Chapter 223 Like a Princess
Since she was a child, Juliet had used this exact face to gain the adoring attention of her parents and uncles so that she was the apple of their eye. She believed that Bradley would not be able to resist the face since he was still a man.
In addition, Bradley had no experience with women. He did not understand how sly they could be, so she believed his heart would ache when she pulled this face.
Bradley's black eyes darkened. He could not touch any woman other than Freya.
In the past, Juliet had no such thoughts about him, so he was not as repulsed.
However, his discomfort could no longer be hidden as she got closer to him.
"Juliet, you want a hug? I'll hug you." Xavier was used to being the shield for his friend.
Juliet did not appreciate his offer and bit her lip as tears kept rolling down her cheeks. "I forgot. You already have a wife, Brady. I am just extra baggage now. I should be aware of the boundaries and not get too close to Brady.
"I cannot be a burden or give you trouble. I will leave and go far away."
Bradley saw her dazedly turning away and quickly stepped forward to grab her wrist. "Juliet, no one sees you as a burden, and no one can drive you away. This villa will be your home from now on. Be at ease here."
He wore leather gloves and was not worried about any discomfort he might feel from touching her.
"Still, Freya will be upset if I stay. I don't want to ruin your relationship," Juliet said in a mature manner that drew sympathy while she continued to cry.
"I'm not that petty."
A female voice coldly called out from the door.
Freya stood there, calmly looking at Juliet.
She had just gone down to wash a bowl, and Juliet was already running around and trying to garner sympathy. What a troublemaker.
"Since Bradley owes you his life, I will also treat you as my own sister. In the future if you have anything you need, you can also tell me. After all, in this house, I can also make the decisions."
Freya's casual statement caused Juliet's face to turn pale.
Meanwhile, Bradley was just smiling.
Does this mean Freya admits that she's my wife?
"Freya, I feel bad bothering you."
"Since you are like my sister-in-law, you're not a bother. Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you that I am also a doctor. I will take care of you in the future. I have treated many patients with depression before."
Freya walked over, pulled Juliet's hand out of Bradley's palm, then linked arms with Juliet before pulling Juliet toward the door. "Since you have decided to keep this child, listen to me and rest well. It will be beneficial for the child's growth."
Just like that, Juliet was forced back to her room while staring at Freya with her jaw clenched in hatred.
However, she could not be too obvious with her hatred, so she obediently went to bed.
Freya gave her another shot to prevent miscarriage before taking a deep breath and returning to the study.
She had to have a good chat with Bradley. Just because she treated Juliet with kindness, that did not mean she did not mind Juliet's presence.
In the study.
Xavier was stunned for a while, then he suddenly smiled. "Bradley, is your wife jealous?"
"What do you think?"
Bradley returned to sit on the couch, elegantly crossing his legs with a smile on his lips.
"I didn't expect Freya to get jealous. She's so cute," Xavier said, teasing.
"Since you've seen it, you know my wife is upset. Hurry up and settle things with Juliet," Bradley said.
"Don't look at me. I don't need a woman. Let Patrick handle her. He's the best at dealing with women."
"He's not available as he has someone already."
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and Freya walked in.
Xavier tactfully said, "I'll go check on Juliet. You guys talk."
After he left and closed the door behind him, Freya sat next to Bradley, looking at him with cold eyes.
"What I said just now wasn't just empty talk. If you want to repay the favor, I can help you, but you're not allowed to have any physical intimacy with her, not even if it's just holding hands."
Yes, she was jealous.
Especially when Juliet heard the phrase "hug me like when we were kids" as that turned her mood into something quite ugly.
Bradley leaned in and removed his leather gloves while his lips tilted upward in a smile. "I didn't touch her. I can't touch her. I can only touch you."
With those words, he forcefully wrapped his arms around her slender waist before resting his chin on her shoulder as he continued to speak in a low voice.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"Are you thanking me for helping to take care of your first love, or are you thanking me for hugging her for you? Perhaps…"
Bradley frowned. As he listened, all he wanted to do was to stop her nagging mouth and swallow all of her unspoken words.
A dominating kiss ensued that sent fierce waves of passion crashing through them.
Soon, Freya's lips were swollen, and she was breathing rapidly as she fell into his embrace.
"She is not my first love. I only see her as a younger sister," he said in a low voice as he gently kissed her.
Stars seemed to light up his eyes with an unfathomable glint that reflected her face while suffocating her with tenderness.
Freya lay in his arms that were like iron bars, imprisoning her by the waist as he completely supporting her weight.
She raised her head to meet his gaze and said, "Let me ask you then. Did you used to hug her often?"
"In the past. I don't even remember when."
"Bradley, don't try to deceive me. I'm not a child." She had been serious, yet he played dumb. It was infuriating.
"I'm willing to soothe and pamper you, to treat you like a princess. The past is in the past. I've long forgotten it. Now, my heart only has room for you. I am forever yours and unable to accommodate anyone else."
He was incredibly handsome with a pair of dark and mysterious eyes that shone like starlight as he spoke sweetly to her. He could captivate anyone with just one look.
Freya met his eyes with eyelashes trembling slightly as she said, "I don't want your sweet talk. I just want to hear your plans for dealing with Juliet."
Although she had just said that she would help Bradley take care of Juliet for life.
Still, she could not imagine tolerating a woman who would steal her man to be tied to him for life.
"Tell me, how should I treat her?" He looked unusually serious.
Freya pursed her lips as she did not know either.
Juliet lost her virginity for Bradley. Freya had just seen Juliet's injuries, which covered her whole body and were likely from the assault she endured.
It was easy to imagine the inhuman treatment she had suffered before being violated.
If she selfishly spoke out now and asked Bradley to chase Juliet away, how would she be any different from a venomous woman like Sophie?
Upon seeing her dilemma, Bradley pulled her onto his lap, held her face in his hands, and looked deep into her eyes.
"Trust me. I will handle this matter."
That night, due to Juliet's depression, Bradley and Freya stayed over.
Before dawn broke, a sudden thunderstorm started before a scream could be heard from the adjacent room.