CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88: THE CONDITION FOR NOT MOVING OUT

His words made Victoria Sinclair so anxious that she kneeled on the bed, straightening her waist, "Eugene, you’ve had scandals with Renee and flirted with Vivian, yet I’ve unwaveringly believed in you, and now you’re doubting I might have someone else?"

"If you want me to trust you, it’s possible." Eugene pointed at the suitcase, his tone firm, "Put your clothes back, withdraw the divorce suit."

Victoria spoke candidly, "Eugene, I truly no longer wish to be with you. This hopeless marriage is exhausting and painful for me."

Eugene walked over and gripped her arms forcibly, pulling her in front of him.

Victoria’s soft body was shaken slightly, almost falling into his embrace, her hands instinctively pressing against his solid chest muscles, her palms closely touching the man’s warm skin.

Eugene’s voice was deep and cold, "Do you have a man you like?"

Victoria felt a bit of pain from his grip, gazing into his profound eyes, she nervously shook her head, "No."

"No other man you like, nor do you like me. If your heart is that calm, this divorce isn’t necessarily unavoidable."

Victoria felt utterly weary, "Two years is not a short time, we’re both wasting each other’s time."

Something fleeting and undetectable passed through Eugene’s eyes, "Victoria, we can start over."

Victoria blurted out, "I don’t want to."

Eugene suddenly pulled her tightly into his arms, burying his face in her shoulder and neck, taking a deep breath, "What am I going to do with you?"

Victoria was so engulfed by the sudden hug that she almost couldn’t breathe.

His chest was firm and sturdy, his arms strong and powerful, his warm breaths sprayed into her neck, making her skin itch, a tingling sensation spread like tiny flames, spreading to her limbs and entire body.

Her mind was a mess, utterly perplexed.

Considering Eugene’s fear of divorce, he presumably cherished her.

But why hadn’t he cherished her in these past two years?

Reaching this point, was he pretending to be deeply affectionate again?

Victoria remained stiff in his arms for a long while, feeling disoriented and confused, "Eugene, we’re not compatible, you dislike me for being dull and uninteresting, dislike me being aloof and introspective, do you still remember how much you resented me before?"

"Those were just words spoken in anger." Eugene held her tighter.

"Angry words?" Victoria paused in astonishment, after a long while she asked, "So, what are you angry about with me?"

Eugene fell silent, tightening his arms around her soft, fragrant body, wanting to push her into his heart.

Victoria felt his embrace was full and forceful, starting to ache slightly from being squeezed.

Soon, Eugene answered evasively, "I promise you, it won’t happen again."

"In other poor marriages, there are at least hot and cold moments, but you’ve only been cold to me until now. I have proposed divorce twice, and twice you pleaded for me to stay, you’re simply averse to divorce, not the person I am."

"Do you want me to dig out my heart for you to see?"

Victoria was especially serious, "If you dig out your heart, you’ll die, and I’ll only see a bloodied heart, which tells me nothing."

Eugene grasped her shoulders and gently pushed her away, gazing with burning intensity, his light tone exceptionally serious: "Victoria Sinclair, I’ll say it one last time, I’m not getting a divorce. You can file a lawsuit, and even if the judge rules for a divorce, I won’t acknowledge it."

Victoria was upset, "This is a society governed by law."

Eugene snorted coolly, "You want to move out simply because you fear I’ll force myself on you, losing the rationale for a divorce."

Victoria was somewhat flustered, maintaining silence.

Eugene hooked her nape, leaning down to meet her gaze, his gentle voice carried a hint of threat, "As long as you don’t move out, I guarantee I won’t force you, but if you insist on leaving, I don’t mind bearing a marital rape charge, spending three years in jail."

Victoria was frightened, her fingertips trembled, nervously swallowing, unsure of what to do for the moment.

He was too serious, not seeming to scare her.

Eugene’s large hand stroked her hair, leisurely moving her long hair from her chest to her back, his gaze carried an invasive intent, moving slowly down her pristine, captivating face, skimming past her fair neck, dangerously fixating on her voluptuous, delicate figure.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly, his voice hoarse and low, "Not having slept with you in these two years was due to a mental block, but physically I’m perfectly fine, you should have just felt it."

Victoria was heated from his scorching gaze, she’d never seen Eugene like this; somewhat tender yet calmly maddened.

She didn’t dare gamble with Eugene’s moral boundaries, after all, Eugene’s physique was indeed intact, when held in sleep, she could clearly sense the daunting response of his beast-like virility; he was so strong.

If Eugene resorted to coercion to torment her, her life might even be endangered.

Victoria’s clear eyes glimmered with fear.

Eugene satisfactorily curved his lips, his voice expressly gentle, "Sleep a bit more, I’ll help you tidy."

Having said that, he walked over to the suitcase, setting it down, crouching to unzip it.

Victoria hurriedly got out of bed, walking barefoot in front of him, pressing on the suitcase, "No need, I’ll do it myself."

"Let me help you."

"Truly, there’s no need."

"Sure you won’t move out?" Eugene’s deep eyes gazed at her, with an unfathomable dimness.

Victoria hesitated.

Eugene furrowed his brow lightly, his face darkening instantly.

Victoria felt his aura gradually becoming cold, nervously swallowing, "I can stay, but under one condition."

Eugene stood up, "Don’t say one, even ten thousand conditions are okay."

Victoria followed suit to stand, "Can you stop heavy drinking?"

Eugene startled, his body slightly stiff, staring blankly at her.

Seems truly surprised by her condition, after a long while he exhaled softly, a faint smile emerging at the corners of his lips, "I can do it."

Victoria lowered her head in response, "Alright."

"Anything else?"

"If the judge rules for divorce, I surely have to move out; hope you won’t hinder me then."

Eugene didn’t agree directly, changing the subject, "This place is near your work, more convenient for commuting."

Victoria quickly responded, "The medical research institute’s contract expired, the landlord requires me to move out by August."

Eugene’s eyes darkened instantly, silently watching her.

Victoria thought she had said too much, hurriedly crouching, taking folded clothes from the suitcase and placing them in the cabinet.

Eugene silently opened another suitcase.

Victoria helplessly said, "Truly, I don’t need your help, go take a shower and catch some more sleep."

Eugene didn’t reply, taking out books from the suitcase.

He placed the books on the desk, his fingers gently touching the corner, even a thin layer of dust made him uncomfortable, "There’s dust, don’t you clean regularly?"

Victoria turned her head to look, "There were a lot of books before, let alone not dirty, who has time to clean every day?"

Eugene didn’t respond, leaving the room to find a new towel, wetting and wringing it dry, returning to her room, cleaning her desk and vanity flawlessly.

Victoria hung the clothes in the wardrobe, occasionally turning back to stealthily observe his busy silhouette.

Because Eugene wasn’t wearing a shirt, her view was filled with the masculinity—the broad back muscles, slender waist, healthy complexion, and even under the thin trousers, the taut buttocks appeared lifted, every move was captivating and alluring.

Although it was her room, it was brimming with male hormones.

Victoria’s face gradually warmed, her breathing became uneven, a slightly bashful and soft voice, "Eugene, can you please put on a shirt?"