Lucian took a sip of the soup. He placed the spoon back with a little force, and it clanged against the bowl.

He then lifted the blankets and lay down. Calista still had her back to him as she turned off her bedside lamp. After that, she closed her eyes, ready to sleep.

For the past year, they would sometimes sleep in the same bed. But there was always space between them. The bed was big enough to fit two people.

However, that night was different.

Calista was fast asleep when Lucian suddenly pressed his body against her. His firm chest pressed against her back, and she was wrapped in his embrace. She could feel his muscles through the thin layers of his clothing.

His hot and rough breath brushed against her ear, raising the temperature in the room. It was scorching.

Before Calista could react, she felt something pressing against her waist. She froze for a moment before understanding what Lucian wanted.

“Lucian …”

Her voice trembled as she spoke. It was mostly from being startled, though nervousness was also part of it. She was scared Lucian would force himself on her.

Calista had anticipated this happening when she first got married. However, his indifference over the years had worn away any of her hopes. Now, with the divorce looming, they couldn’t afford to complicate matters by sleeping together.

Some mistakes should only be made once.

“Hmm?” Lucian’s hoarse voice sounded above her head. The hint of dominance in it was impossible to ignore.

In the next second, Lucian turned her over and pinned her beneath him. He gazed into her eyes from above.

Calista calmed herself down. “I don’t want it,” she said. She tried to push him away.

“Didn’t you complain that I don’t satisfy you? You seemed pretty eager when you gave me the soup. I thought you were horny enough to sit on me and start moving. But now you’re saying that you don’t want it. Playing hard to get, huh?” Lucian’s lips were inches from hers.

Calista could tell that Lucian was saying something was wrong with the soup. “I don’t know what’s happening,” she tried to explain.

“Do you think I’ll believe that? It’s not the first time you’ve done something like this.”

“You …”

Calista felt helpless whenever he brought it up. He always found a way to force her to recall that night.

“I’ll say it again. That happened because …”

Lucian covered her lips with his before she could finish. She was forced to swallow back her words.

Calista was surprised. With her hands on his chest, she tried to push him away. However, Lucian deepened the kiss in response. It wasn’t at all gentle but was forceful and possessive.

He bit her lip, and she could taste a hint of blood in her mouth. Her mind spun from the lack of oxygen. Then, Lucian’s scorching hand touched her. With a jolt, she realized that the buttons of her shirt had been undone.

Calista turned her head away to stop him from kissing her. “Lucian, let go of me.”

She struggled with all her might to break free from his grasp. However, women were naturally weaker when it came to strength.

Lucian’s lips were swollen from the kiss. “Didn’t you want a divorce because of my S**ual dysfunction and inability to meet your needs? Now that there’s nothing wrong with me, your reasons are invalid.”

Lucian propped himself up and half-knelt on the bed. He grabbed her chin and tilted her head toward him. Just like that, Calista was forced to look at him.

Calista could see his bulge in that position.

Although Lucian was as indifferent as ever, his every word caused Calista to tense up. “Are you happy with what you see?”

Calista was rendered speechless.

Her expression was grim. However, his phone rang just as she was about to refute him. He quickly grabbed it from the bedside table. When he saw who was calling, he furrowed his brow.

It was Lily’s manager.

Lucian swiped his phone to answer the call. “What’s the matter?”

Lucian tried to move away from Calista as he talked. However, she suddenly extended her hand despite avoiding him just now.

Lucian stiffened when her soft lips came near him. He lowered his lids, and his darkened eyes were murderous. His teeth ground in frustration.

The person on the other end was still talking. Calista could only manage to hear some of the conversation.

As she thought, the person told Lucian something was wrong with Lily again. It was just a way to get him to go over and check on her.

Lucian sent a warning gaze to Calista. However, she lifted her chin at him provocatively.

She answered his earlier question, “I’m more than satisfied. You even last quite long in bed. I can’t take it any longer. Go slower.”

Her voice was just enough to let the person on the phone hear.

Calista had done it on purpose. After all, she didn’t mind using every trick in the book to steal a man.

Lucian felt a lump in his throat. His grip on the phone tightened, making his knuckles turn white.

The voice on the other end of the line spoke again. “Mr. Northwood, Lily’s dancing career will be over if she’s disabled.”

The person continued, “She had endured a lot at the beginning of her career. She wanted to become a renowned dancer as soon as possible to not hold you back with her background. Now she’s hurt and needs physical therapy every week.”

Lucian pursed his lips. He then got down from the bed. “Keep a good eye on her.”

Calista didn’t try to stop him from leaving. She didn’t want to embarrass herself. She already knew he wouldn’t bother with her.

She didn’t plan on stealing Lucian back. However, she wouldn’t pass up the chance to annoy Lily and take revenge.

Lucian immediately got changed. He left the room without saying a single word to his wife.

Everyone was fast asleep. Only the dim hallway lights were switched on.

When he walked to the entrance, the enormous crystal chandelier in the living room suddenly lit up.

Selena was standing at the kitchen entrance. She was holding the light’s controller. “It’s so late. Where are you going?”

Lucian furrowed his brow. “Mom, why haven’t you slept yet?”

“I’m asking where you’re planning on going. You’re abandoning Calista in the middle of the night.”

Lucian pursed his lips. He answered calmly, “I lost control just now and accidentally hurt her. I’m going to buy some medicine for her now.”