?Chapter 158:


    Some had faded with time, but the ones on her back were still painfully obvious. A few remained swollen, showing no signs of healing just yet.


    That night in the bathroom, she had been covered up—he hadn’t seen the bruises.


    Norton pushed the nket aside and stepped closer.


    The memory of that night made Yvonne curl up instinctively, a faint tremor running through her.


    “What… what are you doing?” She sat up, curling into herself, her arms hugging her body tightly.


    Norton reached out, his warm hand wrapping around her ankle as he pulled her closer.


    Yvonne’s voice wavered with fear. “I know you want to fulfill Edmond’s wish, but…”


    Before she could finish, his hand pressed gently against a bruise on her thigh.


    “When did you get this?”


    “The day of the crash.”


    “Did you put any medicine on it?”


    “I did, but the doctor said they’d take time to fade and that I should massage them sometimes.”


    Norton pressed his palm lightly against the bruise.


    Even his gentle touch made her wince. “It hurts…”


    “Where else?” His voice was cold, his gaze piercing.


    Yvonne thought about the massive bruise on her back. Back then, the impact had left her in unbearable pain.


    When she finally saw it in the mirror, her back was a mess of deep purple. Honestly, it wasn’t a pleasant sight.


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    With such arge area covered in bruises, she didn’t want him to see it.


    She didn’t want him to witness this vulnerable side of her.


    But it was toote. He had already pulled up her nightgown.


    When Norton saw the bruises marring Yvonne’s back, a sharp chill ran through him, sinking into his bones. His entire body tensed as a cold fury settled in his chest.


    Sensing his shift, Yvonne hurriedly pulled her nightgown back on, her fingers gripping the fabric as if shielding herself from his reaction.


    She was terrified that the sight of her bruises had repulsed him. Her voice was barely above a whisper, soft and uncertain. “I didn’t want you to see. You insisted.”


    His jaw clenched, his anger simmering. “If I hadn’t seen it myself, just how long were you nning to hide this from me?”


    She said nothing. She had never intended to tell him. She didn’t want his pity.


    “Wait for me on the bed.”


    His voice was firm as he turned and walked out. When he returned, he carried a medical kit.


    “Lie down and turn your back to me,”


    Though his expression remainedposed, his tone had softened.


    Yvonne’s hands clenched around her nightgown as she shook her head. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but there’s really no need.” She wasn’t ready toy her wounds bare again.


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