“The lipstick got smudged on the collar by accident,” Earl explained very patiently.
His hand that was holding onto the woman‘s chin gradually moved down and wrapped itself around her
slim waist.
He slowly leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Addy, I‘ve been really busy with work for the past
month and I must‘ve neglected you. It‘s totally my fault and I‘m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
In a split second, Adina felt as if she had caught a glimpse of the past Duke.
The one who loved, cared for, protected, and always respected her.
“It‘s not that I don‘t love you, Addy. It‘s just that I don‘t know how to. Let‘s start over, okay?”
The man held her face with both of his hands before his thin lips slowly closed in.
Adina‘s head started to buzz all of a sudden.
Her body responded before her brain could, and she swiftly evaded the man‘s kiss.
Earl‘s attempt at the kiss had failed, and the hostility that momentarily flashed in his eyes was
masterfully suppressed.
He licked his lips and quietly said, “As long as we‘re not
divorced, you‘re still my legal wife. So, as your husband, why can‘t I kiss you?”
Adina simply stared at him closely.
The way he suddenly bowed his head and apologized reminded her of the old Duke.
But now he was back to being someone who could only be sarcastic.
She had always harbored doubts about the possibility of two souls sharing that same body, each with
an entirely distinct personality that could switch at will.
She was unable to distinguish who the real Duke was.
“Come on, don‘t resist me.”
Earl grabbed her shoulders and tried to plant another kiss.
Adina tried hard to fight the urge to run away and stood still as she awaited the unanticipated kiss.
Suddenly, her eyes flashed, and she noticed something under the man‘s collar.
He had tugged off his tie as soon as he entered the room, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his
shirt, displaying his strong chest muscles.
Every night during the week leading up to their wedding, she and Duke had made love. They were
tangled in each other and even took baths together.
So, she was very familiar with every inch of the man‘s skin.
A week ago, it was clear that he had no tattoos on his chest. However, by this time, a python and
several other patterns had been inked there.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief.
Earl followed her line of sight, and once he realized what she was looking at, his eyes darkened.
He raised his hand and nonchalantly fixed the buttons on his collar, and calmly said, “I got it tattooed on
purpose to match the one on your collarbone.”
“You did?”
Adina pursed her lips.
Her gaze remained on his chest. Her eyes were serene but pitch black.
Earl straightened his collar and coldly said, “I suddenly remember there being a few matters to be
settled at the company. I‘ll leave now.”
He started getting ready to leave.
Some fragmented images drifted into her mind as she watched his figure that was suddenly eager to
leave.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda