?<strong>Chapter 414:</strong>


    Carrie’s tired eyes flickered with suspicion as she caught the yful gleam in his. “I can wash myself,” she muttered weakly.


    But Kristopher simply scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom, ignoring her protest.


    As expected, his idea of a bath was anything but innocent.


    Several roundster, Carrie’s voice cracked with exhaustion as she whimpered, her words tinged with tears. “It hurts…


    I really can’t take it anymore.


    If we go on like this, I’ll break.”


    Only then did Kristopher stop, finally listening to her < pleas.


    He ced her gently on the bathroom counter and spread her legs to inspect her reddened skin. "Be good," he said softly. "Let me apply some ointment."


    As he leaned in to tend to her, he paused, his gaze lingering on the marks of their passion.


    A strange pride flickered across his face.


    He nted a kiss on her flushed skin before continuing.


    Carrie''s body went limp under his attentions.


    When his lips found hers again, she melted into the kiss in spite of herself.


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    "See?" Kristopher teased, a yful grin tugging at his lips. "You''re still okay."


    Carrie let out a weak protest, her handnding on his arm with no strength behind it.


    Kristopher chuckled, but didn''t press further.


    Instead, he carefully cleaned her up, applied more ointment, and dried her hair.


    He dressed her in a silky nightgown, but Carrie shook her head, her voice weak.


    "I want to wear pajamas," she said carefully.


    "It''s too hot," Kristopher replied with a chuckle, ignoring her protest as he carried her back to bed.


    He gentlyid her down and pulled the covers over her, but before she could rx, she firmly reminded him, "Really, not tonight.


    Kristopher kissed her forehead and smiled. "Sleep now." For once, he kept his word, lying down beside her and wrapping her securely in his arms.


    The Next Morning


    The soft rays of sunlight warmed Carrie''s face as she stirred awake. Her eyshes fluttered as she reached out instinctively, expecting to find Kristopher beside her. Her handnded on empty sheets. She opened her eyes, blinking in confusion. The faint aroma of food wafted into the bedroom, and the distant tter of tes reached her ears.


    Throwing off the nket, Carrie tried to stand, but a sharp soreness shot through her legs. She stumbled slightly. Wincing, she walked with tentative steps toward the hallway. Peering downstairs, she spotted Kristopher carrying a tray of food. His sleeves were rolled up, his movements purposeful yet rxed.


    Noticing her at the top of the stairs, Kristopher looked up and raised the tray slightly, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Sleepyhead, freshen up ande down for breakfast," he called out.


    Carrie lingered for a moment, watching him. A strange warmth blossomed in her chest. She thought back to the past, to the early days of their marriage. Back then, she had been timid and uncertain, carefully treading around him as though he were her savior. Kristopher had rescued her from her family''s chaos, and she had devoted herself entirely to him, believing that love meant serving him without question. But that kind of love had suffocated her.


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