Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
In his deep sleep, Winston furrowed his brows tightly, and his fingers twitched reflexively. Perhaps he was dreaming, or perhaps it was a telepathic connection with his daughter, Alyssa. “Was Mom… a member of the royal family?” Liam held his breath.
Alyssa shook her head. “I don’t know. Even if she were and got chased out for some reason, there wouldn’t be absolutely no record of her.
“So, I’m guessing that she might have been someone from the palace or someone connected to the royal family. However, I’m not sure about the specifics. After all, we aren’t familiar with the situation in Kontina at all.
“There’s one thing I’m sure of, though.” Her eyes gleamed with a cold intensity as she clasped her hands together. “There was probably some kind of grudge between Mom and the Kontinian royal family that forced her into exile.
“By some miraculous chance, she ended up in Belbanks, and of all people, Dominic saved her.”
The word “grudge” hit Liam like a sharp, invisible knife. “Dad has always showered us with love, and he let us make our own choices in life. Even though we’re from a wealthy family, he never pressured us into marriage alliances. He wanted us to find happiness on our own terms.”
Tears welled up in Liam’s eyes as he knelt beside Winston’s bed, holding his father’s wrinkled hands. “Yet, he’s so against Yules and me. Maybe your theory is worth exploring, Lyse. Maybe there’s something dark in Mom’s past with the Kontinan royals. That could explain Dad’s strong reaction.”
Upon hearing that, Alyssa plunged into deep thought.
Indeed, Winston had been exceptionally lenient with his and Jennifer’s five children, indulging them to a fault. In contrast, he was stricter with Mandy’s and Lyla’s children.
He fiercely opposed Miley’s marriage to someone from Kontina, tried to arrange a marriage alliance for Tatiana with the Schmidt family, and constantly nagged Cyrus about settling down.
However, he treated his five children with Jennifer differently. For Alyssa, he only put up a strict front. Whether it was her stint with Doctors Without Borders or other rebellious moments, he always ended up giving in.
Jennifer was indeed the one Winston loved the most, and he extended that love to their children. However, if he was so in love with her, why did he have to marry time and time again?
If Jennifer reciprocated Winston’s love and their life was blissful, why did she allow him to marry again and again? Why didn’t she stop him and even become close to his other wives?
Alyssa was also a woman, yet she couldn’t understand Jennifer’s perspective.
All humans have always had emotions. How could Jennifer not be jealous? She wouldn’t have been able to live through those days of polygamy unless there was no ove between her and Winston. So, how did she end up having children with a man like him?
“If there really was bad blood between Mom and the Kontinian royal family, I… I will have a clean break with Yules. I won’t have any contact with her anymore.”
Liam’s breathing hitched as he fought back a surge of emotions. In a raspy and trembling voice, he continued, “Before it’s all too late.”
“Liam, at this point, everything is merely my speculation. It wouldn’t be fair to sacrifice your happiness based on what-ifs.” Alyssa’s heart ached for him.
“I’ve lost Mom very early on. I cannot lose Dad too. I won’t risk his health.”
Liam hung his head low. Waves of regret and sorrow washed over him. “I’m not a high-achiever, Lyse. I’m not courageous enough to give everything up for the sake of love. All I want is for Dad and everyone else to be happy. This will be the reason for me to live.”
Liam and Alyssa fell into silence. After spending more time with Winston, Liam left the room dejectedly.
“Dad, what in the world happened to Mom? When… When will you be able to open up to me about it? I really want to know,” Alyssa sighed as she sat beside him, troubled.
She glanced at Winston’s face. A flicker of surprise crossed her features as she noticed tears tracing silent paths down his cheeks, dampening his pillow.
Winston cried in his sleep.
It was late into the night. Liam retrieved his military uniform from his luggage and laid it beside his bed. Then, he used a flannel to polish his insignia.
Although he found time to attend Landon and Lauren’s wedding, he had to return to the military immediately. So, he brought his military uniform, which was his utmost pride, along with him. He still didn’t feel sleepy after all that he busied himself with. He tossed and turned in bed for a long time before he started to feel drowsy.
Amidst his drowsiness, he felt a sudden rise in his body temperature. A faint, sweet-smelling breeze blew across his face, and he jolted awake and stared in surprise at the sight before him.
Under the dim lighting, Yuliana’s pale skin was barely concealed by a delicate nightgown as she straddled him. As she leaned forward, he couldn’t help but notice her ample and enticing breasts, a sight that seemed almost too irresistible.
“Liam… Hold me. I miss you.”
Yuliana’s eyes shimmered with affection as she gazed at him dreamily. Passion burned brightly in her gaze.
The moment Liam saw her, a jolt of desire shot through him. His lashes fluttered as he tried to restrain himself. The dim light hid the blush creeping up his neck and ears. He was a gentleman but also a man with desires.
Another second of looking at her would be disastrous. Breathing heavily, Liam grabbed his military uniform from beside the bed. He draped it over Yuliana’s shoulders and wrapped it tightly around her youthful body, refusing to let go no matter how hard she struggled.
Her intense squirming wrinkled his neatly ironed military uniform.
Liam’s military uniform was like a piece of treasure to him. At normal times, he would iron it personally. Even his personal secretary was cautious when handling his uniform. Yet, in that moment, wrinkled fabric didn’t bother him at all.
“Liam, you’re not accepting me even though I’ve come right on to you… Is it because you don’t have feelings for me? Or do you have problems in that aspect?” Yuliana pouted. Her cheeks flushed red with anger.
“Cut it out.” With a deep and dark gaze, Liam pressed his hands on her shoulders.
Yuliana harrumphed. “I just need to test it to see if you have any issues!”
Yuliana was a stubborn person who persevered to achieve what she set her sights on. With all her might, she tried to free herself from his restraint.
“In the past,” she explained, her voice laced with frustration, “princesses would have a servant assess their prince consort’s capabilities in that aspect. I’m not going to trouble anyone with that. I’ll test it out myself!”
“Your Highness, I said, cut it out!” Liam’s tone of voice was even more icy. The frigidity in his eyes made Yuliana’s heart wrench. “I need to rest. Please leave this instant.” Yuliana froze in shock. “What… did you just call me?”
“Your Highness.”
“Say it again. I dare you to repeat it!”
“Your Highness.” Liam’s eyes appeared completely void of emotions. “You will get the same response even if you asked me a thousand times.”
“Why aren’t you calling me ‘Yules’ anymore? You’ve never addressed me as ‘Your Highness’ in private!”
Yuliana became frantic. Her coquettish, willful and reckless behavior vanished completely.
All she had left was the pitiful look in her eyes. She stared at him anxiously. Her voice was as gentle as it could be. “Liam… are you angry? Did I make you mad? Tell me… Talk tome…”
“You should return to Kontina tomorrow.”
Liam’s gaze was cold and distant. “From now on, I will go on with my life as a soldier, and you will go on with your life as a princess. Let’s not have anything to do with one another anymore.”
The Taylors, when deeply in love, loved with all their heart. But when they wanted to appear heartless, they could act the part flawlessly.
When Liam frostily uttered those words, it felt like a piece of flesh was being cut away from him. Not only that, it also felt like his wounded heart was being wrenched unsparingly.
“Liam…” Yuliana, wrapped in his military uniform, shivered uncontrollably. Her shocked stares could burn holes into him. “Are you leaving me?”
She seemed like a talented supporting actress, perfectly embodying her role in his charade. Tears streamed down her face when she asked that question, dripping onto the bedsheets. Liam’s chest tightened. He couldn’t bear to look at her anymore.
If only her feelings weren’t genuine. If only she were there merely to seduce him.
But no. Here she was, pouring out her heart, raw and genuine. Every tear, every word, spoke the truth.
“Have you forgotten? Have you forgotten everything we did in the palace? You risked your life by climbing over a wall to see me in my chambers. Have you forgotten how you held me in your “
“Your Highness, it’s true that I’ve kissed you and held you in my arms. But that doesn’t prove anything.”
Liam scoffed. His face twisted into a mocking sneer. “It just proves I was physically attracted. Nothing more.”
It was merely a physical attraction.
Yuliana was only 20 years old. Ever since she was young, she grew up surrounded by her parents’ love. Although she was na?ve and simple-minded, she understood what he meant.
He was referring to the most primitive urge men had toward women. Nevertheless, it was the cheapest and most transient form of fancying someone.
“Those long nights were less lonely because you were there as a company. I did like you for this one thing.”
“No matter what… it still means that you liked me!”
Yuliana welled up with tears. She twisted her body, struggling to hug him. All she wanted was him.
However, her shoulders were firmly in his grasp. She couldn’t touch him el.
at all. She got so distressed that her tears couldn’t stop flowing. “Liam love you… Can you give us a chance? We haven’t even got together officially. How are you so sure that you like me only in that way?
“I don’t care even if you like me because of my body! I want to be with you! No matter what, I just want to be with you.”
She cried as she pleaded with him for his love.
She no longer cared about her noble status or her image as royalty.
“Your Highness, you mentioned that I was your first.” Liam curled his lip slightly and narrowed his eyes. “The reason why you chose me wasn’t because of the person I am. It’s because you met too few men.
