Chapter 188: Fantasy.
Lawrence.
I knew these brothers of mine were nothing but utterly consumed by jealousy, and to be entirely honest, I actually loved every single bit of it.
Theresa favoured and trusted me above everyone else, choosing me as the sole person with whom she would share her most important, fragile secrets—so why on earth should I freely hand that information over to them?
Why should I ruin my exclusive advantage just to satisfy their bitter curiosity?
"You really want to know that?" I asked, raising my brows slightly as a challenging look crossed my face. "Why don’t you simply wait for Theresa herself to wake up and tell you!" I added firmly, lacing my voice with absolute confidence.
"You—" Lurgard roared at me, his face twisting with rage as he thrust a harsh, accusing finger straight toward my face. "Don’t think for a single second that just because Theresa favours you more at this point in time, you can act all high and mighty around us!" he yelled, the veins in his neck bulging with suppressed fury.
I casually rolled my eyes at his explosive outburst, letting a broad, taunting smile deepen across my features.
"If you so desperately want her favour..." I paused, leaning back slightly and letting the silence hang in the air for a dramatic moment. "...then go out of your way to earn it." I paused again, letting out a low, amused chuckle. "Oh, but if you happen to want a few expert tips on how to win her over, you could always pay to learn from me."
Instead of exploding further, Lurgard gave out a short, dark laugh—a cold, sinister sound that cut through the room.
"Do you honestly think Theresa keeps you closer during this period because she actually loves you?" he asked, a sly, mocking smile creeping slowly across his lips.
My smug expression immediately fell as my face darkened, and I felt a sharp, hollow ache pulse in the center of my chest.
"What exact point are you trying to make with that?" I asked, my voice dropping into a tense, guarded register.
"Tell me, how far have you actually managed to touch her?" he asked, the victorious, malicious smile expanding on his face as he realized he had struck a raw nerve. "I am willing to bet everything that she hasn’t even allowed you to sleep in her room at night, has she?"
I clenched my fists tightly until my knuckles turned stark white, the blood roaring in my ears as my rage reached a boiling point.
How dare he stand there with that smug expression, trying to fling their past intimacy straight into my face?
"She only desires my touch, Lawrence!" Lurgard added smoothly, his tone dripping with arrogant confidence. "So you had better wake up from that pathetic little fantasy of yours!"
I swallowed hard, my throat feeling dry and tight as I fought to keep my breathing under control.
I wanted nothing more at this exact moment than to lunge forward, smash my fist into his face, and physically rip every single tooth out of his arrogant mouth. The violent urge to tear him apart vibrated through every nerve in my body.
But I forced myself to exercise restraint. We were still inside a fragile hospital room, standing just inches away from Theresa’s bed, and I refused to do anything reckless that could disrupt the peace or further jeopardize her delicate health.
With immense effort, I managed to push down the blinding rage, regain my composure, and flash Lurgard a dark, wicked smile.
"It isn’t a fantasy..." I paused, letting my gaze lock onto his as my grin widened. "...because she couldn’t even wait for nightfall to come when we almost did it right there in the bathroom."
And this time, the color drained from Lurgard’s face as his smug expression collapsed into absolute darkness.
"She had my name on her lips the entire time, Lurgard," I paused, taking a slow step toward him to let the words sink deep into his head. "Not yours." I continued, tilting my head with cold amusement. "So tell me... who is really the one living in a fantasy here?"
Lurgard remained completely quiet, his chest heaving with suppressed fury as he glared at me with eyes that promised pure death and destruction.
"She isn’t ashamed to be seen with me, so she touches me anywhere she pleases—but with you..." I chuckled, shaking my head mockingly. "She probably can’t even stand the sight of you, which is why she chose the cover of darkness when she wouldn’t have to look at your face." I added, letting a soft, taunting laugh escape my lips. "Or could it be that you simply sneaked into her room at night and she—"
"You fucking asshole!" Lurgard roared, his composure snapping entirely as he surged forward and grabbed the collar of my shirt in a crushing grip. "I will rip this filthy mouth right off your face—!"
But he never got the chance to finish his threat, as a sharp, commanding voice shattered the air like thunder.
"Enough!"
We both froze, our heads snapping toward the corner of the room.
It was Leonard.
He was sitting quietly right beside Theresa’s bed, his hands resting near her still form as he stared at the two of us with pure, unadulterated fury in his eyes.
I really couldn’t help it but to wonder what exactly made him angry?
But that was not for me to dwell on now, for the look in his eyes said it all, that any word from any of us won’t do any good.
"If the both of you are finding it so damn hard to coexist in the same room without acting like wild beasts..." he paused, closing his eyes briefly as he took in a deep, steadying breath to control his own rising temper. "...then get the hell out!" he continued, his stern glare cutting between the two of us like a blade. "Theresa is recovering, and she doesn’t need any of this pathetic drama."