Chapter 23: You can’t resist me.

Words : 1262 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 23: You can’t resist me. Anne snapped her gaze up to him and immediately regretted it. Augustine held her gaze with a quiet intensity that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. There was something in his gaze, something unreadable yet powerful, holding her captive. Her fingers instinctively curled around the edge of the table. ’Damn him.’ How did he do that? How did he make her stomach flip with nothing but a look? As if sensing her struggle, Augustine let out a soft chuckle, reaching for his cup of tea. "Relax, I’m not going to bite." Anne rolled her eyes, masking her flustered state with a huff of annoyance. She grabbed her own cup, taking a sip of tea, trying to steady the nervous flutter in her chest. Augustine wasn’t finished. He set his cup down, a mischief glinting in his gaze. "You can stare at me as much as you want," he added casually. "It’s normal for a newly wedded couple." Anne nearly choked. Heat rushed up her neck, staining her cheeks. But she still tried to act as if he and his words had no effect on her. "I don’t need to stare at you," she shot back. "Don’t forget—our marriage is convenient, a deal to bring Denis down. You don’t have to do all this." Her words landed like a cold slap. Augustine stilled. ’Convenient marriage? That’s what she thought?’ Something inside him twisted. He had been willing to pour his heart into this—to build something real between them. But to her, it was nothing more than a deal. A bitter smile ghosted across his lips. "I see," he nodded. His voice had lost its teasing edge. It was distant. The warmth in his eyes dulled, replaced by something that looked suspiciously like hurt. "Our marriage is just a deal to you," he murmured in a daze. Anne’s chest tightened. She hadn’t expected her words to affect him this much. The disappointment in his tone, the hurt look in his eyes—it tugged at something deep within her, making guilt coil in her gut. For the first time that night, she wasn’t sure if she had said the right thing. Anne parted her lips, trying to find the right words, to explain herself—but her voice stuck in her throat. "I am serious about this marriage," he said with raw sincerity. She froze. "This isn’t just a deal or a temporary arrangement for me," he continued, his dark eyes locking onto hers, unwavering. "It’s a lifetime commitment. Since we are married, I will be loyal to you, and I expect the same in return." Anne’s heart sank. "I want to love my wife," he went on, his voice deepening with conviction. "To take care of her, to build a life with her. I want a family—children. Getting even with Denis - that’s just a part of our journey together. It’s not the end goal. What I want... is a stable, happy life with you." He exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging. His chest rose and fell, his emotions pressing against him. It had been a long time since Augustine had spoken so much at once. He had always been a man of few words, preferring actions over speeches. But she had unsettled him. Her indifference, her refusal to acknowledge the reality of their marriage—it had sparked something in him. He was frustrated and anxious at the same time. He had never wanted anything as badly as he wanted her to believe in this marriage. Anne sat frozen, speechless, staring at him as if she had never truly seen him before. He looked serious, and that scared her – because she couldn’t afford to believe him. Ten years of love had given her nothing but betrayal. The man she had once worshiped, the one she had spent three years of her life with, had thrown it all away like it meant nothing. If someone she had loved so deeply could cheat on her so easily, who else could she trust? Her heart had hardened against love. Against men. And Augustine was no different. He had sought her out with a clear purpose—to bring down Denis. Their rivalry stretched back for years. Anne wouldn’t trust him. She was with him because of her own agenda, but it didn’t mean she would surrender to him and repeat the mistake of falling in love. Not yet. "But I am not sure of it," she said. "I just ended a relationship. A man I once thought was my entire life betrayed me. I don’t know if I can ever trust anyone again." It wasn’t just betrayal that haunted her. She had been killed in her past life. A tremor ran down her spine as a vivid, cruel memory resurfaced—the night Tania pushed her in front of that speeding car, her laughter echoing as Anne’s body crashed onto the cold road, pain exploding through her bones. Her fingers curled into fists. "This is the biggest shock of my life," she added, sighing deeply. "I don’t have the courage to start a new relationship, let alone fall in love again. The only reason I married you was to avenge myself, to make those who hurt me pay. Nothing else." She straightened her posture, her chin lifting slightly as she delivered the final blow. "Let me make this clear: don’t expect anything from me. I can’t give you anything." She walked away. But Augustine wasn’t one to let her go so easily. Before she could take another step, his hand shot out, catching her wrist and tugging her back. "Wait a moment." Anne gasped softly, stunned by the sudden pull. She turned, and for the first time, truly saw the storm raging in his eyes. For a long, heavy moment, neither of them spoke. They just looked at each other. Anne’s resolve was unwavering, but Augustine was adamant. He had already made up his mind. In his past life, he had been a coward. He had watched her from afar, suppressing his feelings, keeping his distance. He had let her go, convinced that her happiness lay with Denis. And what had happened? She had been betrayed. Wounded. Killed. But not this time. This time, he wouldn’t let her slip through his fingers. He would fight for her. He stepped closer, his arm snaking around her waist, pulling her against him. Anne gasped, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest. "Are you sure you don’t want me?" Augustine’s voice dropped into a husky whisper, his lips hovering just inches from hers. The challenge in his eyes made her stomach tighten, a fire sparking between them—one neither of them could ignore. Anne sucked in a sharp breath. Her fingers curled instinctively into his shirt. For the first time, she allowed herself to truly look at him. The sharp angles of his jaw, the way his lips curled slightly, the quiet intensity in his stare – all made her chest flutter. ’He is so handsome.’ The thought slipped through her mind, sending warmth creeping up her neck. Augustine leaned in closer, his breath fanning across her skin. "Are you confident you won’t fall for me?" Anne shuddered. She hated how much his closeness affected her, how her stomach fluttered, and how her pulse betrayed her. She had convinced herself that she was immune to love, that she could shut out emotions, but this—this was different. He smirked as if reading her thoughts. "You can’t resist me," he said with quiet certainty. "You will fall for me soon."

Chapter 23: You can’t resist me.

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