The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 199: Sleepless nights

Chapter 199: Sleepless nights

For hours, Beatrix laid there, fixated on the wall before her. Her eyes burned, exhausted from the sleep her body desperately craved but couldn’t find, and from the tears she had fought back throughout the night. She had shed enough tears in the past few weeks, and she was resolute in her determination not to succumb to them again.

The situation she found herself in felt like a form of cruel and inhumane torment, particularly because she knew Rhys,was just in the adjacent room. Her heart ached to be close to him, yet her rational mind scolded her for entertaining such impractical longings. It was a unique kind of suffering altogether.

Just as she was on the verge of drifting off to sleep, a sudden sound jolted her awake. Beatrix frowned when she heard it again, it sounded like someone was knocking on her door.

Beatrix hesitated for a moment, her mind wrestling with conflicting thoughts. Should she ignore the sound and continue wallowing in her solitude, or should she summon the strength to investigate its source? The prospect of interaction was daunting, but the curiosity gnawing at her won out in the end.

Slowly, she pushed herself up from the bed, her muscles protesting the movement after hours of immobility. She brushed her disheveled hair away from her face, trying to compose herself as best as she could. With each step toward the door, her heartbeat quickened, a mix of anticipation and apprehension coursing through her veins.

She reached the door and hesitated once more, her hand hovering above the doorknob. "Who could it be?" she wondered aloud. It seemed unlikely that anyone would seek her out at this hour, given her self-imposed seclusion. Nevertheless, her curiosity demanded an answer.

Summoning her courage, Beatrix turned the doorknob and pulled the door open just a crack, peeking through the narrow opening. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw a figure standing in the dimly lit hallway. It was Rhys, his eyes red-rimmed and his face etched with concern.

"R-Rhys?" Beatrix stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "What are you doing here?"

Rhys expression softened as he took in her disheveled appearance. "Bea, I couldn’t sleep. Can I come in?"

Beatrix’s heart swelled with conflicting emotions. Relief washed over her, but she also felt a tinge of guilt for pushing him away. She stepped back, opening the door wider to allow him entrance.

"Did you have nightmares?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rhys’ 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 her room again as if he couldn’t find the right words to say.

"I couldn’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking about you."

His abrupt statement caught her off guard because she wasn’t expecting him to say this. She rubbed the back of her neck and turned to look at the time it was 2am.

Beatrix let out a small yelp when she turned and saw him on his knees with his head bowed.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Beatrix asked, alarmed.

"From the moment I met you," he began, his voice shaking slightly

"You captured my heart in a way I never thought possible. Your presence in my life has brought light and meaning to every day, and I find myself constantly drawn to your warmth and beauty."

He looked up at her as he continued, his voice growing stronger yet laced with a touch of awe.

"You’ve become the center of my world. Your smile brightened even the darkest moments, and the sound of your laughter is music to my ears

You’ve consumed my thoughts and filled my heart in a way I never thought possible. Every moment spent with you has become a cherished memory, etched deeply into my soul."

His words flowed with a gentle intensity, each sentence carefully chosen to convey the depth of her affection. He continued, his voice growing softer yet more resolute.

"You’ve become the person I long for in the morning and dream of at night. Your laughter brings me joy, your touch ignites a fire within me, and your presence makes every day brighter. The way you see the world, the kindness in your actions, and the way you make me feel... It’s undeniable, Beatrix, I love you."

Beatrix stiffened.

" I tried to drink until I couldn’t remember you and it never worked. Because the thought of you being with another person is enough to drive me insane..

I couldn’t stop picturing him kissing you too... touching you, and I just wanted to do fucking anything to get it out of my head -- I had no right to be upset, I know that. I know I was being an idiot. But it..." he trailed off for a moment, then sucked in a breath,

"It felt like someone had a fist around my heart, and squeezed so tight I couldn’t breathe. It physically fucking hurt, my whole body hurt."

Rhys’ words started to come out faster as he began to ramble, like he had all of these words rehearshing in his head for hours,

"And then I knew that I had to fight for you. It was stupid to think I can survive without you.

That’s why I came everyday to see you and everyday I have to see you with another man. Do you know how painful that is? I thought I had been through the worst pain but this—-" He let out a distress sigh.

Beatrix could already feel her resolve crumbling, that tight feeling in the chest was coming back as she tried to keep it together and not show how much he’s affecting her.

It felt like someone was standing on her chest.

"Nothing is going on between me and those men. I just need a distraction and they’re good at doing that. I met them on a dating site and we went on dates. I don’t even meet the same person twice. Now can you please let me go to sleep."

She said, barely looking at him. She didn’t trust herself to look at him right now, not after what he had just said.

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