CHAPTER 55: BECAUSE YOU HATE HIM

She didn’t remember falling asleep, but the warmth wrapped around her now felt almost too comfortable to be real. Her cheek rested against something firm, and the steady rhythm beneath her ear lulled her back into that hazy space between sleep and waking.

Without thinking, she shifted slightly, inching closer to the source of heat, her hand unconsciously gripping at the fabric bunched beneath her fingers.

It took a few seconds longer before something felt...off.

The texture beneath her palm wasn’t a shirt. It was skin. Warm, bare skin.

Her brows slowly pulled together, and her lashes fluttered open, only to be met with the quiet rise and fall of a bare chest just inches away from her face. Her breath caught as her brain finally connected the dots, she had been using his body like a pillow, and worse, he wasn’t even wearing a shirt.

For a moment, she froze, unsure whether to move away or pretend she hadn’t realized it yet. But then her gaze drifted slightly downward and her heart nearly stopped—thankfully, he was still wearing pants. That was the only thing saving her from full-blown panic.

She began to inch herself backward, slow and careful at first, trying not to wake him or draw attention to how much she had unknowingly invaded his space. But then her brows furrowed.

Why was she the one being cautious?

Knowing Elias, it was more likely he had pulled her into this position while she was sleeping, not the other way around. That sneaky man seemed to be the type to find a way to blur lines and play dumb afterward. Huffing softly, she narrowed her eyes and reached up, pinching his lips together with no mercy.

"Wake up, you sneaky little octopus," she muttered under her breath.

But the moment his eyes fluttered open and met hers, her whole body stiffened.

It wasn’t the usual glint of mischief or that sleepy, harmless gaze Elias wore.

It was that cold one.

Her hand moved on its own, pressing against his chest, trying to put space between them. "I’m sorry... I mean..." she stammered, shifting back instinctively. But before she could fully pull away, his arms tightened, pulling her in closer.

"What are you doing?!" she hissed, alarmed.

The cold, vacant eyes softened in a blink, replaced by a teasing curve of a smile.

"Good morning, sister."

She froze.

No. That wasn’t right. ’I’m sure it was him a second ago...’

She stayed still, her mind running faster than her body could react.

There was a beat of silence between them and his arms still around her.

Daisy’s eyes darted across his face, searching.

No hint of confusion. No sign of recognition.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, voice light and annoyingly Elias-like, as if they were back to their usual banter.

But her pulse hadn’t slowed down yet.

She swallowed, trying to ease the tightness in her throat. "Did you... pull me into your arms while I was sleeping?"

He blinked, then grinned. "Would you be mad if I said yes?"

Her face twitched. "Very."

"Then I didn’t. Must’ve been your own body craving my warmth," he said, smug.

She rolled her eyes, pushing at his arm. "Let go. I need to brush my teeth."

He didn’t move. "A thank-you would be nice. I didn’t even kick you out of the bed after you assaulted me in your sleep."

"I what?"

"You were all over me."

"I was trying not to—" she stopped mid-sentence, biting her tongue. Why was she even explaining herself?

She yanked herself free and threw the blanket off. "I’m brushing my teeth. Don’t talk to me."

As she stormed off toward the bathroom, he chuckled behind her.

But the sound didn’t settle her and what was more surprising, what truly threw her off, was the realization that she actually liked being in his embrace.

Not just tolerated it but liked it.

If it had been anyone else, she would’ve already grabbed the nearest pan and smacked them straight on the head without a second thought.

No hesitation. No regrets.

But with him...

She remembered the warmth, the steady rhythm of his breathing, how her cheek had fit perfectly against his chest.

And that scared her more than the cold eyes she saw this morning.

Because for a moment, just a small stupid moment, It had felt like she had someone to lean on.

"Should we go out—"

"Oh my gosh!" She almost slipped back when Elias greeted her the moment she stepped out of the bathroom. "Ish..." she gritted her teeth, fist already raised to smack him down.

"Ah–ah, nope! Not a good idea to knock out your husband..." He swiftly leaned down to match her height and tipped her nose. "Let’s go out. I want to do some shopping."

But a smack still landed right on his head.

"What the hell are you doing? Wake up... you’re not my husband."

"I am..." He held onto his head with a grimace. "This is your husband’s body. Practically, I am your husband, no?"

"No!" she snapped, shutting him up as she marched straight to the bed.

"So, what do I do to make you accept me as your husband?" He trailed after her like a persistent child with separation anxiety. "Hmm?"

Daisy sat down at the edge of the bed and squinted at him in sheer annoyance. "Why would you even want me to accept you as my husband?"

"I told you yesterday... I fell in love with you," he grinned, baring all his teeth like it was the proudest confession in the world.

She motioned for him to come closer. When he did, she leaned in and whispered in his ear, slowly and clearly, "My husband is Theo. That is the fact. If you want me to accept you as your husband, bring Theo back."

He straightened up again, this time slower, his grin fading as a flash of frustration crossed his face. "I can’t do that."

"Why?" Her voice lowered in curiosity.

He looked straight at her and answered, "Because you hate him."