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Chapter 4: The Wedding Night

Anna didn't wanna lie to him. Marrying some rando in a rush, she was totally using him as a cover.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

Charles didn't say a word, just leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on Anna.

After a few beats, Anna asked, "What about you? Why'd you agree to marry me?"

Before today, they were basically strangers.

Charles raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "I wanna sleep with you."

No wonder he had the rep of being Crystal City's biggest playboy, not even trying to hide his intentions, saying it like it was no big deal.

Charles seemed to read her mind.

He owned it, not even bothering to make up an excuse.

"Anna, I told you at the café, marrying me means we’re not just gonna be a couple in name only."

"Okay."

Anna dodged his intense gaze by sipping her soup.

She got why he was stressing that point now.

A guy and a girl alone, late at night. What was gonna happen next? She wasn't some naive girl.

Charles waited patiently for her to finish her soup, then asked, "You done?"

Anna had calmed down. This was the path she chose. No matter what went down, she’d deal with it. As long as it wasn't Michael, anyone would do.

She didn't hesitate, looked him straight in the eyes, "Yeah, I'm full."

Almost as soon as she said it, Charles, who'd been chilling in his chair, stood up. He pulled her up, pinned her against the fancy wine cabinet, and kissed her hard. The pressure and intensity made Anna clench her fists.

Even though she’d prepped herself mentally, she was still freaked out when it came to this.

When Charles's big, hot hand slid down her waist, Anna fought her nerves, dodged his kiss, and reminded him, "Wait, we haven't showered."

Charles's eyes were dark and mysterious.

Hearing her, he paused his hand on her slim waist. He squeezed the soft flesh, a lazy smile on his face. His other hand moved to her earlobe, brushing past it, his fingers playing with her tassel earring.

"Do you wanna shower first? Or together?" Charles asked.

Anna bit her burning lip, "I'll shower first."

Charles let her go, surprisingly chill.

He led her to the main bedroom upstairs, opened the bathroom door, and nodded towards it, "Go ahead."

He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets.

Anna saw he seemed like he was gonna watch her shower, and she got uneasy.

She turned to look at him, "Aren't you gonna shower?"

Charles's lips curved up, playing dumb, "Didn't you say you didn't wanna shower together?"

He leaned in closer, "What? Changed your mind?"

She made it clear, "Why don't you shower in another room?"

Better than having him watch her up close.

Charles's eyes flickered, then he suddenly laughed, "Got it."

Anna was puzzled, "Got what?"

Charles pulled her in, kissed her lips, and then replied, "On our wedding night, my wife can't wait. How can I refuse?"

Ignoring her increasingly annoyed gaze, Charles let her go, turned, and walked out, "Yeah, showering together would save time."

At the door, he stopped, turned to look at her, and said, "Honey, I'll be back in twenty minutes."

After Charles left, Anna closed the bathroom door and turned on the shower.

Even Anna didn't realize that after Charles's playful interruption, her nervousness had eased up a lot.

Charles was punctual. As promised, he returned to the bedroom exactly in twenty minutes.

Another ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened.

There were no pajamas inside. Thanks to Michael's earlier disruption, she hadn't packed anything. No clothes she could wear at Regal Retreat, so she came out wrapped in a clean bathrobe.

Charles sat on the edge of the bed, watching her walk over step by step. When she got close, he grabbed her wrist, pressed her onto the bed, and leaned over her.

Kisses fell like raindrops.

Charles held her waist tightly.

"Were you intimate with Michael?"

Anna's long eyelashes fluttered. She didn't open her eyes and gently shook her head.

The next second, Charles's phone on the bedside table rang incessantly.

The ringtone and messages kept coming.

Charles didn't want to pay attention, but the person was very persistent, the ringtone ringing over and over.

Charles let go of Anna, reached for his phone, and casually glanced at the latest message.

It was a few friends asking him to drink.

His fingers moved, and he replied with one sentence.

[Get lost! It's my wedding night!]

After sending it, he turned off his phone.

Anna only had time to open her mouth before Charles sealed her lips again. In a daze, she seemed to hear a voice calling "Anna."

Anna's eyelids moved, her long eyelashes fluttering.

Charles lay beside her, propping his head with his hand, "Anna, should we make our marriage public?"

Anna didn't hear clearly what he said, mumbled a response, and fell into a deep sleep.

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