Chapter 6

Just as Serena finished delivering toiletries to Clara and was about to leave, Clara suddenly called out to stop her.

"Serena, let me give you a massage too. I heard from Samuel that your back isn't great. I learned a few techniques from him."

"That's really not necessary. Too much trouble."

A flicker of surprise rose within Serena. They weren't close—their relationship was actually rather awkward. This sudden friendliness was difficult to accept.

"What trouble? It's my way of thanking you for taking care of Nicholas these past three years."

That last sentence burned like a red-hot brand pressed against her heart.

Serena felt a dull, suffocating ache in her chest.

She forgot to refuse, merely forcing a smile and nodding.

Clara stood behind Serena, who obediently submitted to her touch.

With her back turned, Serena couldn't see the scrutiny in Clara's eyes.

Serena had studied dance for ten years. Her childhood dream had been to become a ballerina.

Her neck was beautiful—a classic swan neck.

Clara's hands touched her skin, slender and smooth.

Her gaze slowly moved downward, then her body suddenly stiffened.

Serena's nightgown had a rather low neckline. From above, the curves beneath were fully exposed, shapely and defined.

But that wasn't what caused her emotional reaction. It was the strikingly vivid red mark on that soft skin.

The location was far too intimate, far too suggestive.

She'd clearly heard that Serena and Nicholas maintained only a facade of harmony.

Yet this...

Could it be that during her time abroad, something had happened between them that she didn't know about?

"Serena, thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?" Serena bit her lower lip as her back grew sore and tingly.

"For staying by Nicholas's side in my place." Clara silently increased the pressure of her hands. "Before I went abroad, I told him you'd be perfect as his wife. If it hadn't been for you these three years, Nicholas would've been surrounded by countless women. That would've been very troublesome for me to deal with when I returned."

Perfect? Serena clenched her fists tightly. Her palms bore deep nail marks.

Had her marriage to Nicholas also been Clara's arrangement?

Serena understood perfectly what Clara meant.

Her tone was gentle, yet she was exposing the truth right to her face.

Simply telling her not to harbor any delusions.

"My technique's not bad, right? I picked up a thing or two."

"Yes, thank you."

When Serena looked up, all emotion had vanished from her eyes, leaving only calm.

"Actually, you don't need to see me as a rival."

Clara suddenly froze.

"You and Nicholas are childhood friends, and you saved his life. No one can compare to your relationship. I should thank you for letting me marry Nicholas. I'll always remember that kindness." Serena's expression was frank and open, without a trace of concealment.

"That's not what I meant." Clara seemed somewhat embarrassed by the response.

Serena couldn't be bothered to think further. She simply stood and left.

Upstairs, the moment Serena entered the bedroom, she sensed the atmosphere was somehow tense.

Nicholas stood by the bed. He was unusually wearing loungewear today.

Serena had bought it—matching his-and-hers sets with her own.

"Why didn't you drink the medicine?"

Serena glanced past him toward the nightstand. The bowl of herbal medicine sat there, completely untouched.

"I forgot."

She panicked for only a second before regaining her composure.

"I had them reheat it." Nicholas frowned. "The kitchen worked hard to brew this. Don't act childish."

That last sentence instantly sparked anger within Serena.

In her mind flashed Clara's veiled warning from moments ago.

She'd already let others mold and shape her at will, yet Nicholas still thought she was being unreasonable?

"I don't want to drink it! The medicine is too bitter." Serena's refusal was blunt, her voice cold.

But the next second, Nicholas suddenly swept his long arm around her, pulling Serena into his embrace.

His other hand grabbed the medicine bowl and drained it in one gulp.

Serena was completely unprepared. Before she could react, the man's lips forcefully sealed hers.

"Mm..."

She opened her mouth to bite him, but the moment her lips parted, his warm tongue invaded dominantly.

Nicholas pried open her teeth as warm liquid flooded her mouth.

Between the crushing and turning of tender lips, Serena was forced to retreat, compelled to swallow the medicine Nicholas transferred to her.

He was feeding her medicine mouth-to-mouth?

Realizing this fact, Serena's body began heating inexplicably. For a moment, she forgot the bitterness.

Instead, there was a sweet taste mixed within.

She lightly licked, only then belatedly realizing Nicholas had fed her a candy.

Her initiative made Nicholas suddenly tense. His movements became more forceful, like a beast wanting to devour Serena whole.

Serena was kissed until she had no power to resist. Nicholas knew every one of her sensitive spots—he could easily make her surrender.

Her consciousness gradually drifted into outer space. His angular fingers slowly moved downward until they touched her lower body, when he suddenly stopped.

"Aren't you on your period?" Nicholas's voice was hoarse, his tone restrained yet puzzled.

Consciousness returned in an instant. A bucket of cold water drenched Serena from head to toe.

She hastily pushed Nicholas away and stood up in panic.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Serena struggled to maintain composure, but her voice was trembling.

"You're hiding something from me?" Nicholas's gaze was deep, fixed on her, his tone almost certain.

"No." Serena unconsciously raised her voice.

"What did the doctor really say? If you're not on your period, then what illness do you have?" Nicholas seemed somewhat anxious, his speech quickening involuntarily.

"How many times do I have to say it—just common uterine coldness!" Serena deeply regretted not controlling herself moments ago.

"I'll ask myself."

As the words fell, Nicholas had already pulled out his phone and directly dialed.

"Hello? Mr. Hayes."

A respectful voice answered from the other end.

Serena's heart was instantly seized. Her breathing seemed to stop.

Nicholas had powerful connections and prestigious status. She wasn't certain the doctor would truly keep his promise to maintain her confidentiality.

If Nicholas learned about her pregnancy...

What would happen?

Based on her understanding of him, he absolutely wouldn't want her to carry his child.

Would he directly force her to terminate it?

"My wife went to the hospital today. I want to know her test results."

She didn't know what was said on the other end.

Nicholas's eyes gradually deepened. He stared intently at Serena, anger faintly brewing between his brows.

Serena remained standing in place. Under Nicholas's scrutinizing gaze, she seemed to have nowhere to hide.