Chapter 298: After Desire [II]

Author’s Note:

I’ve seen the complaints. Some of you don’t like the parts outside the game, especially the MC’s interactions with female characters. That’s fair, I get it. Not everything I’m doing here will match everyone’s taste.

But I’m building something step by step. The character growth is slow on purpose. It won’t click right away, and I understand that can be frustrating. Still, I think it’s clear that inside the game, things are working well. The system, the world and the lore, I’ve put a lot into that, and I’m glad many of you see the potential there.

As for the parts outside the game, I hear you. I’ll keep improving them. It just won’t happen overnight. I hope you’ll stick around and keep enjoying what’s happening in the game while things develop.

And to those who’ve stayed and kept reading, thank you, seriously. A lot of readers dropped the story early because of the MC’s character, and I understand why. But they didn’t stay long enough to see where things were going or get to the more interesting parts. This story didn’t perform the way I hoped it would, and that can be discouraging. But your support is the reason I’m still writing.

Also, if you have time, check out my latest book. It’s very different from this one. The MC is more competent, more likable, and doesn’t carry the same flaws. I made that a priority. If you enjoy strong leads and solid game lore, I think you’ll like it.

Thanks again for sticking with me.

—-

“Willow.”

Marcus moved closer to her, lowering himself beside her on the bed. He reached out carefully, brushing away the tears that clung to her cheeks. A quiet unease settled in his chest. He hoped he had not truly hurt her. More than anything, he hoped she could understand what he felt.

Willow Moran, the woman who made his pulse quicken, who carried herself with the grace of a mature lady and the pride of an aristocrat, was now curled up in front of him, fragile and shaken because of him. The sight stirred something deep within him. His tenderness for her only deepened.

“Willow, I…”

The words hovered at the edge of his lips. He had been about to say it, to tell her he would take responsibility, to ask her to stay with him. But before he could speak, Willow stirred. Feeling the warmth of his hand, catching his scent so close to her, she slowly opened her eyes.

The moment she did, she saw him beside her, completely naked.

Her face flushed instantly.

“Ah! Pervert!”

Her cry cut straight through his unfinished confession. She squeezed her eyes shut again, pulled the blanket tightly around herself, and turned away from him, refusing to look at him any longer.

Marcus let out a quiet sigh. He had not expected things to turn in this direction.

“Willow… Willow…”

He gently patted the blanket, calling her name softly, but she only curled tighter beneath it, hiding herself completely and ignoring him as if he were not there.

Glancing at the time, his expression tightened. Lily and the others would be back soon. If they walked in on this, there would be no explaining it away. There was no time left for gentleness, not even enough for a proper shower.

He got up quickly, pulled clothes from the closet, and dressed. After a moment’s hesitation, he found a set of Lily’s clothes. Aside from Willow’s fuller curves, their figures were similar, both slender and elegant.

“Willow, put these on.”

He placed the clothes carefully on the bed. She did not move.

Knowing her embarrassment ran too deep for her to respond, he forced himself to turn away, abandoning the tempting sight he had no right to linger on.

“Willow, I’ll wait outside.”

With a mix of awkwardness and lingering regret, he stepped out into the living room.

Time passed slowly. The faint sounds from the kitchen told him Mrs. Julia was nearly done with dinner. Lily and the others would be home at any moment. Still, Willow did not come out.

At last, unable to wait any longer, he pushed the door open again.

Willow had already dressed.

She stood with her back partly turned to him, her profile elegant and composed. The clothes fit her well, draping over her slender figure in a way that only enhanced her natural allure. Her bearing remained proud, almost untouchable, yet there was a subtle softness now that had not been there before.

Even through the fabric, the fullness of her chest drew his gaze, and paired with her flawless face and that faint, restrained expression, she nearly pulled him back into the same reckless state as before.

He forced himself to steady his thoughts.

Willow was tidying the room, gathering scattered clothes and smoothing the disheveled bed. She was almost finished, but Marcus could see the strain in her movements. Each step she took was careful, unsteady. It was obvious why. He had not held back earlier, and now she was paying the price for it.

“Willow, let me.”

Seeing her like this stirred a sharp ache in him. He moved forward quickly, intending to help.

But the moment she noticed him, she turned away again, her expression tightening. She still refused to acknowledge him.

“Willow, I…”

He finished tidying the rest of the room in silence and stepped closer to her. Whatever happened next, he had to make his feelings clear.

“Marcus, let me be.”

Her voice was quiet, but firm enough to stop him.

“Marcus, let me be. I’m going home.”

Her eyes shimmered faintly as she spoke. Without looking at him again, she moved toward the door, intent on leaving.

Marcus stood frozen for a moment, watching her retreating figure. Her steps were uneven, careful, as if each one cost her effort. The sight tightened something painfully in his chest.

He could not let her go like this.

“Willow…”

She had not blamed him, not even once.

The realization snapped him out of his hesitation.

In a single stride, he caught up to her just as she reached the door. He took her hand, pulling her gently but firmly back toward him, and met her gaze.

“Willow, I love you. I want to take responsibility. I want you to stay with me.”

There was no hesitation left in his voice now. His gaze was steady, filled with a certainty he had not shown before.

“Willow, trust me.”

For a brief moment, her eyes flickered. Then the tears she had been holding back spilled over again, tracing down her pale cheeks.

He reached out instinctively, wiping them away with a gentleness that contrasted sharply with his earlier recklessness.

“Marcus, Lily’s back. Time for dinner?”

Mrs. Julia’s voice came from the hallway just as she stepped out of the kitchen. Catching sight of Willow from behind and recognizing the clothes, she assumed it was Lily and spoke without a second thought.

The timing could not have been worse.

“Marcus, I’m going home.”

Hearing Lily’s name, seeing herself dressed in Lily’s clothes, and realizing what that implied, Willow’s expression faltered. A quiet hurt surfaced in her eyes. She tried to pull her hand free.

But Marcus held on.

His grip was firm, unyielding. He would not let her leave like this.

“Willow, Lily and the others will be back any second. Stay and eat with us.”

He ignored the pain in her expression, the tears she had not fully wiped away. Some things could not be avoided forever. If it had to happen, then it would happen now. He had never intended to hide anything from Lily.

Without giving her the chance to refuse again, he guided her toward the living room.

“Ah!”

After only a couple of steps, Willow let out a soft cry.

Marcus turned immediately. Her brows were drawn together, her body swaying as her legs gave way slightly beneath her.

Only then did it hit him. He had forgotten she could barely walk.

His pace had been too fast, too careless. The strain was more than she could handle.

“Willow, I’m sorry.”

Regret flooded through him. He stepped forward quickly, catching her before she could fall. Carefully, he steadied her, his movements much gentler now as he helped her along.

“Willow, slowly.”

This time, he guided her at a careful pace toward the sofa. She no longer resisted. Whatever strength she had to insist on leaving was gone for now.

“Marcus, we’re home!”

Not long after, the front door opened, and familiar voices filled the room. Amber rushed in first, followed closely by Jade Nance. The moment they spotted Marcus, they called out to him from across the living room.

Then their eyes landed on Willow.

“Ah! Willow!”

Both of them lit up instantly and ran toward her.

Amber had always followed Marcus around, so she naturally knew Willow well. As for Jade, she had been acquainted with Willow for years.

They reached her in seconds, each taking one of her arms with unrestrained excitement.

“Willow, you’re even more beautiful than when I saw you last year. I’m so jealous. I want to look like you when I grow up.”

Amber’s admiration was completely genuine. Willow’s presence carried a natural allure that even other women could not help but praise.

“Willow, when did you get back? Why didn’t you call us? My sister and I would have gone to pick you up.”

Jade chimed in just as enthusiastically. The two of them quickly fell into lively chatter, surrounding Willow with warmth and energy.

Willow managed a faint smile.

“It’s only been a year, and you’ve both grown so much.”

Looking at them, she could not help but feel a quiet amazement. Their youth, their brightness, it was the kind of beauty that stirred envy in anyone.

Women were like that. The young admired maturity, and the mature envied youth.

Amber and Jade continued talking without pause, their excitement leaving little room for anyone else to speak. Lily and Crystal barely managed a greeting before being swept aside by the conversation.

“Willow, your clothes look exactly like Lily’s. They’re so pretty.”

Amber’s eyes finally caught on something familiar, and she tilted her head curiously.

Marcus stiffened slightly.

Willow fell silent, unsure how to respond.

“Yeah, they do look the same. I noticed that too.”

Marcus stepped in quickly, forcing a casual tone. There was no way he could let that question go any further.

Still, as he spoke, he glanced toward Lily with a hint of apology.

She had already seen through it.

The clothes Willow wore were unmistakably hers. Combined with Marcus’s expression, it did not take much for her to understand what had happened.

But with dinner ready and everyone gathered, she chose not to press the matter.

“Let’s eat. We can talk at the table.”

Her tone remained composed as she stepped forward to take charge.

“Willow, sit between me and Jade.”

Amber and Jade eagerly led Willow toward the dining room.

As Willow walked, Lily noticed the slight stiffness in her steps, the careful way she moved. Understanding dawned instantly.

She had walked that same way once. So that was why Marcus had looked at her like that.

When the others moved ahead, Lily slowed her steps, turning back toward him. Without a word, she reached out and pinched him sharply.

Then, just as quickly, her fingers relaxed, and she slipped her hand into his, letting him hold it.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep