Chapter 7 You Took My Pillow PART 1

Benedict reached for the pillow Cordelia was holding, giving it a firm tug and causing her to miss the catch, tumbling off the sofa. Ouch, that fall hurt her bones! Cordelia let out a muffled groan, lifting her gaze to Benedict's grim face. She got up indignantly. "What's your deal?" Benedict, looking cold and aloof, couldn't stand the fact that she slept while he didn't. He wasn't pleased. "You took my pillow." "It's just a pillow. Are you really that petty?" Cordelia rubbed her arm, the groaning sound resembling a cat about to cry. Slightly stunned, Benedict, with an icy demeanor, jaw clenched, emitted a chill. "I don't like sleeping with strangers." Was he implying she should leave? But if she left, Archibald would find it. "I know you can't stand me, but besides the sofa, I have nowhere else to sleep." Cordelia had to suppress her anger. After all, she was relying on Benedict now. The tall man before her remained stoic, his face resembling a glacier without a hint of emotion. Benedict lowered his gaze to Cordelia. Her clear eyes were moist, her voice sweet and soft, like a newborn kitten using its soft paws to claw at his chest. What a skilled actress! It seemed like if he pushed her any further, he'd be taking advantage of her vulnerability. "You better not snore, or I'll kick you out," Benedict said before turning back to the bed. It was their wedding night, for goodness' sake. Sleeping separately was one thing, but threatening to kick her out? In the end, Cordelia bit her lip and endured. Cordelia returned to the sofa, her petite figure curling up like a kitten, quickly falling asleep again. Benedict placed the pillow next to him. The faint fruity scent from the pillow she had used was pleasant. For someone who usually had trouble sleeping, he strangely felt a warm tranquility and soon drifted off. Early the next morning, a knock on the door signaled Archibald's arrival. Cordelia woke up and, without a second thought, rushed to the bed, making enough noise to wake the sleeping man. "Cordelia, are you trying to get yourself killed?" Benedict, irritated by the abrupt wake-up, asked. Startled, Cordelia explained, "Mr. Archibald is here. If he finds out we're not sleeping together, do you believe he'll sit on the sofa every night watching us?" Benedict's expression darkened, and he pulled Cordelia's small frame into his arms. Her body was warm, with a faint fragrance. As he held her, her cheeks instantly turned rosy. The knocking resumed. Archibald's kindly voice echoed. "Cordelia, Benedict, I'm coming in." The door opened, revealing the two still in bed. Benedict, holding Cordelia, frowned displeasedly. "Grandpa, is it appropriate to barge into a newlywed couple's room so early in the morning?" Cordelia, feigning just waking up, pressed her soft cheek against Benedict's shoulder, greeting. "Mr. Archibald, good morning!" Archibald entered, sat on the sofa, and with a slightly darkened gaze, remarked, "When did you two become actors? Your performance is quite impressive." Cordelia, feeling guilty, glanced at Benedict and complained softly, "See, your acting is so bad. Mr. Archibald saw through it." Benedict snorted mockingly. "Why don't you admit that your pretending-to-sleep act was too obvious? The knocking was so loud, and you still pretended not to wake up?" When the argument between the two was about to escalate, Archibald sternly intervened. "Enough! The sofa is hot now. Did you kick Cordelia to the sofa?"