Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Sharing a Room
Rhys Hawthorne was anxious to the point of burning up, but he did manage to find out the owner of the number, a crew member on the cruise ship.
When he confirmed the itinerary of the ship and waited for the next stop in advance, he discovered that Julian Fordham had already taken Victoria Monroe away on a helicopter.
He was still a step too slow!
The sea breeze lifted Rhys Hawthorne’s coat as he gazed at the endless sea, wondering how Victoria Monroe was doing.
Since that day, she had lost contact, her number constantly monitored, and any time she turned on her phone or had an internet connection, her IP could be instantly captured.
Victoria Monroe hadn’t turned on her phone, and Julian Fordham was missing too.
Julian Fordham had achieved financial freedom long ago, and if he wanted to hide from the world, it would be very difficult for Rhys Hawthorne to find his whereabouts.
Victoria Monroe was taken to the private island Julian Fordham had purchased years ago.
The island was beautiful, and these years he had been having people transform it according to Victoria Monroe’s preferences.
The island was planted with large patches of roses and cherry blossoms, and this season was when the cherry blossoms bloomed.
Even the perpetually unhappy Victoria Monroe was somewhat surprised upon seeing the scene in front of her—a forest of cherry blossoms blooming like a fiery cloud, splendid as the twilight glow.
The sea breeze carried cherry blossom petals over a few miles.
Victoria Monroe got off the plane and walked into the cherry blossom forest.
Her grandmother sat in a wheelchair, looking in good spirits, while October was wildly jumping around in the woods not far away.
"Girl, you’ve finally come!" Grandmother even tried to get up from the wheelchair, and the caregiver hurriedly assisted her.
Though she could shakily move on her own, there was constant monitoring to prevent her from falling again.
Victoria Monroe walked toward her grandmother and embraced her tightly, "Grandma, are you okay?"
"I’m good, very good. Little Rhys didn’t lie to us, there are flowers everywhere on the island, they’re extremely beautiful, but I haven’t found the fireflies. Can you ask little Rhys to come, I’ll ask him."
Grandmother was fixated on the fireflies, she looked behind Victoria Monroe, and her smile froze.
"You’re not little Rhys, who are you?"
Julian Fordham felt a bit hurt; despite having spent more time with Grandmother, she remembered Rhys Hawthorne but not him.
He patiently said, "Grandmother, I’m Julian Fordham. We grew up together with Victoria in the same courtyard when we were kids. Do you have no impression of me?"
"No, no. What Julian Fordham? I don’t know you."
Grandmother looked at him with a face full of vigilance, then took Victoria Monroe’s hand and left.
Before she fell, she knew about those things Julian Fordham did that hurt Victoria Monroe. Subconsciously, she automatically blocked Julian Fordham and even instinctively harbored hostility towards him, thinking this man would hurt Victoria Monroe.
Julian Fordham heard the elder advising Victoria Monroe, "In the future, keep away from him. He doesn’t seem like a good person. Where’s little Rhys? Didn’t he say he’d take us to see the fireflies?"
Victoria Monroe didn’t know how to explain Rhys Hawthorne’s upcoming engagement and alliance.
The elderly lady was stubborn and insisted on matchmaking her with Rhys Hawthorne.
After all, her grandmother’s condition was still unstable, and she dared not provoke her.
"He has some temporary matters, he’ll come over when he’s done."
"Girl, mark my words, little Rhys is a good man. You must treasure him, or else he could be snatched away by some wild fox outside one day."
Victoria Monroe sighed, "Grandma, I’m so hungry. Can we have something to eat first?"
She glanced back at Julian Fordham, who stood under the shade with his head bowed, his expression on his face hidden, but she could distinctly feel the coldness emanating from him.
Victoria Monroe felt a bit uneasy, although he wouldn’t hurt her grandmother, she was afraid of what Julian Fordham might do in an emotionally unstable state.
The slow poison Lana Jameson had given him caused his psychological instability, and even with daily medication, it couldn’t be cured in just a few days.
Victoria Monroe could only ask her grandmother to restrain herself a bit, not to provoke Julian Fordham.
Having stayed on the island for a while, Victoria Monroe was two and a half months pregnant.
In about two weeks, when she’s three months pregnant, her belly will start to show slightly, and most of the clothes Julian Fordham prepared for her are cheongsams, which will make it very noticeable.
Victoria Monroe was increasingly uneasy.
Although he hadn’t touched her or acted aggressively for a while, Victoria Monroe knew he was like a beast, lurking, waiting for the right opportunity.
He tried to use old affections and kindness to dismantle all her defenses, destroy her psychological defenses.
He had always been skilled at this.
Years ago, she believed his words, which led to her withdrawing, distancing herself from friends, making him her entire world.
Julian Fordham brought her and her grandmother to the island, under the guise of accompanying her for a relaxing tour, and providing convalescence for her grandmother.
Actually, he wanted to PUA her again, letting her gradually fade out her hatred, getting lost in his tenderness.
He is an extremely skilled hunter in disguise, with patience, and she is his prey.
Time is the best healing medicine, half a year, a year, two years.
He imprisoned her on this island, cut off contact with the outside world, and pondered whether her hate would wear away and she’d love him again?
Especially when he knew she was carrying a child, that child would become, like her grandmother, the chain binding her.
In this life, she would never escape his grasp again.
No, this is not the life she wants.
The memory of her deceased daughter is still fresh; how could she spend her life with the person who caused her daughter’s death?
Victoria Monroe touched her belly, where a young life was growing.
How could she find a way to escape?
Even if she managed to escape, her grandmother’s limited mobility, being at Julian Fordham’s mercy, meant she couldn’t get away!
Victoria Monroe closed her eyes, a person came to her mind.
Rhys Hawthorne.
She sat at the bedside, clutching that cell phone.
Since last time that girl finished her call and turned off the phone, these days she hasn’t stopped thinking of appealing to Rhys Hawthorne for help.
But Victoria Monroe was afraid of disturbing Rhys Hawthorne’s current life.
Honestly, they were not family; why would Rhys Hawthorne take the time and effort to help her?
Besides, he already had a girlfriend; would he mind if she made contact repeatedly? What if it caused a conflict between them?
Victoria Monroe was conflicted and torn inside.
In this world, who else could save her besides him?
Rhys Hawthorne, Rhys Hawthorne...
She called this name a thousand times.
Finally, when she mustered the courage to turn on the phone to contact him one last time, footsteps came from outside the door.
Victoria Monroe’s heart tightened, she hurriedly hid the phone under the mattress.
Julian Fordham opened the door and entered, looking at the woman sitting on the bed.
She had just taken a bath, her hair loosely tied up at the back of her head, exposing the snow-white skin behind her ears and a small segment of her neck.
Her skin was slightly flushed from the heat.
Julian Fordham sat beside her, "Victoria, you’re already fifty days in; I’ve consulted the doctor, and now we can be together."
As he spoke, he took Victoria Monroe’s hand, his gaze fixed tenderly on her reddened ear tips. His rough finger pads gently caressed the delicate skin on the back of her hand, his voice slightly hoarse, "Darling, I want you."
"Julian Fordham, don’t force me to slap you!"
"Victoria, we’ve been so compatible before, no one knows your body better than I do."
Victoria Monroe tried to push him away, but the man took advantage, pushing her onto the bed, his hand gripping her wrist, his eyes full of desire for her.
Julian Fordham’s Adam’s apple moved, he kneeled between her legs, slowly leaning in towards her, "If you’ve forgotten, I’ll make sure to thoroughly remind you tonight until you remember."
Victoria Monroe faced the man’s eyes filled with lust, she shook her head in fright, "Julian Fordham, no, don’t..."