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Novel Catalog
Chapter 52
Shawn’s expression darkened as he regarded Gale. He was well aware of Lucas’ plans. To him, Gale was nothing more than a tool, a means to an end for producing heirs.
Gale froze, taken aback by his bluntness. “Did you agree to it?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Shawn snorted coldly, his tone dismissive. “Ridiculous.” He stepped closer, his gaze sharpening. “You don’t deserve to have my child.”
Gale’s breath caught in her chest. Relief flooded her as she realized he wasn’t interested in her carrying his child. She was already carrying one—how could she possibly become pregnant again?
With a deep sigh, she nodded, her voice steady. “I understand. I’ll play the role of Mrs. Wood, so Grandpa won’t get suspicious.”
But Shawn was visibly irritated by her nonchalance. His steps were deliberate as he approached her, pushing her roughly against the wall.
“Gale, are you stupid?” he snapped. “You should want to conceive my child.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “No, I don’t want to,” she quickly replied, shaking her head.
Shawn’s gaze was unwavering, and his words came with a biting edge. “Have you ever considered that, maybe, for the sake of the child, I might actually be kind to you? Your father in prison, your mother in the hospital—maybe they could even get a glimpse of their grandson?”
Gale met his gaze, her mind racing as she thought about it. It did sound like a possibility, but deep down, she didn’t trust Shawn. She slowly shook her head, smiling bitterly.
“Impossible,” she said, her voice firm. “If I were pregnant with your child, you would claim it as your own, cut me off, and shut the child out from my family. You wouldn’t let anyone know who the mother is.”
She was sure of it.
Shawn’s irritation deepened when he realized that Gale could read him so easily. He grabbed her chin, his fingers firm as he looked at her lips. Without a word, he leaned in, kissing her roughly. The kiss was intense, bordering on painful, but it left her breathless.
Gale instinctively tried to pull away, but Shawn’s grip tightened, holding her in place.
“Even if I want you,” he muttered against her lips, his voice low and dangerous, “I’ll watch you take the contraceptive pill. Understand?”
He pulled away, turning toward the bathroom to splash his face with cold water, his frustration palpable.
Damn it, he thought. Grandpa’s spy and the fact that Gale had to sleep in the same room as him again—he was afraid that one day, he wouldn’t be able to hold back.
When Shawn returned from the bathroom, Gale had already laid herself on the floor next to the bed. The air was filled with the soft scent of sandalwood.
“I lit the aromatherapy,” she explained quietly. “It calms the nerves and helps with sleep.”
Shawn remained silent, his expression frozen, as he began to undress. He removed the towel from his body and tossed it onto the chair. Gale, startled, quickly covered her eyes.
That was a close call. She almost saw everything.
Shawn lay down on the bed, closing his eyes, the scent of the aromatherapy filling the room. Despite feeling drowsy, he couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned restlessly.
Gale, listening to the sound of his movements, whispered, “The effect of aromatherapy paired with a massage is even better.”
Two seconds later, Shawn’s voice came, commanding and impatient. “Get up.”
Gale hesitated for a moment before climbing into the bed, gently resting his head on her lap. She began massaging his temple with her fingertips, careful and slow.
Shawn scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Heh, you planned for this.”
Gale didn’t try to deny it. “Well, yes,” she admitted.
“To please me? Is this all for the jade bracelet?” he asked, his tone cold but with a hint of curiosity.
“Yes,” she responded quietly.
Shawn closed his eyes, his face softening for a moment under the gentle light. Yet, even in his relaxed state, he remained indifferent. “It depends on your performance.”
Five minutes later, Shawn was asleep, his breathing even and calm. Gale stopped the massage, her heart racing as she realized that for the first time, she had gotten what she wanted from him—his trust, or at least a small part of it.