Chapter 4: I Don't Like This Position

Lucas' kiss lasted for half a minute. Sophia felt her blood flow sluggishly before rushing to her head, followed by every nerve in her body crying out in wild dance. She clung to Lucas, breathless. She was twenty-five, and this was her first kiss. How ridiculous. Benjamin never kissed her, not even during their most intimate moments. When was the last time she and Benjamin had sex? Probably over a year ago when he was drunk. At that time, he even refused to look at her face and asked her to lie down with her back to him. Apart from pain, she felt almost nothing. Her marriage was a joke. Even a gigolo offered her more than her husband. Lucas held Sophia's slender waist, his hot kisses trailing down her chin, neck, collarbone, and then... From the bathtub to the sofa, then to the floor-to-ceiling window. Sophia's delicate hand supported herself against the window as she gazed at the dazzling coastline outside, uncertain whether the tears in her eyes were of joy or pain. "Lucas..." Her voice was hoarse. "I can't breathe..." Lucas ceased his actions, and Sophia wrapped her arms around his neck, pleading, "Can we go back to the bedroom... please?" Lucas picked Sophia up and headed to the master bedroom. He threw Sophia onto the bed forcefully and pinned her waist down, making her face away from him. "I don't like this position." Sophia turned her head towards Lucas. Did all men like this demeaning position? Benjamin refused to look at her face, and Lucas was the same, but she despised facing away from men in a kneeling position. It made her feel stripped of her dignity, like an animal. ... As dawn approached, Sophia heard the soft sounds of Lucas preparing to leave. She stretched out her arm to embrace him, who was sitting on the edge of the bed getting dressed, attempting to stuff money into his underwear. Lucas blocked Sophia's hand and picked up his phone to type. [Transfer is fine.] Sophia nodded and transferred twenty thousand dollars to Lucas. He was paid by the Marine Paradise Club. The money she gave him was an extra tip. Lucas, after taking the money, typed on his phone, [Thanks.] Sophia stared at his half-visible face, fixating on his thin and luscious lips. Recalling the soft, comfortable sensation, she asked, "Can you kiss me once more?" Lucas hesitated for a while. Sophia could sense his unwillingness. It made sense. Just as he was about to finish work, suddenly being asked to "work overtime" for a very minor request, which could be easily fulfilled, was irksome. Sophia released Lucas' lean, muscular waist. Lucas thought he could leave. Just as he started to stand up, those fair hands suddenly cupped his face. Sophia lifted her head to kiss his lips and bit him hard. Before Lucas could react, Sophia had already let go of him and licked her lips, "You can leave now." The Roberts Villa. It was the Roberts family's monthly family gathering, a requirement by Carter. It wasn't for nurturing familial bonds but rather for effectively monitoring the children's movements. After a night of indulgence, Sophia was understandably late the next day. In the dining room, the crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling in a luxurious fashion, each angle refracting bright, shimmering light. The dining table was painted in lavish gold, exuding aristocratic elegance. Besides her, everyone was seated. Benjamin wore a khaki trench coat and a white shirt. The simple combination highlighted his noble, abstinent charisma. The seat beside him was empty. Sophia hurried to her seat, casting a glance towards Carter at the head of the table, his expression displeased. Carter was fifty-one but looked merely forty without any trace of aging, exuding a unique charm. Unfortunately, his cold aura caused Sophia to respect and fear him. Sophia remembered being caught stealing money at fifteen. That day, she knelt in the living room while Carter whipped her for half an hour with a riding crop. She was beaten so badly that she was covered in blood and had to stay in the hospital for a month to recover. If Carter found out about last night's affair, she wondered if she would leave the Roberts Villa alive. Sophia timidly greeted, "Good morning, Dad." Charlotte Roberts, sitting opposite Sophia, sneered, "It's almost eleven, not exactly morning." Clang. Carter threw down his cutlery. He glowered at Sophia, "Benjamin said you didn't come home last night. Where were you?"