. Then, she quickly crouched down to pick them up.
Austin’s expression shifted in surprise when he saw her. “Rosemary? What are you doing here?” he asked, picking up the fruit.
Rosemary didn’t answer. Instead, she carefully walked over to me, hesitated for a second, then suddenly dropped to her knees, tears welling in her
eyes.
“Laurel, it’s all my fault,” Rosemary cried. “Please don’t blame Austin and Mom. I promise, if you just get back together with him, I’ll leave the Herrera family. I’ll go abroad. I swear you’ll never see me again.”
I arched a brow and turned to Austin. “What kind of show are you two putting on now?”
“Get up, Rosemary,” Austin said, his voice laced with concern. “The floor is cold, and you’re not in the best health. If you get sick, what then?” The look in Austin’s eyes was so indulgent; it was a bit nauseating to watch.
But Rosemary didn’t move. She just looked up at me with tearful eyes. “Laurel, you can take it out on me however you want. I just want you to forgive Austin.”
I studied her for a moment and asked, “So, what? If I don’t forgive him, you’re just going to stay on your knees until I do?”
Austin shouted, “Laurel, Rosemary is apologizing to you. She even brought you fruit. What more do you want?” Austin’s eyes were full of anger. If it weren’t for the fact that there were so many people in the ward, he would have probably wanted to strangle me directly and make me forgive Rosemary.
I sat up straight, my tone sharp with irritation. “I’m allergic to mangoes, Austin. You say you love me, yet you can’t even remember something that basic?
“And let me repeat myself–I’m your aunt. If you ever lay a hand on me again, I won’t just let it slide. I’ll take legal action, and I won’t care how much it humiliates your father.”
With that, I turned to Rosemary, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. “If you want this piece of trash, he’s all yours.”
AD
