The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 197: Rain

Chapter 197: Rain

Beatrix gazed out into the somber rain-soaked landscape that unfolded before her. The rhythmic patter of raindrops against the glass created a symphony of melancholy, echoing the turmoil within her heart.

Her eyes were fixed on the solitary figure standing in the downpour, a familiar silhouette outlined against the gray backdrop.

It was Rhys, his tall frame shrouded in the darkness, his disheveled hair plastered against his forehead by the rain.

He stood steadfast, resolute, as if the storm raging around him was a mere whisper in comparison to the tempest that swirled within his soul.

Beatrix’s conflicted emotions tugged at her, torn between the anger and hurt that had fueled her resolve and the love that still lingered within her heart.

She could see the longing etched on Rhys’s face, the silent plea for forgiveness that emanated from his eyes.

Her own heart echoed with the unanswered questions and unspoken words that had festered between them.

The rain cascaded down in silver ribbons, each droplet mirroring the tumultuous emotions that coursed through Beatrix’s veins. As the water trailed down the windowpane, it seemed to merge with her own tears, blending the pain and the sorrow into an indistinguishable blur.

She was caught between the warmth and safety of the mansion and the tempestuous chaos of the outside world.

Beatrix’s hand trembled as she reached out to touch the cold glass, her breath fogging the windowpane. With a heavy sigh, she slowly turned away from the scene outside.

Rhys would wait, and the rain would continue to fall, but forgiveness was not a gift to be given lightly, not after how he had hurt her.

As Beatrix retreated from the window, the rain persisted, as did the steadfast figure standing in the downpour. She couldn’t help but frown. He was going to get sick. But why did she care? But deep down despite everything she knew she still loves him. Wanted him—-needed him more than ever.

Beatrix wrestled with her emotions, she knew she had to do something. She couldn’t watch him just stand in the rain all night.

Stepping away from the window, Beatrix made her way through the vast hallways of her mansion. Each step echoed, a somber reminder of the choices that lay before her. Her heart pounded in her chest, the rhythm matching the intensity of the raindrops outside.

As she approached the grand entrance, a mix of trepidation and hope coursed through her veins.

"Miss where are you going?" One of her maids who asked behind her.

Beatrix turned to look at the older woman and sighed, "I don’t even know."

She grasped the doorknob, her hand trembling ever so slightly, and swung open the heavy door.

The scent of petrichor filled the air, intermingling with the faint sound of her heart beat thumping loudly in her chest.

The world outside greeted her with a torrential downpour, the rain falling in sheets as if nature itself mirrored her inner turmoil. The stormy gray sky stretched overhead, its clouds heavy with the weight of uncertainty.

Beatrix took a hesitant step forward, her satin gown billowing around her ankles, as she ventured into the rain.

She could hear her maid shouting at her to get back and her bodyguards running to shield her from the rain.

"Miss, please get back inside. You will get sick."

Beatrix shook her head, "No...don’t stop me."

They exchanged glances and nodded, "Alright Miss."

Beatrix was surprised that they had let her go. Probably they had seen how miserable she had been. She let out a mirthless smile as she stared at the gate. She was sure he was still standing there..

The guards rushed to open the door for her as she walked towards Rhys.

Finally, they stood before each other, rain-soaked and vulnerable. The droplets clung to their hair, their clothes clinging to their forms like a second skin.

Rhys’s eyes were filled with a potent mix of longing and regret, his lips parted as if ready to speak words that held the weight of a thousand apologies.

Silence enveloped them, broken only by the symphony of raindrops and the soft whispers of the wind. Beatrix met his gaze.

His nose and cheeks are flushed from the chilling weather, and his hair is even more of an unruly mess than usual.

Her shoulders slumped while she took in the rest of his appearance, how miserable and exhausted he looked. He really did look pitiful, it was such a far away image from the confident and charismatic man she usually saw.

She hated herself for feeling sorry for him.

She wanted to not care. She wanted to say it serves him right if he got sick for doing this to himself and leave him out here but she was not like that.

It was so fucking cold tonight. She couldn’t just leave him out here, and she didn’t want to let him drive in this thunderstorm too.

"Oh - you came. I knew you wouldn’t watch me die." His words are slow, and a bit slurred. He smirked.

Beatrix’s brows creased together, while she scrunched her nose for a second wondering if he was betting his life on her coming or not.

"What are you still doing here?" She asked, staring at him as if he had lost his mind.

"How was your date? I forgot to ask you." Is all he said back, lifting his brows with his eyes as he raked his fingers through his hair.

Beatrix closed her eyes, and exhaled a slow calming breath as she clenched her jaw.

She was still worried about him, but right now all she wanted to do was slap him.

"Come on, let’s go inside. I don’t want your dead body to rot in front of my gate."

Rhys stayed still, staring at her face with a confused expression, like he couldn’t comprehend what she was saying or why she was even still talking to him.

She gestured her hand at him again, becoming impatient, "Come on,let’s go. You can’t stay out here all night and I can’t catch a cold. I have a date tomorrow."

"W-why?" He whispered.

Because I’m an idiot. She thought.

Beatrix huff, stepping forward and grabbed his arm. She just wanted this over with.

"Like I said. I love this mansion. Don’t want your ghost to haunt me when you die in front of it."

She pulled him but because he was probably weak from standing there for too long he stumbled.

She put his arm around her shoulder to keep him steady, her own arm wrapping around his waist.

When she looked up at him, he was staring down at her, their faces so close that her nose grazed his. Her breathing hitched as she froze, the intensity of their proximity overwhelming her.

She hated it.

She hated how being this close to him flooded her entire body with a mix of emotions that haunted her and tore her apart. It was a feeling that both consumed her and inflicted pain, like mourning something lost and grieving its absence simultaneously.

A/N: Please add my new book to your library. "The Earl’s Deception." Will drop the cover and synopsis in the comments please do check it out. Thank you!