Free Web NovelChapter 842: Chapter 440: Saying You Live with the Same Man?
Joshua Hughes held Avery Jane, leaning against the soft couch, and he could clearly feel her body stiffen. It’s understandable; no woman would be happy hearing about her husband living with another woman, even if it was before they met.
"I was young and impulsive then. I found her straightforward and unpretentious, even considering marrying her at one point. But at the time, I couldn’t reveal my identity and was living in a rented small apartment. I never bought her anything back then. However, such a frugal life was something Donna couldn’t adapt to. She began sneaking out more and more while I was at work. Later, she began showing up with small pieces of jewelry, new clothes, and sometimes the scent on her when she came back late felt different. So one day, I followed her and discovered she was having an affair with a wealthy student from school, just one month before I was supposed to complete a mission and return. Had she endured for just a month more, I might have taken her back with me; I could have given her the life she wanted. After that, I left our rented place and never contacted her again until I ran into her at her house during my last business trip. She was warm and proactive, but I turned her down," Joshua Hughes slowly recounted the past, opening a box beside him with one hand, taking a small piece of cookie, and placing it near Avery Jane’s mouth, its familiar aroma enticing her, and she gave in to the temptation.
Looking at Joshua, he chuckled and continued, "The Hughes family also has a rule. The wife I marry must be chosen from twenty candidates selected by the family members, with a selection process carried out each year until I find a woman I fancy, only then will this event conclude. So every year, I have a different woman." Joshua realized that some things should not be kept hidden from her any longer and that it would be better for him to tell her than for her to hear it from others.
"You still haven’t found one after all these years?" Avery found such a tradition absurd. How could a family have such practices? Did they think they were living in ancient times?
"Eventually, I did find someone," Joshua lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
"Didn’t I meet you later on? You’re such a little spirit, holding my heart so tightly that it’s still with you, so how could I care about other women?" Joshua caught her little hand, placing it beneath his slightly open robe, letting her touch his burning skin, pressing her hand to his heart, "Avery, feel it well. Does it call your name...?"
This man’s sweet words were intoxicating, making one unable to extricate themselves, but how many women had he told such things?
Joshua seemed to read her mind, "I’ve only ever said such words to you, only ever had such thoughts for you, Avery, trust me..."
His gaze was sincere and passionate, making her heart uncontrollably race.
Just then, an untimely "grumble" was heard, and Avery shyly lowered her head, as if her stomach was indeed too hungry to bear, the small cookie earlier not even enough to fill the gap between her teeth.
Blushing adorably, Joshua knew the most important thing now was to fill this little girl’s stomach.
In no time, a few people brought up an exquisitely designed grill along with a long table filled with various foods, and then they orderly retreated. The coals inside the grill were burning fiercely. Standing by the fire, Joshua took various fresh seafood from the long table and placed them on the rack. The aroma slowly wafted, and the firelight outlined his sharp features, deeply set eyes possessing the most alluring contour. Even just draped in a robe, he exuded an unmistakable mature elegance.
On the rack, steaks were neatly laid alongside fish fillets and split-open lobsters. Originally filled with melancholy and sadness, Avery’s attention was immediately captured by the enticing aroma, quickly transforming her into a foodie. Watching Joshua adeptly flipping the steaks with bright eyes, she curiously asked, "You know how to do this?" She had thought men like him, noble and refined, wouldn’t know such things.
"I worked in a Western restaurant," Joshua laughed as he glanced at Avery. What did she think he was, one of those guys who just sits in an office, scolding people while looking at numbers?
"I bet lots of female customers harassed you," she said, mesmerized by his focused expression, those long, thick eyelashes lowering as he concentrated on the steaks. If such a chef worked in a restaurant, it would likely be packed.
"I only welcome your harassment," Joshua replied, flipping the steaks. He specially chose them for her because she doesn’t like anything too rare, and even when cooked well-done, these steaks remain tender.
"I’m not that interested in you, a man who flirts with everyone," Avery muttered quietly. His past was truly terrifying; he really had been with multiple women.
"And what about Secretary Diaz? Did you do something with her in the office?" Avery was determined to get to the bottom of things, figuring that if she was going to feel upset, she might as well get it all over with at once.
"Who told you that?" Joshua’s heart skipped a beat. How did she know about what happened with Victoria Diaz? He smiled awkwardly, "She was very forward." Indeed, Victoria was incredibly forward and bold, daring to play with him in the office with her uniform seduction. With her so willingly offering herself, he felt it would be a waste not to take advantage of her careful preparations.
"You’re worse than a rabbit; even rabbits don’t eat the grass around their burrow," Avery said, full of disdain. This man’s past was utterly wanton. If she had known, would she have dared marry him? Yet there they were, beaming on their marriage certificate.
The steaks were done. Joshua placed them on a plate with two golden, grilled buns and handed them to Avery. "A rabbit wouldn’t serve you," he jested.
"Joshua Hughes, I feel like I don’t even know you. We should start over, from the very basics of understanding each other." Avery sat at the table, cutting the steak and sending it to her mouth while watching the color of the lobsters on the fire turn a vibrant red. Joshua’s long fingers worked like an artist’s, spreading cheese over them, enhancing the rich aroma steadily...
"What’s your suggestion?" she hinted, her words carrying an underlying meaning. Joshua looked up at her engrossed in eating. Since her memory loss, her appetite seemed to have improved. He couldn’t help wondering if perhaps the current version of her was the real her.
"My suggestion is that we shouldn’t share a bed. Spiritual love is actually more precious. I admire men who never take things in that direction, unlike you. You should learn to restrain yourself," Avery said, startled by his past achievements. Even though a man like him naturally couldn’t be expected to remain chaste before marriage, it was still shocking just how promiscuous he had been.
"Those men, come on, don’t be naive. They’re only saying it’s spiritual love so they can eventually lure a woman to bed and end the so-called spiritual relationship. Their consent came with an ulterior motive right from the start, you get it?" There are women so naive as to believe in spiritual love.
"So what do you like about me?" Suddenly, Avery found the steak less delicious and tender.
"Everything about you," Joshua didn’t shy away from such matters, seeing no reason to hide.
He answered her questions while attentively grilling the lobsters.
Whether or not what he said was true, his seemingly righteous demeanor made her bow her head again and continue eating the steak.
The plate with the lobsters exuded a fragrant aroma, tempting in appearance and accompanied by golden fish fillets, a large plate placed before her. Joshua started to skillfully separate the lobster meat for her. "Avery, don’t dwell on the past. Everyone has a history filled with various events. Let’s focus on the future, okay?" he said, placing a small plate of lobster meat in front of Avery. She paused her knife and fork, earnestly replying, "What experiences determine what character. How do I know you won’t meet another captivating person in the future, making me nothing but a bubble on the sea surface, disappearing before dawn?"
There’s so much uncertainty in this world. Besides, Joshua is an exceedingly outstanding man, so much so that she almost lacked the confidence to claim him as her own.
"Fool," Joshua didn’t answer her question. No matter how he answered, it seemed wrong. Even if he gave her the most earnest promises now, she might not believe them, probably thinking he was just being slick. Eventually, she’d believe in him.
"I need to step out for a bit later, I should tell Emma, or else she’d be worried sick," Avery mumbled, taking small bites of food.
"Tell her what? That you’re staying with a man, hmm?" Joshua poured her a glass of red wine. "Have a sip." He liked her slightly flushed cheeks when she drank a little wine.
