Chapter 153: Chapter 153: The Rose on Her Lower Back
Rhys’s words made Victoria Monroe blush with embarrassment.
She couldn’t be blamed; she was never some innocent flower, and even if she didn’t want to, her body had long been spoiled by Julian Fordham.
Strangely, in the nearly past month she spent with Julian Fordham, she hadn’t harbored the slightest wicked thought. Whenever Julian got close, she would instinctively feel a physiological aversion.
On the contrary, she seemed particularly sensitive whenever Rhys touched her.
In her eyes, Rhys was like a pure, innocent flower, and Victoria didn’t want to taint him.
She stubbornly said, "You pressed a bit too hard just now."
"Really? Then I’ll be gentler and slower."
Rhys was inexperienced in comforting women and even more naive about this sort of thing.
His first kiss was guided slowly by Victoria during a movie shoot, and since then, he hadn’t even been close to any girl, let alone engaged in such activities.
Since it wasn’t the case, he didn’t think too much of it.
His hands became not only gentle but also slower.
Unbeknownst to him, it was an even greater torment for Victoria.
She involuntarily said, "A little higher."
Rhys obediently moved his hands slowly upward from her knee. As his rough fingers brushed the tender skin on her inner thigh, Victoria woke as if from a dream. She immediately rose, holding the towel with one hand and grabbing Rhys’s wrist with the other.
Rhys’s deep eyes remained calm as he asked, "What? Are you uncomfortable?"
Uncomfortable? It was too comfortable!
Comfortable to the point she nearly lost her mind, almost luring the innocent flower into doing something bad.
Facing Rhys’s clear, cool eyes, Victoria felt like an evil demon.
"No, it’s just a bit ticklish."
"Why is your face so red? Are you running a fever again?"
Rhys touched her forehead with the back of his hand. Victoria felt her cheeks burning and her heart pounding rapidly.
"No, no, it’s just a bit hot."
Rhys might have been inexperienced, but he wasn’t foolish. Victoria’s repeated abnormal reactions clearly showed that the problem wasn’t with his pressing.
Previously, he had specifically read parenting guides and notes on pregnancy, knowing that due to pregnancy hormones, some women might suddenly crave something or want to do something, with obvious increases in those areas as well.
Comprehending this, Rhys held Victoria’s hand, "Victoria, I told you that you can rely on me."
Victoria panicked. Could it be that Rhys realized she was a novice?
She stiffened her neck for one last struggle, "Ahem, I don’t quite understand what you mean."
Rhys suppressed his desires as much as possible, trying to make his gaze void of any lustful thoughts, and spoke plainly, "Victoria, when I say I can take care of you, I mean in every aspect. If you have such needs, I can help you."
Victoria was intensely flustered; everything that had happened since she awoke felt incredibly surreal.
Using the last bit of her rationality, she slowly said, "Rhys, you can’t..."
She hadn’t even figured out their relationship, so how could she let Rhys do such things for her?
He, such a noble person; she couldn’t imagine him doing these things for her.
Although she was a bit curious about what expressions he might have while doing such things.
Seeing her tension and resistance, Rhys backed off, "Okay, if you want, just let me know. Even though I can’t, at least I can use my hands..."
Rhys seriously discussed this with her, and she hurriedly covered his mouth with her hand.
"Is this something we can talk about?" she asked, looking at him with wide eyes, her face burning with shame.
The soft, fragrant hand of the woman pressed against his thin lips was both inviting and gentle.
Rhys found this awkward version of Victoria adorable and chuckled lowly, "Alright, I won’t say it."
The warm breath he exhaled tickled her palm.
Victoria quickly withdrew her hand, feeling extremely embarrassed.
"I can apply the rest myself."
"Alright."
Rhys understood when to advance and when to retreat, "Oh, Victoria, we’ll be approaching the port in a few hours. We’ll need to stock up on some essentials. I’ve already asked the master to pick a good date for your grandmother’s burial; it’s in half a month, so there’s no rush to return to Kenton."
Now there were no longer any family or loved ones there for her; it was just a sad place for Victoria.
Victoria nodded, "Okay, but won’t you be busy?"
Rhys glanced deeply at her, knowing she had just gone through a mourning period and now needed rehabilitation. Slowing down and healing her gradually was the best approach.
"No, I’m not busy."
It was not easy for him to get the opportunity to spend more time with her; returning to Kenton immediately might lead to encountering Julian Fordham.
For both emotional and rational reasons, Rhys didn’t want Julian to hurt or entangle Victoria again.
With her grandmother’s passing, a large part of Victoria’s heart felt empty.
After getting some clothes, Rhys gentlemanly left the room. Victoria applied the medicine herself and changed into the clothes from the dryer.
In the mirror, her skin was pale, her dress clean, and Julian Fordham’s bloodstains had been thoroughly washed away.
Just like her life, from now on, there would be no more ties with that person.
The yacht docked, and Rhys Hawthorne stood on the deck waiting for her. In the afternoon sunlight, a figure in white appeared in his view.
Victoria Monroe, with her hair down and wearing a simple white dress, had a flat belly with no sign of pregnancy at all. Instead, she looked like a college girl, clean and beautiful.
But her eyes, which had experienced too much, appeared slightly sad, and every time Rhys looked at her, he felt a deep sense of pity.
Once she was ashore, Victoria only then realized they had docked in a small visa-free tourist country, a place she had once included in many travel plans.
She had been waiting for Julian Fordham to be free so they could go on a world tour together. She never expected to come here with Rhys Hawthorne instead of Julian Fordham.
Three months ago, she couldn’t have imagined that she and Julian would reach the point they were at today.
There was no amicable separation, only a parting as if by life and death.
The architectural style of the entire city was very unique, a scenery she had only seen in videos. As it appeared before her eyes, Victoria was a bit amazed.
Under the sunlight, the blue roofs sparkled, white doves spread their wings and flew in the air, and someone released helium balloons.
The sea breeze blew against her, scattering her sorrows.
He had come to this city three times for work, but never once brought her with him.
Turns out, leaving Julian Fordham, the world outside was so beautiful.
Her shoulder was gently tapped, and Victoria turned around, belatedly realizing. Rhys didn’t know when he had bought all the helium balloons, handing the colorful balloons to her.
Victoria felt a bit shy, "I’m a divorced woman, not a young girl..."
In her view, these were things teenage girls liked.
Rhys lowered his soft gaze tenderly, "In my eyes, you are the purest young girl."
Assistant Woods captured this beautiful moment.
His boss was becoming better!
Though he never had a girlfriend, watching how his father treated his mother, he had long learned how to love someone.
The most important thing in treating a woman is not money, but respect.
This was Julian Fordham’s biggest mistake, leading him to lose so badly.
Victoria held onto the helium balloons; when she was young, seeing children her age with a helium balloon, she had longed for one.
In the end, it was Rhys who fulfilled this wish.
She looked up at the balloons swaying in the wind, gently releasing her palm, as if all her troubles flew away with them.
Rhys took her leisurely strolling around the town, allowing her time to pick the clothes she liked.
He would sit at the side, seriously evaluating each one, fully uplifting Victoria’s emotional value.
After all, most of her clothes before were custom-ordered and sent to her by Julian, but when women try on clothes, it provides great emotional satisfaction.
Victoria tried on clothes for several hours straight, Rhys not urging nor getting annoyed, even offering outfit suggestions.
Victoria gradually relaxed, picking out some dresses she liked.
One of them had a zipper so thin and small that she couldn’t pull it up, so she awkwardly asked the sales assistant for help in English.
A hand opened the fitting room door, Victoria facing away said, "Thank you."
"No problem," came a low voice.
Turning back, Victoria saw the tall figure of the man, her face flushed red, "Maybe my English isn’t good, and they didn’t understand?"
The man’s long fingers gently ruffled her hair, "It’s okay, I’ll teach you in the future, turn around, and I’ll help you zip up."
Though a bit shy, Victoria found herself increasingly accepting of him.
She turned around, revealing a beautiful back.
Rhys immediately saw the large tattoo on her waist.
In the past, she got injured there, and after it healed, she tattooed this area with roses.
Her pale jade-like skin was covered in flowers, seductive yet lush.
Victoria was still waiting for him to pull up the zipper when suddenly the warm fingers of the man unexpectedly touched the scar on her waist.
The fitting room’s air conditioning wasn’t very effective; she had changed into several outfits and was already somewhat hot, covered in sweat.
He leaned closer, whispering softly in her ear, "Did it hurt a lot back then?"
Only then did Victoria realize he was merely asking about her injury.
"Not too bad, it’s all in the past. It doesn’t hurt anymore..."
"From now on, I won’t let you get hurt again, Victoria."
Watching that scar, he realized it was even longer than he imagined.
She had almost been destroyed.
If he had shown up earlier, she wouldn’t have suffered like this.
Victoria stiffened slightly, and at that moment, she felt taken care of, cherished by the man.
Noticing the atmosphere between them felt a little off, she quickly said, "Alright, help me zip it up."
The next second, a warm, soft touch landed on her waist.
Through the mirror, Victoria saw the tall man kneeling on one knee, holding her waist firmly, and reverently kissing the rose tattoo on her lower back.