Filed To Story: The Broken-Hearted She and The Icy He Book PDF Free
After a long, exhausting night, Lily was dead tired.
She still had rehearsal in the afternoon. She was just about to take a hot shower and crawl into bed to recharge for the high-intensity session ahead when she heard James’ cool, distant voice, “Lily, did you see Simon naked?”
“Huh?”
Lily froze. What kind of normal person would want to look at his weird body?
Her tastes were not that questionable.
For some reason, she really didn’t want James thinking she was the kind of woman who preyed on others.
-especially not someone like Simon. She hurried to explain.
But before she could even get the words out, he said. “You kissed Simon?”
Lily’s peach blossom eyes widened in disbelief.
She felt like she might just die from the injustice. Am I insane? Why on earth would she kiss someone like Simon?
She’d rather kiss an animal than kiss him.
James’ cold voice kept going.
“Simon has done some terrible things to you because of his bias toward Elsa, He’s not the right man for you. But if you do have feelings for him, I won’t stop you from being with him.”
“If you and he really want to be together, I’ll make sure he understands-he’s never allowed to hurt you again because of Elsa. The Luke family will always be your home. If he ever betrays you or treats you badly, I. Victor, and Ivan will all make sure he pays for it. So tell me how do you feel about him? Do you want to be with that old classmate of yours, or do you still want to keep going on blind dates with Simon?”
–
“I don’t want to go on blind dates with that weirdo Simon!” Lily blurted, afraid James would make her have another dinner with him.
Then she remembered Simon was his blood cousin-and had once been James’ carefully chosen match for her. Calling him a weirdo might sound like she was questioning James’ judgment. After a brief pause, she decided to at least acknowledge his good intentions.
“James, I don’t blame you for setting me up with Simon. I know you introduced me to him for my own good. He’s one of those young, talented guys you handpicked. But I really don’t get along with him. In fact,
I seriously dislike him. I’ve never tried to hurt him or pick fights, boat he’s gone out of his way to hurt me -multiple times-just for Elsa’s sake. I’m not into abuse. There’s no way I’d ever develop feelings for someone who keeps hurting me, let alone want anything romantic. Did he tell you I perked at him in the bathroom?”
Seeing James nod. Lily let out an incredulous laugh-actually amused by that weirdo’s nonsen
Grinding her teeth in silence, she finally said, “Peeking at him in the bathroom? Please-my tastes are not that bad.”
“That night, Wendy had someone lock me in the dressing room, then sent two creeps in to take those kinds of photos. In a panic, I climbed out the window to escape to the floor below. I didn’t know it was the men’s bathroom underneath. When I crawled through the window, Simon had just finished using it. But I swear I didn’t see anything! A guy like him, who’d want to look at that? I’d rather risk getting a stye on my eye!”
James had already doubted Lily would ever sneak around just to catch a glimpse of Simon; after hearing her explanation, he felt even more certain Simon didn’t deserve her.
“Ha! And the kiss…”
Thinking about what had really happened, Lily’s lips twitched with frustration.
“Maybe I accidentally brushed his mouth once-but that was when he was helping Elsa teach me a lesson” and tried to choke me. I fought back, headbutted him, and my lips might’ve grazed his by accident. How the heck is that a kiss? Him calling that a forced kiss is slander-it’s playing victim! He’s out of his mind. He really ought to get his brain replaced! They say nephews take after their uncles. James, you’re such a decent guy, so your uncle must be, too. I seriously don’t understand how your uncle and aunt managed to produce someone like Simon!”
So she hadn’t kissed Simon…
The tightness in James’ chest lifted for no reason at all.
But in the very next breath, that same heaviness came crashing back-harder-because he heard her say, “Of course I’m going to build something serious with my old classmate! We share the same values and interests-we’re practically soulmates. We’ve already picked a date to get our marriage license. It’s the day after I finalize the divorce with you. Why on earth would I still want to go on blind dates with Simon? Don’t worry, James. Once I’m married, I’ll be very happy. And you’ll meet someone amazing too. You’ll have a beautiful, joy-filled life,”
The day after their divorce, she’d be marrying that old classmate of hers…
James hated how disobedient his own heart was. He shut his eyes in pain and self-loathing. After a long silence, he said in a cold, distant voice, “Yeah. We’ll both be just fine.”
After speaking, James didn’t linger. With long, steady strides, he headed straight to the guest room to take a shower. Lily was absolutely exhausted, so she didn’t waste any time either. She quickly took a shower, then curled up under the soft, warm covers and drifted off to sleep in a daze.
When James returned from his shower, this was the sight that greeted him.
The girl was bundled up tightly in the blankets, only her clean, delicate face peeking out-she looked impossibly sweet, like she could do no wrong.
And yet, just last night, he had pressed her down beneath him, nearly lost all control… Lost and bewildered, he reached up and touched his own chest.
I only have one heart, just one. And yet, how is it that I keep confusing Lily for Leila, unable to resist her body? I’m despicable; filthy: utterly depraved
The more James thought about it, the more he loathed himself. He couldn’t bear to look at Lily’s face, the one that always made his heartbeat spiral out of control-so he fled the room, nearly panicked, and shut himself inside the study.
His phone had been lost in the river’s turbulent current; but he had a backup. After reinstalling Instagram. he could still message Leila. Consumed with shame and self-disgust, he desperately wanted to say sorry to her.
He felt utterly filthy-his body tainted, his heart even more so. But Leila’s grandfather was seriously ill, and his last wish was to see Leila married with children. They had agreed to part ways completely, and James couldn’t bring himself to disturb her again.
All he could do was zoom in on her cartoon avatar, tracing that cute and mischievous little icon again again, his voice hoarse, “Lillse… I’m sorry. I’m not worthy of you.
He was fickle, weak-willed. So if his Lillse no longer wanted him, he had no one to blame but himself.
In the days that followed, James left early and returned late; Lily was busy with Cherry rehearsals. Aside from occasionally sharing breakfast, the two of them hardly crossed paths. and
Originally, when Ivan told Henry that James and Lily had kissed, the old man had been full of hope and excitement.
But now, seeing them sit at the breakfast table without so much as a glance toward each other, that little spark of hope in Grandpa’s heart was quickly snuffed out by a cold wave of disappointment.
He realized then that their so-called kiss must have been nothing more than an accidental collision. His eldest grandson was probably still gay, not even a girl as gentle and lovely as Lily could change that.
And when he accidentally overheard Ivan and Ashton gossiping-saying that his grandson had been out on a date, hugging and flirting with some horrifically ugly girly-man-his heart sank even deeper. He figured that if James really brought home someone that appalling, the whole family line would be rolling in outrage. He was determined. Everyone had to pull together and set his grandson straight.
That night just so happened to be the birthday banquet for Simon’s mother. As juniors, James, Lily, and
Ivan naturally had to attend.
Henry gave strict instructions for James to take good care of Lily during the banquet, and told Ivan not to be a third wheel to the young couple. He also told him to keep his eyes open and make sure no male seducers tried to steal James’ attention. Only then did Henry clutch his chest and moan his way back to his room..
Lily really couldn’t stand that weindo Simon.
But she’d met Mary once before and had a good impression of her.
Besides, she and James weren’t divorced yet, and Mary was technically her aunt-in-law. Since Henry had asked her to attend with James, she couldn’t exactly refuse.
Mary reminded her a lot of Nancy-both were bold, dazzling, and breathtakingly beautiful women with strong personalities.
When Lily arrived at the Bale family estate with James and Ivan, Mary took her hand and chatted warmly with her for quite a while before finally letting her go.
Like Nancy, Mary was sharp, candid, and fair. The more Lily got to know her, the more baffled she felt. How did someone like this give birth to a weirdo like Simon?
James was soon pulled aside by a few of his old friends to catch up.
Ivan saw James surrounded by a group of flashy young men and immediately went on high alert; he followed at once like a bodyguard on a mission.
Lily knew that even if James had promised Henry he’d look after her at the banquet, he probably still didn’t want to be stuck at her side the entire time.
He was catching up with old friends-she wasn’t about to interrupt.
The Bale family was wealthy, and Simon’s father, Jamie, was famously devoted to his wife. Naturally, the birthday banquet he threw was extravagant, filled with high-society guests coming to pay their respects.
The ballroom was buzzing with energy. Lily wasn’t fond of mingling, after parting ways with Mary, she picked up a cup of warm water and headed toward a quieter corner.
“I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to…
She had barely taken a few steps when a server carrying a tray bumped into her. Red wine splashed instantly, staining her pale apricot-colored gown.
“There’s a fresh set of backup gowns prepared for VIP guests in the second-floor lounge. May I take you upstairs to change into one?”
There were hardships in every line of work; no trade was easy.
Lily didn’t make things difficult for the maid. She simply gave a slight nod and followed her upstairs. Still, no matter how hard the job is, that’s no creme for a twisted heart.
Once they reached the second floor. Lily’s gaze darkened as she stared at the maid’s cautious back
She was going to find out tonight. Should this be the end, or would Elva and her daughter finally reap what they’d
“Where’s Lily? And James? He’s gone tool”
Ivan had been pulled aside for a quick chat by a few old friends.
He couldn’t stop thinking about that damn gigolo-worried his big brother might be falling under the spell of some sleazy man. For once, the usually talkative Ivan barely exchanged a few words before excusing himself.
When he got back to the living room, he realized Lily was gone-and so was his brother.
Don’t tell me James got dragged off to some dark corner by some sketchy man to do God knows what… The second that thought crossed his mind, Yvonne’s shrill voice cut through the air, “Ah! My eyes! Lily’s upstairs in the second-floor lounge-she’s in bed with some old man!”
Yvonne had a loud voice, and her screech instantly drew every guest’s attention.
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