Chapter 128: Eugene Vaughn Entangles Victoria Sinclair

Eugene Vaughn didn’t let go, his voice low and soft, sounding weak: "I’m sick, my hair is still wet, let me go up and dry it with a hairdryer before leaving."Victoria Sinclair’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at his semi-dry short hair, unsure if it was really necessary to dry it.

What if he was really sick?

She was worried and lifted her other hand to touch his forehead.

Eugene’s body stiffened, his gaze intense, deeply looking at her, a trace of indescribable tenderness in his eyes.

His body temperature seemed normal, not very high. Victoria, slightly puzzled, asserted, "You’re not running a fever."

"I took some fever-reducing medicine before coming." Eugene sighed, his aura instantly deflating.

Victoria couldn’t tell if he was lying.

Feeling a pang of guilt and inexplicable worry, she relented, "Then come up."

Eugene’s eyebrows arched, releasing her arm with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Victoria brought him up to her apartment building, opening the door to let him in.

The living room wasn’t large, cozy and clean but not very tidy, with books scattered everywhere.

Eugene entered, took off his coat, and hung it on the coat rack.

"There’s no heater here, you’re sick, don’t take off your coat or you’ll catch a chill." Victoria put down her bag, changed into slippers, and took out a new pair of men’s slippers from the cabinet, placing them in front of him.

"I’m not cold." Eugene wore the slippers and walked in, frowning at the living room, "Don’t you clean up?"

Victoria followed him in, looking around. It was just some extra reference books causing the clutter, she sighed, "I do clean, it’s not dirty!"

Eugene said nothing, rolling up his sleeves.

Victoria went into the room to get a hairdryer, and when she came out, she saw him tidying up her books, wiping her furniture with disinfectant wipes.

"Go dry your hair, you don’t need to help me tidy up." Victoria walked over, pulling his arm and stuffing the hairdryer into his hand.

Eugene took the hairdryer and went to the side to dry his hair.

Victoria went back to her room to wash up, changed into clean loungewear, and a loose jacket. When she came out, the living room was neat and tidy, the kind of compulsive orderliness that Eugene preferred was especially evident.

Even the corners of the books were aligned perfectly.

The once-familiar home felt just like before, and Victoria stood stunned on the spot.

At this moment, Eugene, wearing her apron, came out of the kitchen holding a plate of noodles, moving as if in his own home, "Couldn’t find any rice, so I made two portions of tomato and egg noodles, come and eat."

Victoria hurried over, blocking his way: "Weren’t you going to leave after drying your hair? Why are you cooking dinner in my home?"

Eugene turned his head to look out the window, it was already dark, the rain drizzling outside, "I’ll leave after dinner."

Saying this, he took Victoria’s hand and gently pushed her onto a chair. ic, hoarse voice murmuring in her ear, "Don’t worry, my cold isn’t contagious."

"Eugene, let go." Victoria’s cheeks flushed, her heart in chaos.

Eugene pulled her forcefully, dragging her onto the large bed, using his other hand to pull the blanket over her body.

The two were separated by a layer of blanket, Eugene’s embrace was warm, his scorching breath spreading over her head, the air becoming humid and an ambiguous current swirling.

"Victoria, what are you really afraid of?" Eugene whispered hoarsely.

Victoria couldn’t escape his strong embrace, looking up in frustration, meeting his close gaze, "You know perfectly well what I’m worried about."

"I said I wouldn’t force you." Eugene pressed his body against hers, softly murmuring, "If you don’t like it, just push me away."

And she, loyal to her body, surely didn’t want to push away.

——

The next morning, the rain outside had ceased, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, carrying a hint of freshness in the air.

Victoria slowly opened her eyes, sensing the warmth emanating from beside her.

Eugene’s arm was still wrapped around her waist, his breathing steady and deep, seemingly still asleep.

She moved slightly, attempting to slip out of his embrace, but Eugene’s arm tightened around her.

Victoria turned her head slightly, looking at his sleeping face.

His features relaxed, lips with a faint smile, as if in a beautiful dream.

Her heartbeat quickened, her cheeks slightly heating up.

She knew she shouldn’t let this continue, yet why did her prideful rationale always fail under his masculine allure?

She sighed softly, a mix of feelings in her heart.

"Awake?" Eugene’s voice suddenly broke the silence, a touch of laziness and hoarseness.

Victoria was taken aback, then quickly lowered her head, avoiding his eyes, "Mmm."

Eugene slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on her face, with a hint of gentleness and affection.

He reached out, gently caressing her cheek, the warmth of his fingertips causing her to shiver slightly.

"Last night, you enjoyed it." He spoke softly, with a hint of probing.

Victoria’s heart tightened, quickly interrupting him, "I didn’t like it, nor was I willing."

Eugene raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a meaningful smile, "Is that so? Then why don’t you dare to look at me?"

Victoria bit her lip, a wave of panic in her heart, unwilling to face the truth.

She pushed his hand away, trying to sit up from the bed, "I...I’ll go make breakfast."

However, Eugene didn’t release her, instead pulling her back into his embrace, leaning down to whisper by her ear, "No rush, just lie down for a while."

His breath on her ear, the warmth making her body tingle.

Victoria’s heartbeat sped up, her body involuntarily stiffening. She wanted to push him away, yet craved this warmth, trapped in a contradiction.

"Eugene..." she called softly, her voice tinged with helplessness and pleading.

Eugene sighed lightly, releasing her, sitting up, "Alright, I won’t tease you anymore."

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly climbing out of bed and rushing into the bathroom.

She turned on the tap, splashing cold water on her face, trying to calm herself down.

The mirror reflected her flushed cheeks, her eyes filled with confusion and unease.

She took a deep breath, trying hard to calm herself.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, Eugene was already dressed, standing by the window gazing at the scenery outside.

Upon hearing her footsteps, he turned around, his gaze tenderly resting on her.

"Let me make breakfast." He said softly.

Victoria was slightly stunned, then shook her head, "No need, I’ll do it."

Eugene chuckled, walking up to her, reaching out to ruffle her hair, "You didn’t sleep well last night. Go rest a bit."

Victoria’s heart fluttered slightly, looking up at him.

His eyes were gentle and unwavering.

She pursed her lips, finally nodding, "Okay."

Eugene turned and walked into the kitchen, while Victoria sat on the sofa, watching his retreating figure, a complex emotion welling up inside.

She didn’t know how to break off this impure, complicated relationship with Eugene.

But she knew there was no future for them, nor should they continue entangled.

Continuing like this was good for no one.

She came to the dining table and sat down.

Before long, Eugene brought out fried eggs and steamed buns, placing them in front of her, "Just have something simple."

Victoria nodded, picked up a hot bun and gently took a bite, then looked up at Eugene, saying softly, "Thank you."

Eugene smiled, sitting across from her, picking up a cup of water for a sip, "No need to be so formal with me."

The two quietly ate breakfast, the atmosphere somewhat subtle.

Victoria wanted to speak several times but didn’t know where to start.

Finally, she put down the bun in her hand, "Eugene, we shouldn’t be doing this."

Eugene took a sip of warm water, his gaze resting on her, "Just enjoy your breakfast. Don’t overthink things."

"Can you stop looking for me in the future?" Victoria was quite helpless.

Eugene’s tone was steadfast, "No."

"Eugene..." Victoria called his name in irritation.

Eugene lowered his gaze, the atmosphere dropping, his tone becoming serious, "Victoria, even in death, I want to be buried in the same grave as you."