Chapter 81: Good reason to skip school
Alex stumbled to the door.
Unlocked it. Pushed inside.
Then looked up.
Froze.
Lilian.
On the couch.
Asleep.
A thin blanket draped over her. Wearing nothing under. Hair slightly messed.
But her face—
Brow furrowed. Even in sleep.
And her eyes.
Tear stains.
Dried tracks down her cheeks.
Alex’s chest tightened.
Shit.
He pulled out his phone. The screen lit up.
Notifications. Dozens of them.
All from Lilian.
He scrolled.
[Auntie loves you too! But I miss you now, can you get home earlier tonight?]
[Is there something else that’s important? Don’t worry! Auntie can wait.]
[I cooked your favorite..oysters, do you want to come back before they get cold?]
[It has been.. three am]
[Did something happen?]
[Alex..I miss you]
[Please..be back]
Alex stared at the screen.
His throat tight.
Guilt crashed over him.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
She was worried.
Crying.
Waiting.
And where was he?
With Rose.
For four hours.
Not even thinking about her.
Maybe because he was overwhelmed..
No,no excuse.
He was doing badly on this.
He needs to make this up!
How about skipping two days of school and spending the whole time with her?
Deal! The best reason ever!
Alex walked over. Slid his arms under Lilian. Lifted her.
Light. Warm.
Carried her to his room. Laid her on his bed. Pulled the blanket over her.
Her face relaxed. Peaceful.
He headed to the bathroom. Showered. Quick. Hot water washing everything away.
Dried off. Walked back.
Dropped the towel. Climbed into bed. On his side. Facing her.
Lilian shifted.
"Alex..." Mumbled. Sleepy. "Is that you?"
"Yeah. I’m here."
She relaxed completely.
Alex closed his eyes. Sleep pulled him under.
Home. Safe. With Lilian.
Everything else could wait.
Next day. Noon.
Alex woke up. Groggy. Eyes opening.
First thing he saw— Lilian’s face.
Close. Very close.
Her big eyes. Watery. Blinking. Staring at him.
Already dressed. White shirt. Black pants.
But still couldn’t hide those curves. Full chest. Slender waist.
Alex’s heart raced. Instantly.
Beautiful.
So beautiful.
His body responded. Started to.
Then— nothing.
Too exhausted.
Four and a half hours.
Rose had drained him. Completely.
No energy left.
None.
Lilian just watched him. Silent.
Then her hand moved. Reached up. Touched his face.
Gentle. Soft.
Her fingers traced his cheek. Slowly. Feeling his warmth. His skin.
She looked at his body. The scars. Faint marks from Rex and Ethan.
Healed now. Rose’s pills had worked. But the traces remained.
Her fingers moved down. Touched his shoulder. A thin white line.
Then his chest. Another mark. Barely visible.
Her eyes glistened. Wet.
She leaned forward. Sudden. Wrapped her arms around him.
Tight.
Buried her face in his neck.
Breathed in. Deep.
His scent.
Familiar.
Safe.
Home.
She breathed again. Deeper. Desperate.
Like confirming he was real. He was here. He was okay.
Alex felt her trembling. Slightly.
His hand moved. Touched her hair. Soft. Silky.
"I’m here, Lilian."
Whispered.
"I’m okay."
She didn’t respond. Just held him tighter.
Kept breathing him in.
Her body pressed against his.
Warm.
Then—
"Alex."
Her voice muffled against his neck.
"That girl from school. Raven."
Pause.
"Is she pretty?"
"Are you two... together?"
Alex’s body stiffened.
Instantly.
Bob. That big mouth.
Of course he told her.
But it was fine. She’d find out eventually anyway.
He took a breath.
"Yes."
Honest.
"She’s... she’s great. She and her butler came to the station. Helped get me out."
Pause.
"And... I like her. I really do."
His grip on Lilian tightened.
"Auntie... if you mind, then I—"
Lilian’s hand shot up.
Covered his mouth.
Gentle but firm.
She pulled back. Looked at him.
Smiled.
"It’s okay."
Her voice soft.
"I don’t mind."
Her eyes warm. Understanding.
"Really."
But inside—
Her mind flashed to the books she’d bought recently.
Hidden in her room.
The titles clear in her memory.
108 Ways to Control Your Man
72 Methods to Make Him Addicted
36 Tactics to Make Him Never Leave
18 Techniques to Make Him Breathless
Her smile widened.
Little girl, let’s see who’s better at this.
If I can’t stop it, then I’ll win.
She hugged Alex again.
Tighter.
"As long as you’re happy, Alex."
30 minutes later.
They walked out. Into the living room.
Lilian looked at him. "You’re really not going to school?"
Alex shook his head. "Nope. I don’t listen in class anyway. Don’t care about teachers. Don’t care about classmates. Beautiful girls I—"
Stopped. "Nothing. Just need to show up for the exam in two weeks. The rest is up to me."
Lilian nodded. Smiled. "Good. I just finished my recent work too. I can spend all time with you~"
She stepped behind him. Arms wrapped around his waist. Holding him from behind.
Alex grabbed her hands. Squeezed gently. "Anything you want to do. As long as it makes you happy."
Lilian’s eyes drifted down. To his crotch. Her expression shifted. Odd.
"Alex... do you watch too many videos?"
Pause.
"This morning... you didn’t have any... morning reaction."
Alex froze.
He covered his face. "Absolutely not! This is just temporary! Something happened yesterday... an accident!"
In his mind— cursing Rose.
Couldn’t you go easier?!
If it was Lilian, she’d never drain me like that!
Never!
Lilian’s face reddened. Thinking.
Looks like I need to help him recover properly.
These next few days... no sexy clothes.
Don’t want to turn him on when he can’t handle it.
Poor Alex needs rest.
Lilian stepped back slightly. "Then let’s do something else."
Her expression changed. Serious.
"Alex... is writing web novels hard?"
Pause.
"Do you know how?"
Alex blinked. Surprised.
Lilian’s interested in that?!
Fortunately, in his past life, he’d dabbled. Knew the basics. Read plenty.
He reached up. Scraped her nose gently with his finger.
"I can teach you."
Lilian’s eyes suddenly reddened. Wet.
"If... if I write badly..." Voice shaking. "Should I just give up on web novels?"
Alex’s brow furrowed. "What? Who said that?"
His tone sharp.
"Everything requires persistence. You don’t just give up."
"Who told you that?"
Lilian sniffed. Eyes red. Shook her head.
"Forget it—"
"No." Alex grabbed her shoulders. Firm. "Tell me."
Lilian hesitated. Then sighed.
Walked to the table. Picked up her laptop. Opened it.
Pulled up a chat window.
Turned the screen toward Alex.
The name at the top: JBeditor
Alex leaned in. Started reading.
Inside, Lilian’s mind worked.
Tactic Number One: Be Vulnerable!
Make him feel protective!
Let him solve the problem!
Then reward him beyond his imagination!
Her heart beat faster.
That editor really was disgusting. I didn’t want to think about him anymore...
But...
This is a free chance to boost Alex’s affection.
Why waste it?
She bit her lip. Let her eyes stay red. Just enough.
Not overdone.
Perfect.