Chapter 36: Chapter 36: If It Hurts, Just Cry Out

"Who told you to use cold water to wash clothes?!"

The voice, cold as ice, brushed past her ear, startling Cecilia Vaughn, who was busy washing clothes.

She turned her head and saw the tall, handsome figure instantly come into view.

Cecilia put down the clothes in her hand, her expression filled with surprise and joy.

"Adrian, you’re back so early? I thought you’d really be home late."

Adrian Law had previously told her not to wait up for him, but Cecilia just couldn’t fall asleep.

When her menstrual cramps eased a little, she remembered the striped suit she’d stained with her blood earlier.

After all, Adrian’s suit was custom-made in Ithenia, very expensive, and it seemed a pity for it to be ruined just like that.

Cecilia felt much better physically, so she decided to get up, wrap a coat around herself, take a basin of warm water to the bathroom, and hand wash, hoping to remove the blood stains.

...

Seeing the concerned expression on this little woman’s face, Adrian’s cold and stern expression softened slightly.

"Yes, I’m back."

Thinking of Cecilia, who was at home with menstrual cramps, made him feel eager to be by her side.

His eyes swept over the suit in the washbasin, which was already rid of bloodstains, his sharp eyes revealing a hint of displeasure.

"Why are you washing these? Since it’s your period, what if touching cold water makes the cramps worse?"

Although his tone was reproachful, Cecilia felt warmth in her heart, more comforting than drinking ginger tea.

It’s so nice to have someone care.

Cecilia playfully stuck out her tongue.

"It’s not cold water. I’m not that silly. I mixed hot water with cool water, the temperature is just right."

Adrian listened, his face still showing disapproval.

"If the clothes are dirty, just buy a new one. Your health is most important. Don’t do this again, rest more when you have cramps."

Indeed, a wealthy man’s outlook is different. Such an expensive suit, he can just disregard it...

Cecilia felt a twinge of emotion but knew Adrian meant well, so she nodded and agreed with a cheerful smile.

"Okay, I got it, I got it."

...

Looking at the girl’s bright and blossoming smile, the iciness in Adrian’s expression finally melted away considerably.

He took out a white jade porcelain bottle given by Zion Prescott.

"Cecilia, this is an ointment I got from Zion. It can completely heal the scars on your back."

Upon hearing this, Cecilia’s smile froze momentarily.

She knew all too well how ugly the scars on her back were.

Cecilia’s expression dimmed. Such old scars, the possibility of them completely disappearing was too low, and she held no hope.

"No need... Adrian... actually... I don’t wear backless clothes."

Which girl doesn’t love beauty?

But those scars were not only imprinted on her back, they were etched in her heart, accompanied by too many painful memories from prison.

...

Adrian knew Cecilia felt bad inside, sometimes it’s better to give up hope than to face despair once hope arises.

His heart ached, he pulled Cecilia’s shoulder into an embrace, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Cecilia, trust me, I’m not lying to you. This is Old Mr. Prescott’s newly developed Ice Skin Jade Bone Ointment. It might hurt, but it’s absolutely effective."

The man’s eyes seemed to be filled with stars, his persuasive voice low and cold, making one inexplicably want to rely on him wholeheartedly.

"Okay, I trust you."

Cecilia’s body trembled slightly, her long lashes fluttered, and she finally nodded in agreement.

...

When it was time to apply the ointment, Cecilia realized the true meaning of embarrassment.

Her injury was on her back, and she couldn’t see it herself, could she just apply it haphazardly?

And in the Starfall Bay Villa, it was just her and Adrian.

Cecilia bit her lip and finally suggested shyly in a low voice.

"Well... Adrian, it’s kind of inconvenient for the two of us. Didn’t you say Aunt Sawyer comes to clean occasionally? Maybe we can wait for her to help me apply it?"

Adrian’s voice was cool and his expression graceful and indifferent.

"Why not? Cecilia, we are husband and wife."

"..."

Just nominally husband and wife!

Cecilia wanted to refute, but Adrian was more proactive and assertive than she imagined and directly carried her slender figure to the couch.

"Do you want to undress yourself, or should I do it?"

Cecilia froze for a moment, she gazed at Adrian bewilderedly, not understanding what he meant, when he sighed softly.

"Never mind, I’ll do it."

Then he began pulling the zipper on Cecilia’s back, she wore a pale blue dress today, with the zipper on her back, making it easy to remove.

With a swish, the silk dress slipped from Cecelia’s delicate shoulders.

Only the light-colored BR-A remained on the girl’s body.

In an instant, the view was breathtakingly beautiful.

The man’s eyes darkened.

...

This was what Adrian meant!

Seen naked again!

Thinking how applying the ointment required an unobstructed area, Cecilia’s cheeks turned even redder...

She quickly hugged the velvet air-conditioning blanket closely around herself, trying to cover the exposed beautiful scenery.

"I... I’ll undress the rest myself!"

...

She lowered her eyes slightly, her back facing Adrian, her slender neck exposed to the man’s gaze, like a swan awaiting its fate.

Her hands, trembling, began to unhook her BR-A.

It’s truly nerve-wracking.

Even though she couldn’t see Adrian’s expression while her back was turned, his gaze seemed to have a tangible penetrating power, making Cecilia’s hands tremble fiercely.

She couldn’t help but berate herself.

—I’m the patient, Adrian’s the doctor, this is all quite normal, being shy is pointless!

"Unhook it, relax, I’m just applying the ointment."

The man’s cool and clear voice sounded in her ear, making Cecilia’s skin tremble.

"All right... okay."

After much mental preparation, Cecilia finally steeled her heart and completely unhooked her bra.

No one spoke, and with a snap her BR-A fell onto the pillowcase, impossible to ignore.

Cecilia’s face turned even redder, hastily hugging the air-conditioner blanket tighter.

"Could you... finish a bit faster?"

Cecilia mumbled, feeling extremely awkward being without clothes in front of the man!

She was really going crazy!

...

Adrian’s breath quickened slightly as he gazed at the beautiful butterfly bones on the girl’s back.

"This ointment might hurt, bear with it, I might not finish it very quickly."

"All right... just be as quick as you can..."

"Loosen your grip on the blanket slightly, I won’t eat you."

Adrian watched as Cecilia hugged the air-conditioning blanket like a fig leaf, feeling somewhat helpless.

Cecilia felt even more aggrieved, complying by letting the blanket slip a little.

At this point, wanting to stop would seem pretentious.

It’s just applying ointment; she’ll just regard Adrian as the doctor.

...

"I’m starting now, if it hurts just cry out."

The man said, his broad hand dabbing some ointment and reaching for Cecilia’s back—