Filed To Story: The Broken-Hearted She and The Icy He Book PDF Free
Seeing the tear tracks on her cheeks, his heart twisted as if it were being ripped apart.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, gently gathered her into his arms, and used his calloused fingertips to wipe away her tears. His voice was hoarse. “Why are you crying?”
Lily was too heartsick, her whole body numb.
Hearing his voice made her realize he had finally returned.
She really did love him so much.
She craved his warmth, wanted nothing more than to hold him tightly.
But when she thought of Renee’s post, thought of him spending the night at Renee’s, showering there in the morning, her eyes welled up again. She pushed out of his embrace, turned her back to him, and refused to speak.
“Last night, I didn’t mean not to come back.”
James could see she was angry with him.
He knew when a girlfriend was angry, you couldn’t stall-you had to explain, had to coax her right away.
Even though she ignored him, he wrapped his arms firmly around her from behind. “You called me a few times around eleven last night.
“I didn’t notice until after two in the morning. By then, I figured you must already be asleep. I didn’t want to wake you, so I didn’t call back.”
To Lily, it sounded like nothing but excuses.
That morning, Renee had answered the call to his phone. Proof enough that he’d been with her.
Last night he had said he’d be home late, that he was visiting Susan at Renee’s house.
Which meant from last night to this morning, he had been with Renee the whole time.
He had even peeled apples for her, let her post about it online. And now, early in the morning, he had been sweating enough to shower there.
He had time for Renee, but not to answer her calls.
The more Lily thought about it, the angrier she became. She didn’t even want to look at him.
But even if he had fallen for someone else and wanted to end things, they at least needed to be honest with each other.
Furious, she shoved at the arm around her waist. She was determined to argue with him properly.
Even if she lost the fight, venting her frustration was better than suffocating on it.
When her first push didn’t work, she puffed up her cheeks and shoved him again, hard.
“James, I want to argue with you right now-don’t hold me!”
She looked fierce, like a little lioness bristling with anger.
But instead of being angry, James found her temper rather cute.
Still, he worried she would make herself sick from all the anger.
He didn’t let go. Instead, he said gently, “I’ll hold you now. After we finish arguing, when we go downstairs for breakfast, I’ll let go.”
“You’re unbelievable…”
Lily was speechless at his shamelessness.
Who in the world argued while still hugging?
But since she had already decided to fight with him, she couldn’t back down. She couldn’t swallow her resentment..
Kicking at him in frustration, she snapped, “The reason you couldn’t answer my call last night was because you were busy peeling apples for Renee, wasn’t it?”
“I saw her post. She said you peeled it for her, and it was the best apple she’d ever eaten!”
“And you were even in the backyard with her planting-“
“This morning I called you again.”
“It was Renee who answered.”
“She said you were sweating, that you were in the shower and couldn’t pick up.”
Lily had wanted to sound cold and strong, to argue with James with confidence. But she failed herself-her voice cracked, and tears crept in. “James, if you don’t like me anymore, if you don’t want to be with me, if you want to break up, just tell me.
“As long as you say it, I won’t cling to you, and I won’t use the baby in my belly to tie you down.
“But you can’t fall for someone else, go to her house to peel her apples, take a shower there, and deliberately keep it from me. That makes me feel like I’m nothing but a fool you two are toying with!”
At first, James had thought she was only angry because he hadn’t come home last night.
But hearing her words now, he instantly realized the depth of the problem.
Yes, he had always been grateful to Susan for taking care of him once, and he treated Renee kindly, like a younger sister.
But what was a younger sister compared to the wife he had chosen?
Renee was clearly doing this on purpose. He would need to start keeping his distance.
Years ago, Luke family had given Susan a villa and a large sum of money as thanks for her care. After returning home, Susan and Renee had lived there.
Last night, James had gone to that villa to see the sick Susan, but he hadn’t stayed long.
On his way back to the Luke family estate, he realized he was being followed. He guessed it was the forces from Miye, back for revenge.
This time, they had spared no expense, hiring over a dozen assassins.
He had worked with the police, captured most of the killers, and taken down Miye’s key members. He had been injured in the process.
In the chaos, he hadn’t heard his phone when Lily called.
By the time everything was over, dawn had broken.
He had not only been hurt, but covered in blood-other people’s blood.
Fearing the smell of blood would frighten her, he had showered in the hospital bathroom before letting the doctor treat his wounds.
It must have been then that Renee spotted him near the hospital.
When he came out clean and dressed, he saw Renee in his ward.
Clearly, while he was showering, his phone had been on the nightstand. Lily had called, and Renee had answered on purpose-saying things meant to make Lily misunderstand.
Renee had even deleted the call record afterward.
Thinking of it, James’s eyes grew colder.
And now, Lily, after hearing Renee’s voice on the call, had recorded it to confront him.
When she played the recording, James heard Renee’s voice clearly.
“James was sweating a lot. He’s in the shower now, he can’t answer.”
Then, after a pause: “Don’t worry. When James comes out, I’ll have him call you back.”
Her voice was as sweet and lively as always, but James could hear the hidden provocation, the malice beneath it.
She spoke as if she were the hostess, as if Lily were the outsider, as if he truly belonged to her.
He glanced at Lily’s phone screen, his expression dark. He would have to tell the elders- Renee could not be allowed to wander into Luke family’s home so freely anymore.
“James, you’re shameless!”
Hearing Rence’s syrupy voice again, Lily’s heart was torn apart.
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