Faux Vows, True Desires novel Chapter 485

Liam wrung out the damp towel and wiped his face, trying to shake off the lingering haze of alcohol. After a quick wash of his hands, he carried the basin of used water into the bathroom to dispose of it. Tiffany, seeing him able to take care of himself, was convinced he had been faking his drunken stupor. Her worries eased.

Honestly, spending her wedding night with a husband drunk to the point of incoherence was not the blissful start she’d imagined. No one would be thrilled about that.

“Babe,” Liam’s voice echoed from the bathroom.

“What is it?”

“I need a shower. Can you grab me some clothes?”

He was filling the tub, eager to rinse off the stench of booze that clung to his skin. He didn't want to subject his new bride to that reek all night.

“Sure thing,” Tiffany replied and went to fetch his clothes. The bathroom door was ajar, so she didn’t think twice before entering with the clothes in hand. To her surprise, Liam was already lounging in the tub.

Instinctively, she spun on her heel to leave, then remembered they were now man and wife, and they had just celebrated their wedding. Admiring her handsome husband in his bath was hardly a scandalous act.

She turned back, placed the clothes beside the tub, and advised the submerged figure, “Honey, don’t soak too long; wouldn’t want you dozing off in there.” Alcohol and warm water were a lulling combination.

Suddenly, Liam reached out, grabbed her hand, and gazed at her intently, “Tiffany, we’re married now. Call me ‘husband’ for once. And, how about joining me?”

Tiffany pulled her hand away, “I’d rather not have to fish you out of a cold bath later.”

“Come on, let’s clean up and hit the hay. It’s late.”

Suppressing a yawn, she admitted to herself that she hadn't slept well the night before. Whether it was excitement or nerves, she couldn’t tell, but the exhaustion was real. Thankfully, the pregnancy had made everyone around her particularly considerate, yet she was still worn out and sleepy.

All she yearned for now was to drift off into the arms of Morpheus.

Fortunately, her morning sickness had given her a break today, and it seemed like the little one inside knew it was a day of celebration, sparing her any discomfort.

Liam, too, was mindful of his wife's early pregnancy, but he still insisted, gripping her hand once more, “Babe, please, just once, call me ‘husband’.”

With a laugh that mingled fondness and resignation, Tiffany indulged him, “Husband, husband, husband…” She repeated the word several times, adding, “Happy now?”

“From now on, it’s ‘husband,’ no more ‘bunny.’”

“I’m used to it.”

Tiffany preferred her pet name for him; he was her bunny!

“But you’ll have to change that. What if our son starts calling me ‘bunny’ too?”

“What about considering we might have a daughter?” she retorted.

She was carrying twins and secretly hoped for one of each. The Andersons always had a soft spot for daughters, but two sons would be just as precious. Regardless of gender, they would be the cherished fruits of their love.

Liam chuckled, “I’ve got a hunch it’ll be two boys.”

He let go of her hand. “Babe, you should get some rest. You’ve had a long day.”

Tiffany left him with a few words of caution and exited the bathroom. As she lay on the bed, adorned with crimson sheets featuring the symbol of double happiness, Tiffany gazed at the ceiling, hands resting on her belly.

Nathan knew that a little alcohol was all it took for Janice to fall into a deep sleep. He would never again take liberties with her without consent as he had in the past, but he longed to be near her, to gaze upon her, and so he had arranged for her to be plied with drinks.

In the dark, he could barely see her.

Boldly, Nathan switched on the light before returning to her side. He leaned in close and pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Janice, I’ve missed you so much.”

Unaware of the intruder, Janice slumbered on, unaware that the man she despised had invaded her privacy.

If she had been awake, she would have surely rebuked him. Her lips were not his to take, not without her permission.

Jack and Emma had both said it in front of her, that he and Madeleine, it seemed, weren't quite as he'd imagined. He hadn't laid a finger on Madeleine.

Janice couldn't care less whether he had touched Madeleine or not. The bottom line was that she had no intention of getting entangled with him any longer.

Divorce was clearly the best path forward for both of them. A peaceful parting was preferable; there was no need to turn into bitter enemies.

Considering the kids, who knows, they might still manage to be friends when they bumped into each other down the line.

If he was going to be stubborn and refuse to agree to a divorce, dragging the whole mess into court, even if it ended with them still married, her resentment towards him would only deepen.

Nathan held Janice's hand as he watched her sleeping face, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.