A Night of Desire

Seeing her state, Marcus Jarvis was both confused and worried. "Skylar, what’s wrong? Who was that man just now?"

Skylar Hayes didn’t answer. She stared at him blankly, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Seeing her cry, Marcus’s heart tightened. He reached out, pulled her into his arms, and gently patted her back in a comforting gesture.

His attempt to comfort her, however, only made Skylar’s tears fall even more fiercely.

...

At Stellan Bay, Skylar Hayes and Marcus Jarvis sat on adjacent sofas.

"...And just like that, a year ago, I divorced my husband and have been living with my daughter ever since." In front of Marcus, Skylar finally opened up and recounted her ordeal.

Once the pain and fear subsided, only a faint sorrow remained on her face. "What I hate most isn’t what he did to me, but what it’s done to my daughter. She’s still so young, yet now she has to carry this stain for the rest of her life.

Now that she’s married, what if her husband treats her poorly in the future because of her background? What if his family mistreats her for it? What is she supposed to do then?"

Marcus had never imagined that such a refined and elegant woman could have endured something like this. Seeing her like this, his heart ached for her.

Although he knew that nothing he could say at this moment would immediately heal her trauma, he still comforted her in a gentle voice, "Don’t worry. Seth Quinn isn’t that kind of person, and the Quinn Family might not even care. Clara will be happy."

Skylar looked up at him. "Thank you."

A moment later, she gave a self-deprecating smile and said, "Marcus, do you think I’m an impure woman? If you’re disgusted, we don’t have to be friends anymore."

’Men probably all find it disgusting, don’t they? Otherwise, Cedric Grant wouldn’t have divorced me immediately after finding out!’

’Even though Marcus and I are just friends... friends can be disgusted, too.’

But she never expected that the usually mild-tempered Marcus would suddenly get angry. "Skylar, what kind of person do you take me for? Do you think all men are monsters like the one who hurt you, or your ex-husband? You were assaulted. How is that your fault? You’re the victim. You’re the one who deserves the most compassion."

As he spoke, Marcus reached out and took her hand, his voice softening. "Skylar, in my heart, you’re a good woman. None of this changes that."

But Skylar snatched her hand back as if she’d been burned. Although she had become friends with him, she wasn’t used to such intimate contact.

Besides, a gesture like that between friends of the opposite sex felt somewhat ambiguous.

Marcus glanced at his empty hand, a flash of disappointment crossing his face. But he quickly composed himself and looked at Skylar, saying, "Skylar, don’t worry. I will find the monster who hurt you and make him repent for everything he did to you back then!"

’It was only for a split second, but I still saw the man’s face. If he hasn’t fled Novaria, I’m sure I can find him!’

...

When Autumn Shelby left Sierra Sutton’s room at the XX Hotel, it was still early, and the baby hadn’t woken up yet.

Sierra had wanted her to stay a while longer, to wait for the baby to wake up and spend some time with him before she left. But Autumn made the excuse that she hadn’t been home all night and her parents would be worried, so she had to hurry back.

She also promised him that she would definitely come and spend time with them for the baby’s birthday in a couple of days.

Although Sierra was a little disappointed, he still went along with her wishes.

Autumn didn’t go straight home. Instead, she drove to her favorite coffee shop.

She was in a good mood. Evan Shelby had wanted her to appease Sierra Sutton, and she had not only done that, but she had also coaxed him to the point where he might be useful to her in the future!

As she was passing the entrance to a teahouse, she glanced over casually and was surprised to see Seth Quinn standing right there.

She slammed on the brakes.