Chapter 317: Chapter 317: I Like You So Much 3

Annabelle Linton didn’t speak.

Miraculously, Leona Grant didn’t press the issue like he normally would.

He just pulled her a little closer and said softly, "You’d best behave and just sleep with me while that’s all I want to do. Otherwise, if I do something I can’t control, don’t blame me."

Annabelle Linton knew better than anyone what those "uncontrollable things" were.

Sure enough, she went still and didn’t dare to move.

After a moment, listening to her faint breaths, Leona Grant slowly opened his eyes.

Under the moonlight, her delicate features were elegant and serene, yet her expression remained placid, betraying no emotion.

’This woman is truly perfect. She exudes a captivating glow anytime, anywhere.’

He gently placed her hand on his waist and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. He gazed at her tenderly, feeling like he could never get enough of the sight.

He knew that everything she did tonight was for Aaron Wyatt.

But damn it, he should have been furious, yet he was deceiving himself, defeated by her faint smile.

He could have used this situation to force her to remarry him.

But he wouldn’t stoop to that.

Because threatening her with anyone would be better than threatening her with Aaron Wyatt.

If she agreed, what would that even mean?

That she was willing to give up everything for the man she loves?

Holding her in his arms, Leona Grant felt an unprecedented mix of failure and satisfaction.

She was only being nice to him because of another man.

And yet, he pathetically craved it.

He knew this arrangement wouldn’t last; she would eventually leave him.

But he was powerless to stop it.

He shut his eyes in anguish.

’Annabelle Linton, I love you so much.’

’Can’t I just be a fool, living in a world of my own making, stubbornly believing that all this bliss you’ve given me is just for me?’

...

「Early the next morning.」

Annabelle Linton was the first to wake. The moment she opened her drowsy eyes, the breathtakingly handsome face of Leona Grant filled her vision.

His sleeping face was as exquisite as a painting, his profile flawless. Asleep, he lost some of his usual sharp, cold austerity, appearing gentle in the sunlight.

Warm sunlight fell on his chestnut hair, which looked soft and fluffy, with a very appealing texture.

’No wonder so many women—myself included—were captivated by this face. A face so devilishly handsome... how could anyone not be moved?’

A flicker of admiration crossed Annabelle Linton’s eyes, but it was missing the flutter and frantic heartbeat she used to feel.

’Beauty is just a face, but a person’s worth is in their heart.’

She could never forget what he had done to her. Now that she had seen his true colors, this handsome face was nothing more than an alluring facade.

Just like a painted skin.

The corners of her lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. ’Even after seeing his true nature, I still can’t escape him. On top of that, now I even have to curry his favor.’

He was holding her tightly, and it took Annabelle Linton considerable effort to slip out of his embrace without waking him.

After quickly freshening up, she went downstairs to make breakfast.

About ten minutes after Annabelle Linton had left, Leona Grant’s eyes flew open, no longer sensing her presence beside him.

He woke to find himself alone in the large bed. Annabelle Linton was long gone.

A sense of emptiness washed over Leona Grant, followed by a swift, sharp pang of pain in his chest.

This scene was all too familiar. In the month since their divorce, he had woken up like this almost every day.

He clearly remembered falling asleep holding her, but the moment he opened his eyes, she had vanished without a trace.

Leona Grant’s expression changed dramatically, and he immediately shot out of bed.

He searched the entire room, but there was no trace of her.

He kicked the door open and rushed downstairs in a panic.

The maids were stunned to see the rare look of urgency on their young master’s usually stoic face.

When Leona Grant got downstairs and saw the figure in the kitchen, his frantic heart finally calmed.

Just as Annabelle Linton turned around, she was pulled into a tight embrace.