Chapter 41
William Johnson hadn't returned to No.1 Jinzhou Bay for two days. Emily Smith stayed in the apartment, quietly recording audiobooks for two days straight.
After straining her voice during the last recording session, she'd learned her lesson. Now she always kept a cup of warm honey water nearby, taking occasional sips to soothe her throat.
The Sunday night recording session lasted until past eleven. The moment she slipped under the covers, a familiar cramping pain twisted through her lower abdomen.
Her period was coming.
She got up to put on a sanitary napkin before lying back down. But the pain only intensified, like someone wringing a towel inside her belly.
Half an hour later, she had no choice but to take the painkillers prescribed by her doctor. The bitter taste lingered as the pill slid down her throat.
As the medication took effect, she finally drifted into a groggy sleep.
In her half-conscious state, she suddenly felt a warm body press against her back. A man's large hands turned her over and slipped under her pajamas with practiced ease.
Slap!
The sharp sound of the slap cut through the darkness. Emily jolted awake, her fingertips still tingling from the contact with his cheek.
The air froze.
She could feel his breathing grow heavier, the warmth of his exhales burning against her neck. Her eyelashes fluttered as she squeezed her eyes shut.
The next instant, his previously gentle touch turned rough.
"William!" She curled into a defensive ball. "I'm on my period. It hurts."
His hand had already reached lower, brushing against the edge of the sanitary napkin. His movements halted abruptly.
Only their ragged breaths filled the darkness.
With a soft click, the bedside lamp flickered on. Emily immediately buried her face in the pillow like a startled ostrich.
"Hit me and then play dead?" William's voice carried a dangerous edge. "You're the first person who's ever dared to slap me."
A muffled reply came from the pillow. "I was half-asleep..."
"Awake now?" He leaned down, his hot breath grazing the back of her ear. "Tell me, how are you going to make it up to me?"
Emily stayed silent, pretending to be dead.
Her ankle received a light but firm kick. "Talk."
"Do whatever you want." She gave up resisting.
William chuckled darkly, his lips nearly touching her earlobe. "How about a bloody battle?"
Emily's hand shot up again, but this time he caught her wrist effortlessly.
"Getting addicted to hitting me?" His voice had dropped to a rough whisper.
She continued playing dead, fingers unconsciously clutching the sheets.
Noticing how she kept one hand pressed to her stomach, William suddenly released her and got out of bed. His footsteps faded as he walked away, disappearing into the living room.
Emily slowly lifted her head from the pillow. The chandelier on the ceiling made her eyes sting.
Was he really letting her off that easily?
The pain in her abdomen grew more pronounced in the silence. Tossing and turning, she couldn't fall asleep, so she quietly slipped out of bed.
The motion-activated hallway lights flickered on with each step she took. The sound of running water came from the kitchen.