Chapter 12

Pov Amelie

Chapter 12

The sound of trickling water from the master bathroom could be heard faintly, breaking the silence of the spacious bedroom. I was still lying stiffly on the large silk-sheeted bed, pulling the thin blanket up to my chest to cover my body after having just gone through the most heart-stopping moment of my life.

My breathing gradually returned to normal, but the heartbeat in my chest was still pounding wildly and irregularly. My thoughts were in complete turmoil, spinning endlessly. Behind the sound of the shower pouring over Reyvano’s body in the bathroom, I could imagine how tormented the man must be. Earlier, I had felt very clearly how Reyvano’s body had tensed intensely, how his masculine desire had surged and pressed against my side because he had to desperately restrain himself in such an intimate situation.

He had chosen to douse his body with cold water to extinguish the fire of desire that had already been ignited because of me.

Guilt immediately struck my heart with overwhelming force. I felt like the most evil woman on earth. I had taken advantage of his kindness, allowed him to care for me, and even accepted touches that should only have been given to his lawful wife. Yet at the same time, my common sense continued to rebel. I could not possibly go any further with him. I was not Amora. I was Amelie, a village woman trapped in this insane disguise to save my niece. If I completely surrendered myself to Reyvano, then I would no longer be merely a deceiver, but a despicable woman who had betrayed the boundaries of what was sacred.

Although logic rejected it outright, there was a small part of me that betrayed me. My skin could still feel the warmth of his lips, the gentleness of his fingers, and the strange sensation that had spread through every nerve when he helped ease the pain in my chest. The memory made my face burn intensely again. I touched my own chest, which now felt light, with no more pain or tightness.

Tears of regret slowly rolled down my cheeks. I sobbed softly, burying my face in the crook of my arm.

“Dear God... what have I done?” I whispered hoarsely in the silence of the night. “I have betrayed my husband... I have betrayed Amora.”

Yet amid my sorrow, my conscience suddenly wavered. A fragment of Amora’s story from before this exchange took place flashed through my mind again. Hadn’t Amora herself never loved Reyvano? Hadn’t my twin been forced to enter this contract marriage for money and status, while Reyvano desperately loved her without receiving equal affection in return? If Amora had never even given him her heart, then was what I had done truly such a vile betrayal? Or was I merely carrying the emotional burden of a woman who did not know how to appreciate her own husband?

Those questions kept spinning through my mind, making my chest feel tight once again with endless confusion.

Slowly, I sat up on the edge of the bed. I buttoned my pajamas one by one, straightening my sleepwear with hands that were still trembling slightly, then adjusted the blanket so that it looked neat. I had to prepare myself. I could not continue looking weak and suspicious in front of that man.

Not long afterward, the sound of trickling water from the bathroom finally stopped.

A few seconds later, the bathroom door opened, revealing Reyvano as he stepped out. The man looked much fresher, but his wet, disheveled black hair made his charm even more devastating. He was wearing only a pair of dark-colored pajama pants, while his broad chest was clearly exposed. Beads of water from his shower still clung to his sturdy shoulders, reflecting the dim glow of the bedroom lights.

Reyvano’s footsteps stopped when he saw me sitting neatly on the edge of the bed. He stared intently at me, sweeping his gaze over me with an expression that was difficult to decipher—there were remnants of desire that had not completely faded, yet they were tempered by extraordinary tenderness.

I swallowed with difficulty. My throat suddenly felt dry. Summoning the last bit of courage I had, I lifted my head to meet his eyes and tightly grasped the hem of my pajama top.

“Rey...” I called softly, my voice hoarse and very cautious.

Reyvano slowly approached me before stopping directly in front of me. He bent down slightly so that our eyes were level.

“What is it, Amora? Does anything still hurt?” Reyvano asked gently, his deep baritone voice sounding so soothing to my ears.

I shook my head slowly, avoiding his piercing gaze. Guilt pinched my heart once again.

“No... nothing hurts anymore,” I replied softly, almost in a whisper. I took a deep breath before gathering the courage to say the words that had been circling in my mind. “Rey... I... I’m sorry. I know I made things difficult for you earlier... made you feel overheated and suffer because you had to restrain yourself.”

Reyvano was momentarily stunned by my words. His thick eyebrows lifted slightly before a faint, warm smile appeared on his lips.

“And... I’m sorry too,” I continued in an even softer voice, lowering my head to stare at the bedroom floor. “Because I... I couldn’t be with you tonight. I’m truly sorry.”

The atmosphere in the bedroom suddenly fell silent. I clasped my own fingers, preparing myself for the anger, disappointment, or possessive demands of the man before me. After all, as a normal husband who had been restraining himself for months, my rejection must have been extremely painful to his pride.

However, Reyvano’s reaction was beyond anything I had expected.

The man showed no anger at all. Instead, he let out a gentle sigh before extending his right hand. His long, warm fingers touched my chin, slowly lifting my face so that I would look into his dark eyes again.

There was no demand in them. What shone in his gaze was extraordinary sincerity.

“Hey... look at me,” Reyvano whispered very softly.

I lifted my gaze and met the depths of his eyes.

“It’s all right, Amora,” Reyvano said sincerely, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. “Don’t feel guilty like that. I already told you, and I won’t take back my words. I’ll be patient... I’ll wait until you’re truly ready and willing to be with me of your own accord, not because you feel forced.”

Hearing those words, the defenses inside me nearly collapsed instantly. It felt so warm, so sincere, that my eyes once again filled with tears. How could this cold-blooded man, known for his ruthlessness in the business world, possess such a gentle and understanding side? If I were the real Amora, I would have fallen hopelessly in love with the man before me.

Reyvano leaned closer. He gently placed his lips against my forehead, kissing it for a long moment with deep respect, as though I were the most precious thing in the world and he was afraid of breaking me.

“It’s late now. Don’t think about things that will stress you out,” Reyvano whispered beside my ear as he gently put an arm around my shoulders, guiding my body back onto the soft bed. “Go to sleep. I’m here with you.”

I closed my eyes tightly as Reyvano lay down beside me, pulling the blanket over both of us and wrapping his strong arm around my waist, drawing me into his embrace.

Within that warm, suffocating embrace, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to be lulled by the false sense of security offered by my twin sister’s own husband, while hoping that tomorrow would not bring an even greater disaster to my disguise.