Chapter 6: The Man I Should Avoid

JULIET

I shut my eyes tight as I clutched the sheet. Andrew was currently watching an adult video; in his mind, he was taking a lesson that he believed would help. But the more he acted on deception, the more something inside me shifted away from him.

The moaning sounds coming from his phone grew intense, pulling heat beneath my thighs as the memory of what Adrian had said before leaving kept echoing in my mind. The mere thought of Adrian touching me—having sex with me—was making my heart beat out of control.

However, news of how Adrian had defended me at the party had already circulated across the entire city. Just tonight, Andrew's mother had personally added me to the Morales family group chat. In less than twenty-four hours, he had made me feel like an actual part of the family.

Suddenly, the moaning coming from Andrew's phone cut off. My entire body went on high alert; I knew what was coming next. His weight pressed into the mattress as he shifted toward me. My grip on the sheet tightened at the sheer proximity of his body.

Then, his hand slipped beneath the duvet, his fingers brushing against the bare skin of my nightgown.

I jolted upright instantly and leaped off the bed, my heart pounding against my ribs.

Andrew's eyes widened in shock. He stared at me as if I had completely lost my mind.

"What is the meaning of this, Juliet?" he asked, his voice dripping with irritation.

I swallowed hard and grabbed one of the pillows. "I'll sleep downstairs," I blurted out, turning toward the door.

Before I could reach the door, Andrew scrambled off the bed and yanked my arm, slamming my back against the door, and pinned my wrists above my head. My chest raced in fear. He felt like a complete stranger to me right now, and I couldn't predict what he was capable of doing.

"What is wrong with you, Juliet? Why are you suddenly so disgusted by me?" he asked, his tone softening into that familiar sorrowful, manipulative edge. "First in the car on our way back last night, then in the kitchen, and now this. You don't even take baths with me like we usually do on weekends. What did I do wrong?"

My chest tightened as my blood ran cold. If anyone were standing here, they would believe I was the cold, unfeeling wife depriving him of intimacy—when in reality, I was the one being driven to desperate lengths just to protect my mother.

"Andrew... I'm meeting my gynecologist tomorrow," I said, keeping my voice as steady as possible. "I get a checkup every month. But you don't. Why don't you get yourself checked and treated tomorrow, too?"

He blinked in confusion, his gaze searching my face as if trying to read the secret hidden behind my eyes.

I swallowed hard, keeping my expression completely blank.

Slowly, his grip loosened, and he let go of my wrists. I exhaled softly, rubbing my sore skin where his fingers had dug in.

Andrew walked back to the bed and lay down, pulling the covers back. "Fine. If you think I'm dirty, then I'll get checked tomorrow. But you have to come lie down here," he said gently, gesturing to the space beside him.

Reluctantly, I walked back toward the bed and climbed in, keeping myself as close to the edge as possible, as if he might devour me whole if I got too close.

"Relax, Juliet. I won't touch you," he murmured softly. "Can't you at least give me a hug?"

My heart ached at how quickly his mood swung. I lay motionless, saying nothing. Suddenly, he shifted closer, throwing an arm over my waist and pulling me back against his chest before pressing a quiet kiss to the back of my head.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing my breathing to steady as I waited for sleep that refused to come.

The next morning, Andrew left early, claiming an urgent matter had come up that would prevent him from making it to his checkup.

I didn't argue. I simply made his breakfast, watched him eat, and let him leave. Afterward, I showered, got dressed, and headed out to the hospital for my checkup.

Forty-five minutes later, I arrived at the hospital; it's a prestigious medical center funded by several prominent families in Mexico, the Morales family included.

I picked up my chart at the front desk and walked down to the end of the hallway where the new gynecologist's office was located. Just as I approached, the door clicked open, and a nurse stepped out alongside two young women and a teenage boy.

"Sister, you should really switch to a female doctor; that man looks seductive," the boy teased casually. One of the women tapped him playfully on the head, making the nurse and the other girl laugh.

My stomach dropped. My new gynecologist is a man?

A male doctor examining me... no. Absolutely not. I knew it was a professional environment, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I'll just walk in, inform him that I'm requesting a female doctor, and leave. Everyone knows I'm a Morales now; they'll respect my request without argument.

I knocked twice on the heavy wooden door, turned the handle, and stepped inside.

Immediately, a distinct, familiar scent hit me, making my heart skip a beat.

No... I'm just imagining things.

My whole world froze as I stepped inside.

Sitting behind the desk in a neat white lab coat, typing away at his computer, was the one man I was never supposed to be alone with again.

My husband's twin brother.

Adrian was my new gynecologist.