Wicked Husband-Chapter 134 - 133

For a fleeting moment, her thoughts stilled. Cesare slipped the watch back into his coat pocket and then opened his arms. Without thinking, Eileen stepped into his embrace, as if drawn by some unspoken force. His gloved hands were cool against her skin as he gently cupped her face. The closeness was both comforting and unnerving, and she inhaled sharply, her lips parting in a soft, surprised gasp.

Cesare’s face drew nearer, and in his red eyes, Eileen saw something dark and playful flicker—an unsettling glint that held her gaze with an intensity she couldn’t quite place.

"What if... everything I’ve said to you, everything you’ve experienced, was real?"

His hands slid slowly down to her throat, and he gripped her neck, his thumbs pressing lightly against her skin. The touch wasn’t enough to choke her, but she could feel her breath catch in her chest, the weight of his words settling over her like a shadow.

Cesare’s voice, low and calm, filled the space between them. "What if I once watched your head fall to the guillotine? Or..." His grip tightened slightly, enough to make her breath hitch. "What if I strangled you with my own hands?"

Even as Eileen’s breathing quickened, Cesare’s hands remained firmly around her throat. His face inched closer, so close she could feel his breath against her lips.

"If I killed you myself," he murmured, his words drifting over her skin.

Eileen’s lashes fluttered as she fought to steady herself. Her body trembled, and every instinct screamed for her to pull away, to run. But she forced herself to focus on the question at hand, wrestling with the right response. She had no way of knowing what Cesare wanted to hear, so she chose honesty.

"I think... I’d want to know why you went through such things."

Eileen took a deep breath, inhaling the scent that clung to him—a mix of gunpowder, cologne, and faint traces of blood. It should have unsettled her, but instead, it had a strangely calming effect. Her hands, still trembling, lightly gripped his sleeve, grounding her in the moment.

Her voice was soft but firm as she continued, "I’d find out the cause so you’d never have to endure it again."

She wanted to take away whatever pain haunted him—whether it was born from dreams, reality, or something darker she couldn’t yet comprehend. No matter the form, she wanted him free of it.

Cesare’s lips twisted into a crooked smile before he crushed his mouth against hers. The kiss was nothing like his usual gentle caresses; it was raw, hungry, as if he were trying to consume her. Eileen wanted to close her eyes, but the fiery red gaze fixed on her held her captive.

Her lips and tongue stung as his teeth nipped and bit without mercy. It wasn’t until he finally pulled back that she realized her lips throbbed, marked with faint impressions of his teeth.

Cesare licked his lips, smirking as he watched her gasp for air, her face flushed. Reaching out, he traced her swollen lips with his gloved fingers, sending a shiver down her spine.

Without releasing her, Cesare wrapped her in his arms, his touch unexpectedly gentle as he smoothed the disheveled strands of her hair. His breath was warm against her ear as he murmured, his voice laced with dark intensity, "That’s why, Eileen... you’re my nightmare."

The words pierced her chest, freezing her in place, their cold weight settling deep in her heart.

"If I’ve done anything, even just a little, to make you suffer..." she stammered, her voice trembling as she searched for the right words, her mind reeling.

Her mind went blank with fear, leaving her stammering awkwardly. "Tell me, and I’ll... I’ll change..."

But he silenced her with another fierce kiss, his hands exploring her as his grip tightened over her chest. She whimpered, but the sound was swallowed as he pressed closer, his fingers skillfully finding sensitive spots through her clothing.

Her head swam, and she struggled to find clarity amidst the haze of his touch, gasping, "Cesare, please, just a moment..."

But he was relentless, hands deftly loosening the laces of her dress. Her clothing slipped, and before she realized it, her shoulders and chest were exposed to his hungry gaze.

Startled, Eileen met Cesare’s eyes, wide with shock. He buried his face against her skin, kissing and nipping as if marking every inch of her. His teeth grazed the tender skin of her neck, sending waves of electricity through her as he left reddened marks on her pale flesh.

Finally, he pulled away, his breath heavy as he looked down at her, his expression unreadable. Resting his head against her chest, a calm seemed to settle over him, his earlier intensity giving way to a weary stillness. After a long silence, he spoke.

"Eileen..."

"Yes...?"

"Eileen..." He repeated her name like a prayer, and she found herself answering him softly each time.

At last, he whispered, "Calling you a nightmare... that was a mistake."

She held her breath.

"But don’t worry, Eileen," he murmured, his voice barely audible as he met her gaze. "This time, it’ll be different."

The obsidian-black piano gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the large window, its polished surface reflecting a rich, dark shine. Crafted by master artisans from distant lands, the instrument’s exceptional sound justified its considerable value.

Leon loved watching his younger brother play. In the hands of a gifted musician, the piano became a voice like no other. The piano room in the Imperial Palace existed solely for Cesare. Leon, who knew his brother’s skill could have made him a renowned pianist, often wished Cesare would play more often.

Standing in the sunlight, Leon took slow, measured steps toward the piano. He lingered for an absurdly long time before finally reaching it.

"..."

He stood there for a moment, simply gazing down at the instrument, before he reached out. As his fingers brushed against the piano lid, he froze, as though caught in the act of something forbidden.