The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 198: Goodnight

Chapter 198: Goodnight

Beatrix hesitated for a moment, then announced her intentions. "I’m going to take a bath and get changed," Beatrix said, gesturing towards herself. "You can take a hot shower and sleep in this room. I will have the maid bring you something that you can change into."

With that, Beatrix turned and walked out of the bathroom, determined not to give in to her emotions. She didn’t want to crumble and wrap her arms around him, despite the shared grief they both felt.

Although she should have been enjoying his misery, Beatrix found herself hating it instead. She didn’t trust him and was too afraid to believe anything he said, regardless of how desperately she wished she could.

As she removed her wet clothes and stepped into the bathroom, Beatrix tried to push away the jumble of thoughts that plagued her mind. They raced around, causing her head to ache and her emotions to spiral out of control. She felt completely irrational.

This was precisely why she despised feeling so deeply attached to someone, caring for them on such a profound level. It made her behave foolishly. She had promised herself she wouldn’t let him back in, yet here he was, inside her house.

Beatrix closed her eyes and allowed the warm water to cascade over her body, soothing her tense muscles and washing away the remnants of the day’s events. The sound of the rushing water drowned out the noise in her mind, providing a momentary respite from the whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

As she stood there, she couldn’t help but replay their history together in her mind. Their love had once been intense and passionate, but it had also been marked by heartache and betrayal. Beatrix had built walls around her heart, determined to protect herself from further pain.

But seeing him again, witnessing his vulnerability and the weight of his grief, stirred something within her. She couldn’t deny the flicker of compassion that tugged at her heartstrings. Despite her better judgment, a part of her still cared deeply for him.

The sound of the water hitting the tiles helped drown out the chaotic thoughts that swirled within her. She focused on the sensation, letting it consume her senses and temporarily wash away her worries.

As the steam filled the bathroom, Beatrix tried to find some semblance of clarity amidst the confusion. She knew she had to tread carefully, guarding herself against the vulnerabilities that had caused her pain before. Yet, a part of her couldn’t deny the lingering affection she still held for him.

Her mind replayed memories of their shared past—the laughter, the tears, and the moments of unspoken understanding. It was difficult to ignore the connection they once had, even though it had been marred by betrayal. She questioned whether it was worth risking her heart again, opening herself up to the possibility of more hurt.

Beatrix sighed, realizing that the battle between her head and heart was far from over. She couldn’t deny the allure of the familiar, the yearning for a sense of belonging that he once provided. But she also knew that trust was not easily rebuilt, and the wounds he had inflicted were still fresh.

Stepping out of the shower, Beatrix wrapped herself in a fluffy towel.As she entered her bedroom, a maid stood there, holding a neatly folded set of clothes.

Beatrix nodded her thanks and accepted the clothing, grateful for the distraction from her internal turmoil. She dismissed the maid with a polite smile, appreciating the privacy she now had to gather her thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, Beatrix opened her closet, contemplating what to wear tomorrow. The choice of clothing seemed insignificant compared to the weight of her emotions, but she couldn’t deny that dressing up in something comfortable yet stylish helped boost her confidence.

In the midst of her selection, a soft knock on the bedroom door interrupted her thoughts. Beatrix’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered if it was him.

She hesitated for a moment before gathering her composure and walking towards the door.

With trembling hands, she turned the doorknob, unsure of what she would find on the other side.

She found Rhys standing there with his head lowered.

"Rhys...do you need something?"

His eyes locked on hers, when he shook his head slowly and pulled his lower lip under his front teeth; only taking his eyes away to look around as if he couldn’t find the words he wanted to say.

Beatrix’s heart raced as she met Rhys’s gaze. She could see the turmoil in his eyes, the same pain and confusion that mirrored her own. The sight of him standing there, vulnerable and uncertain, tugged at her heartstrings once more.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, mustering the courage to speak. "What is it, Rhys?" Her voice was soft, tinged with a mixture of caution and lingering affection.

He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I... I just wanted to see how you’re doing. Standing in the rain—I was worried that you might’ve caught a cold." He rubbed the back of his neck avoiding gaze.

Beatrix’s heart softened at Rhys’s words, despite her initial reservations. His concern for her well-being was evident, and it reminded her of the caring person he used to be.

She couldn’t deny that part of her still longed for that connection they once shared.

"I appreciate your concern," Beatrix replied, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. "I’m okay. The hot shower helped, and I’ll be fine."

Rhys nodded, his gaze still fixed on the ground. "I’m glad to hear that," he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.

"I didn’t mean to cause you any more pain. I never wanted things to turn out like this."

Beatrix nodded, because she didn’t trust herself to speak right now.

His sentence sounded like he stopped himself before he can say anything else and somehow sounded like he was not just talking about them standing in rain.

She grasped the door handle, reminding herself that this is the same person that looked her in the eye and crushed her a few weeks ago.

"Goodnight Rhys, get some sleep," she hid the emotion in her voice and shut the door on him.