<b>Chapter </b><b>688 </b>
Jareth slumped into the living room, his mood a heavy thundercloud. Lily had just coaxed Mari to sleep and was descending the staircase.
His gaze lifted wearily, shing inadvertently with hers, startling her so much that she quickly lowered her head.
“Don’t hang your head so low. Burying it in the ground, what, you’re an ostrich?” He said with a hint of irritation knitting his brows.
Jareth settled onto the couch, pulling a cigarette from its pack and cing it between his l*ps, but he hesitated to light it, remembering Mari hated the smell of smoke.
Lily dared not lift her gaze. Usually so aloof and proud in front of others, she now stood there, meek and guilt–ridden, wishing she <b>could </b>disappear into a crack in the floor.
“Come here.”
The few steps to Jareth felt like an eternity for Lily.
“Is Mari asleep?” His voice was a deep rumble.
“Yes.” Lily’s voice trembled, her eyes downcast, “I’ll pack my things and leave right away. I won’t trouble you any further.”
“Stay,” Jarethmanded coldly, yet his words were a reprieve to Lily.
“You and Mari are like sisters. I know she can’t even eat without you.”
Jareth plucked the cigarette from his mouth and snapped it in his hand, his heart not quite hard enough to dismiss this woman who had been so loyal to him, “Stay and take care of Mari. Even though you’ve ruined a couple of her dresses with your clumsyundry skills and your cooking is mediocre at best. I trust no one else with her. Just don’t let there be a second time, or I won’t fire you; I’ll chop you.”
<b>The </b>threat was obviously in jest, yet Lily still felt the weight of shame; head down, she barely held back tears.
“I’m sorry, I won’t let <b>it </b>happen again.”
Deep into the night.
Jareth, dressed in a pajama set that matched his wife’s, was reviewing documents by the soft glow of a floormp. He wasn’t possessed by the workaholic spirit of a Thaddeus; he was simply restless and unable to sleep, looking for a distraction.
“Uh, <b>don’t </b>hit me! Don’t hit me!”
Suddenly, Mari kicked the covers in her sleep, her b*dy twisting as if pinned down, her cries muffled with panic, “Don’t hit me, <b>don’t </b>hit me! I’m a retard, I’m <b>an </b>idiot! Please, stop hitting me!”
“Mari<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Jareth’s pupils contracted<b>, </b>and he rushed to <b>the </b>bedside<b>, </b>scooping <b>her </b>slender waist and holding this girl trapped <b>in </b>a nightmare into his arms, <b>“</b><b>It’s </b><b>okay, </b><b>it’s </b>okay. Your husband’s right here; don’t be afraid.”
“<b>Don’t </b>hit me<b>, </b><b>please </b>stop<b>.</b>”
He <b>held </b>her <b>tightly</b><b>, </b>his <b>hand </b>patting her damp back, “Who’s hitting you, Mari<b>? </b>Tell me<b>, </b>who<b>?” </b>
Mari’s eyes flew <b>open</b><b>, </b>panting <b>heavily</b>, a cold sweat soaking her skin.
“Mari<b>, </b>who’s been bullying <b>you</b><b>? </b>Tell me, who?<b>” </b>
Jareth’s eyes were <b>a </b><b>fierce </b>red, his tone insistent <b>and </b>fierce, <b>“</b>If anyone dares touch <b>you</b>, I’ll y them!”
A day full of thoughts <b>led </b><b>to </b>a night full of dreams. If something hadn’t <b>happened</b>, why would Mari suffer such nightmares<b>? </b>
Yet he always kept his <b>wife </b>well protected. <b>Lily </b>was almost <b>always </b><b>by </b>her side at school. Who could <b>possibly </b>bully her<b>? </b>
‘No, nob*dy”
Mari wrapped her arms <b>around </b>him<b>, </b>shaking <b>her </b>head<b>, </b><b>“</b>It must have been <b>the </b>scare earlier. <b>Just </b>a nightmare. Nob*dy has
bullied me.*
She wanted to forget those memorjes more terrifying than her nightmares, as <b>if </b><b>they </b>never happened, especially since the one who had hurt her was Jareth’s own sister
Blood was thicker than water, she didn’t want <b>to </b>make her loved one choose sides.
“Really, Mani? it was just a nightmare<b>?</b><b>” </b><b>Jareth </b>k*ssed her forehead, his l*ps cold with fear.
102
10:32
“Yes, just a dream.”
Mari’s eyes were tearful as she returned the k*ss to his Adam’s apple, “Let’s sleep together. With you by my side, I’m not afraid of anything.”
Jareth had been restraining himself due to the injuries on her b*dy, but with his wife’s gentle provocation, his blood boiled. He gently pressed her <b>into </b>the mattress, k*ssing her corbone, her chin<b>, </b>her l*ps and then, like a wildfire, he became even more passionate.
Their desires surged like the tide, their love ebbed like the sea.
Mari’s youthful charm and tender vulnerabilities always moved Jareth deeply, leaving him insatiable. Her slender waist arched exquisitely, lifting high, each inch fitting deeper.
The moon outside paled inparison.
Because of Jareth’s audacious stunt of turning the ne around yesterday, he missed an important meeting. So today he rose <b>early</b>, ready to meet with Barry at the family estate to apologize as a matter of routine.
Mari had no habit of lingering in bed; when he woke, she woke too, helping him into his suit<b>, </b>tying his tie, increasingly taking on the role of <b>a </b>dutiful wife.
Jareth sat cross–legged on the sofa, scanning financial news on his iPad, while his wife was showering.
That was when Lily walked in with breakfast.
“Lily<b>, </b>Jareth said, his voicezy and husky from sleep, “the bedsheets are d*rty<b>; </b>change them, please.”