Chapter 7 Bathing Her

Ashley left with a triumphant smile, sending a message to Chelsea: [I made it!]

Aurelia found herself locked out on the terrace, her phone left behind. The realization hit her, and tears threatened to fall.

Reed was already asleep, and she couldn't risk waking him with her cries. Sitting by the door, she couldn't help but wonder what Nathaniel and Chelsea were up to.

The thought made her chuckle at her own foolishness. They must be enjoying their time together.

The night grew colder, and exhaustion washed over Aurelia. She had narrowly escaped an assault earlier and had a tumultuous encounter with Nathaniel. She leaned against the door and drifted into a restless sleep.

"Aurelia, wake up." A familiar voice came.

She felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, unsure if it was a dream or reality. Opening her eyes, she saw Nathaniel's perfect jawline and prominent Adam's apple.

She reached out, but he gently stopped her. "Don't move. You have a fever."

Nathaniel carried her back to the bedroom, tucking her in with a thick blanket.

Minutes later, he returned with medicine and water. Aurelia hesitated, unsure if she should take the pills. She couldn't risk any complications if she were pregnant.

Looking at Nathaniel, she asked, "Can you prepare a bath for me?" Aurelia felt naive after her request. Why would Nathaniel help her? She didn't deserve it.

To her surprise, he handed her the medicine and water and said coldly, "Take care of yourself. I won't pamper you."

Perhaps due to her illness, Nathaniel handed her the cup and pills, then went into the bathroom to run a hot bath.

Aurelia seized the opportunity to hide two pills and discreetly took a sip of water.

After a while, Nathaniel emerged from the bathroom and noticed the empty cup on the bedside table.

"Have you taken the medicine?" he asked.

"Yes," Aurelia replied.

"You can take a bath now. The water is ready," he instructed. Nathaniel grabbed a clean towel from the wardrobe and headed to the bathroom. Aurelia was puzzled by his actions. Before she could ask, he said, "Come in. I'll help you."

Her face turned red. They had been together for three years, always keeping the lights off during intimacy.

She didn't dare to take a bath in front of him, let alone let him help. Nathaniel placed the towel in the bathroom. He turned back and found Aurelia lost in thought by the bed.

He teasingly remarked, "You don't have to be reserved. I've seen and touched your body a long time ago. I'm just afraid you'll fall asleep and drown in the bathtub, so don't overthink it."

Aurelia blushed at his words. "We're getting a divorce now. It's different. Please respect that."

She had reminded him several times that they were divorced, which annoyed Nathaniel.

He threw his tie on the bed, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and then pulled back the blanket to carry her to the bathroom.

"We haven't completed the formalities. I'm still your husband. If you encounter any problems, remember to come to me first. Do you understand?" He was referring to the robbery incident involving Aurelia two nights ago, but he didn't expect her to be unappreciative.

"When are you going to complete the formalities?" Aurelia's question angered him. Nathaniel had intended to help her undress by the bathtub, but now he let go of her.

Unexpectedly, Aurelia fell into the water, splashing his shirt.

Her only nightgown clung tightly to her skin, making little difference whether she wore it or not.

She wiped the water off her face, meeting his gaze fearlessly, and asked, "When will the divorce be done? I can't take it anymore."

Nathaniel was furious. "Is this marriage a burden to you? Or are you in a hurry to find Samuel?"

She didn't expect him to care about Samuel, someone she wasn't even sure existed.

Aurelia forced a bitter smile. "Can you give me an exact time for the divorce? Today, your sister can lock me on the terrace, and tomorrow, who knows if she would even try to kill me." Nathaniel didn't believe her explanation.

"You are locked up because you're foolish. Doesn't anyone teach you to fight back when you're being bullied?" he said.

He leaned in closer, his large hand gripping her chin.

"Do you even realize that you scream Samuel's name in your dreams every night? Every time you do, I want to pin you down and have my way with you."

"Just like yesterday, right?" Aurelia asked. He had forced her to have sex and said hurtful things to her. Nathaniel recalled something, his gaze falling on her injured arm.

‘Her wound must sting when it touches water,' he thought.

He calmed down and released his grip on her. There were a few more fingerprints on Aurelia's cheeks, which were particularly noticeable.

"Are you in such a hurry to get a divorce?" Nathaniel asked. Aurelia averted her gaze. At that moment, she suddenly didn't dare to confront his questioning eyes, as if there was something bewitching her. She answered softly, "Yes, I'm in a hurry."

"Okay, bring the relevant documents and find me at the Courthouse at ten a.m. tomorrow," Nathaniel said.

Then, he stormed out.

Aurelia finally calmed down. When they were really going to get a divorce, she found that she wasn't as composed as she had appeared. After all, they had been together for three years. How could Aurelia easily let go of her feelings for him? She still felt heartbroken. She hoped that it would end soon.

Nathaniel sat in the car and lit a cigarette. After a while, he called his friend Oscar Moore. "Come out for a drink."

Oscar had just left the bar and checked the time. "Why are you calling me so late? I've already finished my drinks. Shouldn't you be with your wife at this time?"

"Stop the nonsense. I'll wait for you at our usual spot."

Oscar arrived at the Royal Club, where Nathaniel was already a bit drunk. "Are you sure Aurelia won't be angry that you're out so late?" Nathaniel reacted as if he had heard an intolerable joke. "What are you talking about?"

"Are you always indifferent to Aurelia's feelings at home?" Oscar teased him and poured himself a drink. When he picked up the nearly empty bottle of red wine and examined it carefully, he exclaimed, "This wine is expensive. I've been saving it for a year and couldn't bear to drink it. You finished it all!"

"I'll compensate you with two bottles another day." Nathaniel downed the drink in his glass and instructed the waiter to fetch more from the wine cabinet.

Oscar felt a pang in his heart. He knew well that the bartender he had hired here might be unable to save the good wine he stored there if Nathaniel asked for it, so he thought it might be better for him to drink it himself. Nathaniel shook the glass gently and said, "Chelsea has returned, and I'm going to get a divorce tomorrow."

Oscar was shocked. "Is Aurelia willing to divorce you? Are you drinking because you're upset?"

Nathaniel scoffed, "Do you think I'm upset? I initiated the divorce. I'm celebrating!"

Oscar looked at him carefully but couldn't see a hint of joy on his face. Instead, he captured a note of grief in his eyes as if he had been dumped by a woman. So, Oscar couldn't help but provoke him. "Alright. I'm great at celebrating. After your divorce tomorrow, I'll organize a fireworks show in the suburbs for you. Bring your lover to watch."

"Are you crazy?"