Chapter 540: Chapter 540: Not Bad
She tirelessly comforted Bella Hawthorne over and over again until Bella finally let go of the bath ball in her hands.
After exiting the bathroom, Bella lay down on the bed and closed her eyes in exhaustion.
Ann Vaughn turned off the main lights in the room, leaving only the wall lamp and bedside lamp on so Bella wouldn’t feel scared upon waking.
Watching Bella sleep like a baby, with her arms wrapped tightly around herself, Ann Vaughn furrowed her brows even more tightly.
This is the sleeping posture of someone who feels profoundly insecure.
Previously, when Bella slept with her, her posture was as carefree as Kenny’s, sprawling in every direction, absolutely unrestrained.
But now—
Ann Vaughn pondered for a few seconds, took out her phone from her pocket, and was about to press a speed-dial key but suddenly hesitated.
Quinn is Bella’s brother; he has the right to know about this matter.
However, would Bella want her to tell Quinn about it?
After hesitating for a long time, Ann Vaughn put the phone away, walked over to the bed, and tucked Bella in.
If Bella wants to talk, she’ll tell Quinn herself.
Once Ann Vaughn sat down on the sofa, facing away from the bed, Bella suddenly opened her eyes, which were red and puffy, and her lower lip was bitten and chapped.
Bella, you cannot be defeated, even for those who love you.
Before long, Bella fell into a deep sleep.
In her dream, the dim, narrow carriage, the scorching heat like magma, a man’s presence so strong it was impossible to ignore.
And—
The mysterious thorn tattoo winding over that undulating chest.
"You have a nice scent."
"I’m very satisfied."
The cold, metallic voice seemed to emanate from the depths of the Netherworld, tightly intertwined with fear, wrapping around Bella’s soul and heart, her breathing growing increasingly rapid—
"Bella, Bella?"
A soft, familiar voice suddenly rang out, waking Bella abruptly from the nightmare of last night, looking blankly ahead.
Ann Vaughn used a handkerchief to wipe her forehead and tested her temperature, "You sweated a lot, go take a shower and then have breakfast."
Without mentioning what she had just heard, she helped Bella off the bed.
"Is it morning already?" Bella’s voice was still hoarse, but much better than the day before, though she felt...
Surprised at how quickly a day could pass.
"Yes, the night passes quickly with every change of day."
Bella lowered her eyes thoughtfully, without responding.
After showering and having breakfast, Ann Vaughn was thinking about how to bring up the subject of birth control injections with Bella when she heard her say, "Sister-in-law, could you please go to the pharmacy and buy some emergency contraceptive for me?"
Ann Vaughn’s heart tightened, looking up at Bella’s pale face, her red lips pressed firmly together.
"I can use the Golden Needle to prevent pregnancy for you, without harming your body, though it requires three treatments, and the emergency pill would harm your body..."
"I know." Bella gave a bleak smile, yet couldn’t really smile, "I trust you, sister-in-law, but let me take the pill."
Considering Bella’s mental state, Ann Vaughn refrained from persuading her further to avoid any adverse effects, and simply agreed.
She understood that Bella wanted to inflict physical pain on herself to lessen her emotional suffering.
"Stay at home obediently and don’t run around or... hurt yourself, okay?" Ann Vaughn, uneasy as she was about to leave, reminded Bella.
Bella nodded slightly, as if speaking to Ann Vaughn, or perhaps admonishing herself, "I will live well."
Living is hope.
The hope of avenge and settling old scores.
Hearing her promise, Ann Vaughn finally left and headed straight to the nearby pharmacy.
Deeply worried about leaving Bella alone in the apartment, Ann Vaughn hurried back to Azure Gardens after buying the medication.
In her haste, she didn’t notice a familiar figure entering the pharmacy after she left, heading straight to the counter clerk.
In the apartment.
After Bella took the medication, she expressed to Ann Vaughn her desire to return to her own apartment.
She’s no longer a child; the greatest pain and fear that night was inflicted by that man’s relentless possession and brutality.
Like a dark cloud, following her everywhere.
Last night, Ann Vaughn’s company eased a lot of the self-loathing in her heart.
But ultimately, this disaster was caused by her own poor judgment, and she must resolve it herself.
"Sister-in-law, can I ask you not to tell my brother and grandpa about this?" Bella swallowed the bitterness in her throat and pleaded with Ann Vaughn, "I don’t want them to worry about me."
Old Master Hawthorne is already advanced in age; if he knew about the incident that had befallen his beloved granddaughter, he would likely be so furious that he couldn’t bear it physically.
And if Cyrus Hawthorne knew about these things, he would overturn the world to find that man and crush him into dust—
Bella didn’t want him, already so busy, to be troubled by her matters.
Seeing her determination, Ann Vaughn nodded, solemnly saying, "I won’t tell anyone else about this, rest assured."
"Thank you, sister-in-law."
...
To cover up her unexpected disappearance for a whole day, Ann Vaughn almost pulled her hair out trying to fabricate a reason.
Kenny was easily convinced; he believed absolutely everything she said.
But Cyrus Hawthorne wasn’t so easy to deal with...
"Speak." Cyrus Hawthorne casually pulled open the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a glimpse of his sexy collarbone, then leaned back in his office chair, watching Ann Vaughn with an indifferent expression, "I’ll give you the opportunity to explain."
The little lamb that was supposed to go to the clinic but was caught by Hawthorne Group couldn’t help but secretly swallow while looking at the arc of his collarbone.
Tsk, how can she concentrate with such a sight before her?
"I was in the apartment revising prescriptions all day yesterday because I hit a bottleneck and couldn’t think it through, so I fell asleep." Ann Vaughn lied with a straight face.
Cyrus Hawthorne’s expression remained indifferent, but a layer of frost covered his eyes, "You have two more chances."
"I’m telling the truth. No handsome men, no story, no fooling around." Ann Vaughn glanced at him, whispering quietly.
"Last chance."
Hearing the danger in his words, Ann Vaughn’s heart skipped a beat, then she slammed her hand on the desk, feigning anger in retaliation, "You actually don’t believe me! Then you tell me, what else could I be doing if not writing prescriptions in my apartment?"
As soon as she finished speaking, her wrist was grabbed by Cyrus Hawthorne, and with a forceful tug, he pulled her entire body towards him.
"Wait—" Ann Vaughn didn’t have time to withdraw her wrist before she was helplessly flung forward, landing in his lap.