Gwh didn''t believe a word he said, frantically beating at him, trying to get him off of her.


    Hawthorne pinned her hands above her head, pressing his entire body down on hers as he kissed her relentlessly. No matter how she twisted away, his lips always found hers.


    "Gwyn, listen to me. My feelings for you are real. No matter what happens, I will never betray you. There were no other women before you, and there will never be another woman after you."


    Gwh froze.


    She knew Patti Yale existed. He had even admitted to her face that he couldn''t fire her. And yet, for some reason, when Hawthorne Everhart said those words, a part of her was bewitched into wanting to believe him.


    In that moment of hesitation, he sealed her lips with another kiss. Fueled by alcohol, the two lovers finally melted into each other''s arms.


    As night fell, everything that was meant to happen, happened.


    The stars glittered outside the car, while inside, the air was thick with a haze of intimacy.


    After their passion subsided, Gwh fell into a deep sleep in Hawthorne''s arms.


    He tenderly covered her with a nket, worried the cold air conditioning would chill her, and then drove them home.


    His emotions had run high, and it had been a long time for him; the desire had been overwhelming. Holding Gwh in his arms, he couldn''t have possibly restrained himself. He just felt terrible that his bride had to spend their wedding night engaged in such a ndestine act in a car. They were husband and wife, but it felt like they were having a sordid affair, especially after abandoning all their guests on such an important day.


    The Langford family had seen Hawthorne carry a drunk Gwh away. They decided not to interfere in the young couples affairs turning


    a blind eye as long as the wedding went off without a hitch.


    After Hawthorne brought Gwh home, he gave her a bath and changed her into


    her pajamas. She waspletely passed out from the alcohol.


    Hawthorne had drunk a lot as well, especially after Gwh forced that full ss of vodka on him. All told, hed had at least a liter and a hah. But for him, that amount of alcohol was nothing. Just as he finished settling Gwh in, Victoria called.


    "What happened with Gwyn today? She seemed to have had a lot to drink. Is she okay?" Victoria was worried, but she was smart enough not to interrogate Hawthorne.


    “She''s fine, just drunk. I brought her home to rest. Mom, thank you and Grandfather for everything today. It must have been exhausting."


    "We''re family; don''t mention it. You take care of Gwyn and get some rest too. You have to meet some of the Langford rtives tomorrow, so it''ll be a bit busy." "Okay, I understand, Mom."


    He was indeed exhausted from the wedding. The intense session with Gwh in the car, where he''d taken her twice until she was begging for mercy, had left him physically and mentally drained.


    But with so much on his mind, he couldn''t sleep.


    Looking at the unconscious Gwh, he felt a wave of agitation. He lit a cigarette and stepped out onto the balcony, letting the wind cool him down.


    The night breeze in Starfall City was refreshing. March felt like it was already on the cusp of summer, with scorching days followed by pleasantly cool, sea-scented evenings.


    Hawthorne''s mind was in turmoil. Gwh''s tears had shaken him deeply. He once thought his feelings for her weren''t strong enough to make him act like a moth drawn to a me, but today, as he held her and watched herery her heart out, for a fleeting moment, he had actually wanted to give up his n to defeat James.