My Cold-Hearted Husband Wants Me Back
Chapter 33: Benefits

Chapter 33: Benefits

"Let’s strike a deal," Eryx suddenly suggested, crossing his arms with a wide smile on his face.

"What deal? I don’t want anything to do with you anymore," Lunara shot back, her tone firm. "I’d really appreciate it if you just agreed to a divorce." She was determined to end this so-called marriage once and for all.

Eryx didn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes studied her with an expression Lunara couldn’t quite read.

"What? Change your mind already?" she scoffed, crossing her arms. "I guess all men are the same."

His smirk widened, mischief flickering in his gaze. "How are all men the same? I’m different." His tone was teasing, and Lunara had no doubt his mind was already filled with whatever shameless thoughts he was about to throw her way.

Lunara scoffed, crossing her arms. "Different? Yeah, right. Two years ago, when I was just a plain, boyish girl, you couldn’t even be bothered to look at me. But now that I’ve finally embraced who I am, suddenly you’re all clingy?"

Eryx’s smirk didn’t falter. If anything, he looked even more amused. "Ah, so you admit you’ve changed?"

She shot him a glare. "Here you go again!"

He leaned in slightly, resting his elbow on his knee as he studied her. "You’re right. You’re not the same as before. I should’ve looked at you carefully before."

Lunara felt her frustration bubble over. "The audacity!" She bit her lip. "So, if I had stayed the way I was, you’d still be off doing whatever it is you’ve been doing for the past two years?"

Eryx didn’t answer immediately, but his smirk faded slightly. "Maybe," he admitted, his voice lowered this time. "But that’s not what happened, is it?"

Lunara’s heart pounded in irritation. "And now you expect me to just sit here and entertain whatever game you’re playing?"

Eryx leaned back, shrugging. "Not a game. Let’s call it... unfinished business."

She let out a loud sigh before trying to get off the bed, but Eryx stopped her immediately. His arm wrapped around her waist, holding her in place.

"Where do you think you’re going? We haven’t reached an agreement yet," he murmured, his voice teasing but firm.

"Move your hand," she warned, her glare sharp. "And behave. Who said you could touch me?"

Eryx smirked but didn’t budge. "You’re my wife. Why wouldn’t I touch you?"

Lunara clenched her jaw. "Correction! Your wife only on paper. And not for long."

Eryx’s hold didn’t loosen. Instead, he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Then let’s renegotiate. What if I don’t want a divorce?"

Lunara stiffened, her hands pressing against his chest, trying to push him away. "Then that’s your problem, not mine."

Eryx chuckled, finally releasing her just enough to let her move. "You’re feisty. I like it."

Lunara wasted no time scooting to the far end of the bed, keeping her eyes on him warily. "Whatever you’re planning, just drop it. I’m not interested in playing along."

Eryx tilted his head, watching her with amusement. "Who said you had a choice?"

Lunara’s brows instantly furrowed, her heart pounding faster. "What do you mean?"

Eryx pulled Lunara closer. "Simple. I’m not letting you go that easily."

Lunara’s throat tightened. "You can’t just decide that on your own. A marriage takes two people, and I’m telling you right now... I don’t want this."

Eryx smirked, his gaze darkening. "Then convince me otherwise."

Lunara clenched her fists and pushed him away. "That’s not how this works. You abandoned me for two years, Mr. Grantham. And now, out of nowhere, you waltz back in and expect me to just accept it?"

"I never said you had to accept it right away. These things take time." His face was far too close, his voice dripping with confidence. "For now, let’s come up with a deal."

Lunara’s chest rose and fell sharply, her anger barely contained. "Is this about your mother? You are using me to challenge her, right? I thought you got what you wanted two years ago."

Eryx’s smirk deepened, but there was something in his gaze, something unreadable. "Did I? Because from where I’m standing, it seems like I let go of something... interesting."

She scoffed, yanking her wrist from his grip. "Spare me the act. If your mother weren’t involved, you and I wouldn’t even meet again."

"Oh! That’s right... Should I thank my mother for her efforts?" He suddenly pulled her forward, making her eyes widen.

"Mr. Grantham! Control your hands! What are you doing right now? Are you a pervert? Do you have some kind of kink for pulling women onto your lap?" Lunara burst out, struggling to break free.

Eryx chuckled, his grip steady but not forceful. "Only you," he admitted casually. "Strange, isn’t it? I don’t even know why, but something about you just pulls me in."

Lunara stilled for a brief moment, her heart pounding in her chest. "Well, unpull yourself!" she snapped, shoving at his shoulders.

Eryx couldn’t hold back his laughter. "Unpull? How exactly do I do that? Is there some invisible string I need to cut?" He raised a teasing brow, his grip on her waist firm but not forceful.

Lunara huffed in frustration. "Yes! Cut it, burn it, do whatever it takes, just let go!"

Eryx leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "What if I don’t want to?"

Her breath hitched, but she masked it with a glare. "Then I’ll do it myself," she declared, attempting to push him away again.

This time, instead of resisting, Eryx let her go, too suddenly. Caught off guard, Lunara stumbled backward, almost losing her balance.

Eryx clicked his tongue. "Tsk. So reckless."

Lunara shot him a glare as she steadied herself. "Oh, is this how you play?"

Eryx leaned back lazily, arms crossed. "I’m just stating the facts."

She scoffed, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve. "Right. And the fact is, you’re an arrogant jerk who thinks he can just come and go into my life like nothing happened."

His smirk didn’t waver. "And yet, here we are. Talking. Arguing. Close enough to—"

"Don’t even finish that sentence," she cut him off, pointing a firm finger at him. "We are not close. You are just a pervert trying to create a situation that gives you an advantage."

Eryx’s smirk widened, his gaze flickering to her lips before locking onto her eyes. "If I were a pervert, I’d go straight for your lips," he said, voice low and deliberate. "Because you know what? They’re calling me, and I’m holding myself back right now."

Lunara’s breath caught in her throat. "You—!" Her hands curled into fists as she glared at him.

He shrugged casually. "I’m telling you the truth."

She crossed her arms tightly. "Then go ahead," she challenged, tilting her chin up. "Let’s see if you actually have the guts."

Eryx raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "Careful, wifey. I never hesitate when I get an offer I want."