The Broken-hearted She And The Icy He

Chapter 434 A Fevered Confession

Chapter 434 A Fevered Confession

Lily’s mind exploded:

She had always believed he could only accept men.

It had never occurred to her that the only reason he’d once said that was because he had been certain she

was one.

She had never dared imagine that he hadn’t truly disliked her at all–that whether she was Leila or Lily, he had cared for her both ways.

Warmth and sweetness spread through her chest. She pressed her face against his heart, listening to the strong, steady beat beneath her ear

“James, if I’d known you didn’t hate me that much, I would’ve been braver. I would’ve gone to you.”

Her time with John had left wounds too deep. She’d become cautious, afraid to open her heart, afraid to throw herself completely into an uncertain possibility–and she had nearly missed him entirely.

Feeling the heat radiating from his chest, she coaxed softly, “Will you take the medicine first?”

But he was lost in what he thought was only a dream, her words sliding right past him.

“Lily, I know you really like Jackson,” he murmured, his voice hoarse and aching. “I know he treats you well, that you’re happy with him. But I could treat you even better…. better than Jackson ever could… Lily, I don’t want to divorce you… I don’t want to…”

Her eyes reddened.

The truth was, she hadn’t wanted the divorce either.

pushed her away so completely, she would have stayed

when he’d rushed to sign the divorce papers, she had believed he was disgusted to the point of not wanting to

“James, Jackson and I…”

had begun as nothing more

realized he was truly the boy she had once treated as a younger

felt anything

could finish explaining, she

then that dampness slid down

realize: they were

1/3

A Fevered

believe it. For someone as strong and unyielding as him to cry

she heard him whisper in agony, “Lily, why did you get rid of our child? Whey didn’t you

eyes were now laced with red, bloodshot from pain so

sweeping him into a

he’d worn shattered,

like a stranger—yet it

voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t… James, you

half–threat, half–bargain. “If you drink it, I’ll stay with

he seemed

held her tightly, as if terrified she’d disappear again, just like all the other

bottle, and held

push her away or

bottle

sleep. Sweat it out, and maybe when you wake up, the fever will