Chapter 37: Let’s Sleep in Separate Rooms!
The thought made Caroline freeze in her tracks.
What am I doing? Why was she even comparing two completely unrelated people?
She quickly shook her head, trying to dispel the disturbing thought.
David must never find out what happened to her that night.
And she certainly didn’t want to know where David had been that night, either. The best thing would be to simply live separate lives, as much as possible under the same roof.
When she returned to the master bedroom, she found David casually removing his jacket and shirt, getting ready to unbuckle his belt. He seemed completely unaware—or perhaps just uninterested—that Caroline was even in the room.
Caroline walked in just in time to catch the scene and quickly turned around, her face reddening in embarrassment.
Does he have some kind of exhibitionist fetish?
David tilted his head slightly, his toned upper body on full display as he spoke nonchalantly, “Why the pretense? Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”
“I did not!” Caroline responded immediately, shocked by his audacity.
David smirked, looking at her with a mixture of confidence and arrogance. “From the moment you approached my mother to the day you married me, it’s all been part of your plan. Your goal has always been to stay by my side.”
Caroline rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. Who does he think he is? Why would I go to such lengths to get close to him? Marrying him had brought her nothing but misery. Who in their right mind would willingly jump into a fire pit?
“Sure, sure, you’ve got it all figured out,” Caroline said sarcastically. “Mr. Ellison, you’re truly brilliant—wise, charming, dashing, and irresistible. From the moment I first saw you, I was utterly captivated. Completely in awe of your magnificence.”
David didn’t miss a beat, replying smugly, “So you finally admit it.”
Caroline was dumbfounded. He’s so full of himself! Does he not realize I’m being sarcastic?
David’s long fingers rested on his belt, his gaze hardening as he shot her a warning look. “You’d better keep your little schemes to yourself when it comes to my mom.”
Caroline’s mind reeled as she processed his words. What is he implying?
“Harper likes you,” he continued, his voice colder now. “If she ever found out you had ulterior motives, she’d be heartbroken. And I won’t allow that to happen.”
Caroline’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t know what kind of game David was playing, but she wasn’t going to let him manipulate her.
“I didn’t plan anything,” Caroline shot back, her chin raised defiantly. “But you might want to be careful with Elizabeth. I don’t know how the two of you got involved, but I think you should be cautious. Don’t let her two-faced nature fool you. She’s the one trying to climb into your bed, to get close to you for your money and power. Not me.”
David’s jaw tightened, but Caroline wasn’t finished.
“In fact,” she added, her voice cool and controlled, “I think we should sleep in separate rooms. That way, you won’t have to worry about me harboring any inappropriate thoughts toward you. A man of your status should be extra careful at night; wouldn’t want a woman taking advantage of you.”
With that, she spun around, seizing the opportunity to escape. She needed to avoid sleeping in the same bed as him at all costs. The tension between them was unbearable, and sharing a bed only gave her nightmares. She was too scared to move or even turn over, always afraid of setting him off. The constant pressure was pushing her to the edge.
David’s voice stopped her just as she was about to leave the room.
“Stop.”
Caroline turned, her eyebrows raised. “Mr. Ellison, is there something else?”
“Tomorrow morning, come with me to Ellison Group.”
At least he wasn’t forcing her to stay in the master bedroom tonight. Small mercies, she thought, relieved, but still wary.
“Wait… Hold on,” Caroline frowned. “Go to the company? For what?”
“Just come,” David said curtly, walking toward the bathroom. “Now get out.”
Unbelievable. His mood swings were worse than the weather. But Caroline had no choice. The next morning, David dragged her out of bed and unceremoniously tossed her into the backseat of his Rolls-Royce, as if she had no say in the matter.
Caroline sat in the back, staring out the window, wondering what David had in store for her next. She had a feeling this day wasn’t going to be any easier than the last.
