Faux Vows, True Desires

Chapter 351

Madeleine watched as Nathan's expression remained unfazed, a sense of relief washing over her.

What she feared the most was that once Janice recovered, Nathan might return to his old love.

After all, back in the day, the couple was affectionate.

If it wasn't for Janice's mental breakdown and her inability to fulfill her duties as the matriarch, coupled with Madeleine's shameless pursuit of Nathan, he wouldn't have accepted her, allowing her to accompany him to various social events, assuming the responsibilities of a matriarch.

She had worked so hard and endured so much for so long she couldn't let all of it go to waste.

Seeing Nathan's expression, Madeleine felt slightly relieved, believing that it was impossible for Nathan and Janice to return to their old ways. Janice may have aged well, but she was nearing fifty. How could she compete with Madeleine's youthful twenty-six?

To Nathan, she was a flower in full bloom.

Compared to a wilting flower, everyone preferred a blooming one.

As Nathan opened the door to his room, Madeleine followed him in.

There was no scent of incense in the room yet.

The aphrodisiac incense was still in her purse.

And her purse was in her bedroom.

This wasn't Madeleine's first time in Nathan's room. She walked over to the wardrobe like a wife would, picked out some clean clothes for Nathan, and then proceeded to the bathroom, where she prepared a bath for him. Calling out, "Nathan, I've got your bath ready, go freshen up."

Nathan grunted in acknowledgment.

He stood at the bathroom door, watching Madeleine, his mind filled with images of Janice, who used to take care of him in the same way.

A sweet scent filled the air.

Snapping back to reality, Nathan found Madeleine already in front of him.

"What are you thinking about?"

Madeleine noticed him staring at her with a gentle gaze, a smile tugging at his lips. She involuntarily softened her expression, her eyes filled with tender affection.

She reached for his collar with both hands, ready to help him unbutton his shirt.

"Madeleine." Nathan reached out and held her hands, speaking gently, "You've been so good to me."

"Only now, you realize?"

Nathan chuckled, "It's late. You should go get some rest, too. Let's have breakfast together tomorrow."

Madeleine snuggled into his arms, her hands around his waist, softly pleading, "Nathan, can I stay here and take care of you?"

With a gentle embrace, Nathan gently pushed her away.

"Don't say 'take care of,' it makes me feel like I'm in my eighties, incapable of taking care of myself."

Madeleine playfully hit him, "In my eyes, you're still young. When you're with Keith, you look like brothers. Don't say you're old, and I don't like hearing it. We're the same age!"

"Hahaha."

Nathan laughed heartily.

"Alright, alright, we're the same age. I'm not old. Now stop teasing and go get some rest. It's really late."

Madeleine pouted.

This man was so clueless.

"Got it."

She pulled Nathan into the bathroom, saying, "Take your time. I'll go back to my room first."

Nathan smiled and lightly touched her forehead. She blushed and turned to leave the bathroom.

Once she was gone, Nathan quietly locked the bathroom door to prevent her from barging in while he was undressed.

It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened.

But tonight, Madeleine had no intention of barging into the bathroom. As soon as she left, she rushed back to her room, picked up her purse, and took out the aphrodisiac incense and lighter. She silently returned to Nathan's room.

She lit the incense in a corner of his room. Worried the scent wouldn't be strong enough, she lit some more under the bed and closed all the doors and windows, even pulling the curtains shut.

The incense under the bed burnt out quickly. By the time Nathan came out of the bath, only the scent remained.

As soon as Nathan stepped out, he smelled the incense. He sniffed a few times before walking over to Madeleine, who was sitting on the couch playing with her phone. "Madeleine, why haven't you returned to your room to rest?"

"I wanted to talk to you. You've been away for a few days. Didn't you miss me?"

Madeleine put her phone down, stood up, and wrapped her arms around his neck, coquettishly saying, "I missed you so much."

Nathan pulled her hands away, but she stubbornly pulled him down to sit on the couch with her. She even pushed him down onto the couch, positioning herself on top of him.

"Nathan."

Madeleine had been exposed to the scent of the aphrodisiac incense longer. While waiting for Nathan on the couch, she started to feel the effects. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Internally, she applauded the effectiveness of the incense.

At that moment, her cheeks were flushed. She pinned Nathan down, her gaze becoming hazy. She lowered her head to close the distance, aiming to kiss Nathan.

Suddenly, Nathan sat up. Caught off guard, Madeleine fell to the floor.

"Madeleine."

Nathan quickly helped her up.

"Madeleine, do you smell something? I can't quite identify the scent."

Madeleine's failed attempt to kiss him and her fall to the floor left her feeling indignant. The effects of the incense had amplified her feelings.

When he helped her up, she immediately wrapped her arms around him again, nuzzling into his chest, her breath sweet, softly saying, "It might be the flowers from the garden. Their scent must have drifted in."

The Blue family's garden was filled with a variety of flowers. When they bloomed, the sweet fragrance filled the air.

"Nathan, I love you. Nathan, can we have a child?"

Madeleine looked up, her gaze becoming unclear. She wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck, pulling his head down, once again offering her lips for a kiss.

Nathan dodged her kiss, trying to push her away. But she clung to him like an octopus, mumbling incoherently. Her cheeks were flushed, and Nathan couldn't be more certain about what was happening.

He raised his hand and struck the back of Madeleine's neck, knocking her unconscious.

He caught her limp body and laid it down on the couch.

Nathan quickly realized something was amiss.

He found himself wanting to kiss Madeleine, even desiring to share a passionate night with her.

He had been ensnared!

Nathan swiftly moved away from the couch, placing a considerable distance between himself and Madeleine.

When had he fallen into the trap?

Nathan hadn't been exposed to the fragrance for as long as Madeleine, and he still had his wits about him.

At this moment, he didn't have the leisure to analyze when or how he fell into the trap.

He turned and walked away.

Pulling open the door, the fresh air from outside seemed to momentarily quell the heatwave inside him.

In an instant, Nathan recalled the scent he smelled when he stepped out of the bathroom.

That fragrance was suspicious!

Madeleine had tried to manipulate him more than once, but each attempt was skillfully dodged.

He hadn't expected her to use perfume this time. No wonder she didn't bother him as usual when he was showering. She must have lit some scented candle while he was bathing. He had never thought Madeleine would use such a tactic, and he fell for it.

Downstairs, familiar footsteps echoed.

It was Keith returning.

Along with Keith's footsteps, there were Hayden's.