Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Kneading
Victoria?
These two words clearly carry a hint of intimacy, yet Rhys Hawthorne’s voice is clear, like the pine and bamboo beside him, without a trace of charm.
It’s because of a word from her grandmother that Rhys changed the way he called her.
Victoria Monroe wanted to refuse, but being called Ms. Monroe was indeed too distant.
Rhys Hawthorne had helped her so much and witnessed too many of her embarrassing moments.
In Victoria Monroe’s heart, she already saw him as a younger brother.
She licked her lips and suggested, "How about... adding a ’sis’?"
Victoria and Victoria sis, a single word difference, yet the meaning is worlds apart.
Rhys brushed a strand of hair near her ear and locked his dark gaze on her small face, "Do you think it suits me to call you Victoria sis?"
The man in front of her exudes a powerful aura, mature and calm, although he’s two years younger, setting aside age, in every way he’s more composed than her.
He simply can’t call her ’sis’, and he’s part of the Hawthorne Family, calling her that seems like taking advantage of them.
Not long ago, she was trending for so long, accused of clinging to Julian Fordham. If she clings to the Hawthorne Family, she’d probably be criticized fiercely.
Victoria Monroe said timidly, "Then... it’s up to your preference."
Rhys Hawthorne’s deep eyes clearly saw the thoughts written on her face, his lips formed a faint smile and he softly called her, "Victoria."
This word, Victoria, has been hidden in his heart for so many years, finally spilled out openly today.
His call, perhaps due to the voice being overwhelmingly magnetic, made Victoria Monroe feel somewhat flustered.
She looked up and met his eyes; the man’s expression was clean and clear, without any trace of other emotions.
Victoria Monroe silently laughed at herself for overthinking and relaxed her brows, a smile curved on her red lips as she openly replied, "I’m here."
Those simple words reached Rhys Hawthorne’s ears and softened his heart.
"I’ve specially prepared some medicinal food, you’re not experiencing any pregnancy sickness now, it’s perfect for a bit of nourishment."
"Thank you, Rhys Hawthorne."
Seeing her grandmother again instantly dispelled the gloom in Victoria Monroe’s heart, just like today’s weather.
Letting go turned out to be such a liberating thing.
After tonight, she would no longer be tormented by emotional pain.
Taking good care of her grandmother and raising the child well, her life will set sail again.
While eating the medicinal porridge Rhys prepared for her, she suddenly thought of something: "What if I get seasick? Frankly, I don’t mind if you laugh at me, I have never stayed at sea for that long."
"Don’t worry, I’ve prepared everything, and besides, October will be around to keep you company, right?"
October is quite well-behaved, not reacting negatively in the new environment, running wild in the bamboo forest, appearing especially excited.
Only when it’s by Victoria Monroe’s side does it act exceptionally obedient, mostly just rubbing against her leg, never pouncing on her stomach.
Victoria Monroe’s low mood during this time affected her appetite, her stomach shrank a little, and she felt full after eating just a bit.
Rhys Hawthorne pushed a bowl of milk bird’s nest towards her, even Victoria Monroe did not notice the coaxing tone in his voice, "Eat a bit more."
"Alright." Victoria Monroe touched her small belly, she had already let down one child and didn’t want to lose this one too.
She picked up the spoon and drank in small sips, feeling somewhat nauseous from the milk after pregnancy, yet wanting to drink more for nourishment.
Simply deciding to gulp it down quickly, unexpectedly she drank too fast and excess milk dripped from her lips.
"Ah, it’s wet..." Victoria Monroe exclaimed softly.
White milk slid down her swan-like white elegant neck, eventually soaking into her white low-neck cashmere sweater.
Rhys’s clearly defined hand handed over a tissue, while Victoria Monroe wiped herself messily, not noticing Rhys’s increasingly deep gaze.
He was never a saint; he merely had a stronger restraint than ordinary men.
Previously, Victoria Monroe was a married woman, all of his actions and thoughts always stayed within bounds.
Now, Victoria Monroe was free, his mind sharply aware of this, subsequently breeding some uncontrollable thoughts.
Desire is like a monster; the longer it’s suppressed, the stronger it bursts forth.
Victoria Monroe did not notice the changes around, she discarded the tissue, her large eyes looking at Rhys, "I really can’t drink anymore."
"Then don’t drink anymore." Rhys moved his gaze away from her neck, not daring to look again.
That one time in the car, he accidentally kissed her neck, it was so soft, so fragrant.
His Adam’s apple involuntarily rolled, like a beast locking eyes with its prey, saliva filled with yearning secreted between his lips and teeth.
The milk dampened Victoria Monroe’s neck and body, making her feel somewhat sticky and uncomfortable.
"I’ll head back to my room, you’re free." She returned to her room to freshen up.
"Victoria."
Rhys suddenly stopped her, Victoria was not used to it, but he seemed to have called her a thousand times before, calling so naturally.
She turned around to look at him, Rhys spoke, "Do you want to take a bath? I don’t mean anything else, but I’m worried about your leg cramping, I’ll be just outside the door, if there’s any issue you can call me."
Her legs frequently cramp, this time the miscarriage besides the Fordham Family’s involvement, her own leg cramping contributed to not being able to get ashore in time.
These days, grieving over losing the child, Victoria Monroe’s body constantly experienced cramps due to lack of nutrition.
This place didn’t have a bathtub, only a shower, Rhys was worried she might accidentally fall, her body couldn’t afford any more mishaps.
If she lost this child too, she’d definitely go mad!
He could only silently protect her in this way.
Victoria Monroe saw the worry in his eyes, though there is a gender difference, Victoria also knew well Rhys wasn’t that kind of man.
She dared not be reckless anymore, gambling with her child’s safety.
"Alright, then I’ll trouble you."
Rhys followed her to the side room, watching as Victoria Monroe took her clothes into the bathroom.
Hearing the sounds of water from inside, Rhys suddenly thought of his grandmother’s words.
Those legs, that chest...
He grew up surrounded by beautiful women: older sisters, aunts, aunts-in-law, and mothers, of all types, he had a high aesthetic standard.
Even having seen so many beauties, Victoria Monroe’s face was never overshadowed.
Her figure was also flawless, elegantly curvy.
No one was more perfect than she.
And he first fell in love with her soul, then her body.
After all, when they reunited that year, the first sight of Victoria Monroe was with half of her face swollen, not exactly stunning, some might even find it alarming.
Yet he loved her without hesitation, whether it be the soul or the body, both became an addiction hard to control.
While still fantasizing, Victoria Monroe’s voice came from inside.
"Rhys, Rhys Hawthorne..."
Rhys thought of her frail demeanor last time at the pool, not caring about many things, he pushed the door open and rushed in.
Victoria Monroe had learned, she leaned against the wall, sitting down, not even bothering to turn off the shower.
Quickly drawing a piece of clothing to cover her body, one leg bent, the other stretched, her face filled with pain.
Her eyes were red as she looked at Rhys, biting her lip, "Calf cramped, it hurts..."
"Don’t be afraid, I’m here."
Rhys removed his sweater, turned off the shower, the bathroom was steaming hot, and he was only wearing a white shirt, he swiftly rolled up his sleeves and knelt on one knee beside Victoria Monroe.
The warm hand held her slender ankle, placing the drenched foot on his thigh.
Having practiced before, his palm touched her calf, slowly and gently massaging it, quickly addressing the issue.
Rhys brought a towel and wrapped it around the woman, he slowly leaned over, hot breath landed beside Victoria Monroe’s ear, his voice deep, "Hold onto me."