Chapter 225 The Proposal

Charles’s heart tightened upon seeing her react in this manner. This was not what he was expecting. At least, he knew how to patch things up. One word was enough to fix her mood.

“Guess who’s coming for dinner,” he said.

Her eyes gleamed all of a sudden.

“Is it Edwin?”

“That’s right. He is eager to meet you.”

Bella felt better when she heard that but soon she had another thing to worry about. She was not in a good relationship with Charles. It would be quite awkward if they had a quarrel in front of Edwin. She didn’t want him to believe that his sister was in the wrong hands.

Bella, like most people, wanted to show their best side when in the presence of the ones they loved. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wise to show him the kind of life she was leading.

“I have a small suggestion,” she said.

“What is it?”

“I would like you to guarantee that we will not have a quarrel in front of Edwin. Once you agree to this, you can also ask me for a favor in return.”

“You can call it a deal,” said Charles and licked his lips.

“Anything except sex.”

Charles frowned after hearing those words. His light blue eyes turned into dark blues in a minute. He got angry. Bella stepped back at the sight of that and grabbed the edge of the table.

Why was he so angry with such a proposal? Why did sex always have to be so important?

Charles looked at her puzzled look and realized that she did not know where she did wrong. He sighed. What he wanted was that she could speak out her thoughts bravely. She was his wife!

“You will agree to do anything except sleeping with me?”

“Yes.”

“What if I want you to love me?”

“This is ludicrous. People don’t have control over this kind of thing. Life would be so much easier if you could choose who you love, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work this way. Why don’t you ask for something more plausible?”

“Example?”

“I can cook for you, do the housework, and wash your clothes. Stuff like that.”

“I pay people to do these things for me.”

Bella blushed out of awkwardness. He was right.

“How about a massage?”

“I got professional masseurs who can do a much better job than you.”

Charles crossed his hands before his chest and looked at her. Bella could feel his gaze piercing her skin and digging under the surface.

“I guess there is not that much I can do for you but that doesn’t mean I’m useless. I have something that nobody else can offer you. I’m talking about my blood.”

Charles gave a sarcastic sneer.

“Have you forgotten that your blood is already mine? There is nothing that you can trade with me.”

“How can you be like that?”

No matter what she did, she was unable to escape from Charles. He was right when he said she had no leverage.

“What do you want then?”

Bella bit her lip and her voice trembled out of hopelessness. If he suggested sex again, she would be unable to say no.

“I suggest that we do not argue during the dinner,” he said and smiled.

Bella’s lower jaw dropped to the ground. Charles Williams had done it again!

“I promise that we shall not quarrel for the rest of our lifetimes.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead making her heart beat faster. She didn’t know whether this was because of his physical presence or his sweet words.

“Thank you,” she replied.

“I will leave you now to change into something more appropriate for the situation. After all, you’re going to meet with your brother for the first time.”

Charles straightened up. He reached out his hands and stroked her face lightly. 

“I will let you know when Edwin arrives.”

Bella stood there, staring at Charles and watching he leave. After a long while, she collected herself. She pondered on whether there was anything wrong with her. Why did she agree to everything he said? Why did she have to change clothes? What she wore now was decent enough. There was no need to dress up like the Queen of England.

She reluctantly opened her wardrobe and browsed through her collection.

There was a tight pink dress that she had never worn before and she was always dying to try it out. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity to do that. She searched for a matching set of lacy underwear and began undressing in front of the wardrobe mirror.

She stood naked in front of the mirror and gazed at her slender form. Maybe Charles was right. She ought to be beautiful for her first meeting with her true family.