Chapter 299: A Seductive Journey

“Lily, thank you.”

Her actions spoke louder than any words. Marcus felt it clearly, a silent acceptance that stirred something deep within him. As the others moved toward the dining room, he gently pulled Lily aside, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close, his voice low and filled with emotion.

She had given so much for him. Again and again, she put him first, yielding to his wishes without complaint. Even when it came to Snow, even through all the pain she must have endured, she had never turned away from him.

How could he not be moved by a woman like her?

“You’re getting off easy.”

Lily’s voice carried a faint bitterness, and though she tried to steady herself, her eyes still shimmered with unshed tears.

She had always chosen to accept things, to go along with him, but that did not mean it did not hurt. Watching the man she loved most be shared with others was not something she could simply ignore.

“As long as you keep me in your heart, as long as you love me… that’s enough.” Her voice softened, but her gaze remained unwavering as she looked straight at him. “But if you ever abandon me, I’ll die in front of you.”

It was not a threat spoken in anger, but a quiet, absolute conviction. The only thing she asked of him, and the one thing she could not compromise.

“Lily…”

Marcus could not hold back any longer. He pulled her tightly into his arms and kissed her, pressing his lips against hers with a depth that carried everything he could not fully put into words. The resentment, the hurt, the love, all of it melted together in that moment.

“Lily, you’ll always be mine.”

His resolve only grew stronger.

“Marcus, Lily, dinner’s ready! Hurry up!”

Amber’s voice rang out from the dining room, bright and completely oblivious. With the rooms separated, no one could see what had just passed between them.

“Coming!”

Marcus reluctantly pulled away, a trace of helplessness in his expression. That girl always had a way of interrupting at the worst possible moment.

“You go first.”

Lily’s face flushed deeply, the sudden interruption leaving her flustered. She slipped out of his arms at once, like a startled rabbit, and hurried away before anyone could see her like that.

“I’m losing control more and more…”

The thought lingered in her mind as she stepped into the bathroom. Whenever Marcus held her, whenever she felt his warmth and caught his scent, her emotions surged beyond her control.

She caught sight of her reflection, her flushed face, her softened expression, and quickly splashed cold water over her cheeks.

“Devil.”

She muttered under her breath, though her heart was filled with a quiet, undeniable happiness. She was falling deeper for him with each passing day.

It was both frustrating and irresistible.

From the moment dinner began, the atmosphere turned lively. The five women filled the table with laughter and conversation, their voices overlapping in an endless stream of chatter.

Marcus barely managed to say a word. It was maddening.

Between Amber and Jade’s relentless enthusiasm, Willow hardly had a moment to breathe, let alone bring up leaving. It was only after ten that she finally found a chance.

But even then, Jade was not ready to let her go.

“Willow, don’t leave tonight. I still have so much to tell you.”

“Yeah, Willow, stay over!”

Amber immediately chimed in, her eyes bright with excitement.

These two really had endless energy.

Marcus frowned slightly. He had things he wanted to say to Willow as well, and more importantly, he knew she was not in any condition to stay up all night talking. She needed rest.

“Willow just got back. She’s tired from the trip. Let her rest tonight. You can see her tomorrow.”

He cut in decisively, leaving little room for argument.

“Ah, right! I forgot!”

Jade slapped her forehead lightly, then slipped behind Willow and began gently massaging her shoulders. She stuck her tongue out at Marcus playfully.

“Marcus, I can give Willow a massage.”

She tilted her chin with a smug look. That mischievous glint in her eyes was all too familiar.

“Feels good, right?”

“Jade, maybe tomorrow. I’m a bit tired.”

Willow reached up and lightly patted Jade’s hand, her tone gentle and firm.

In truth, she was exhausted. After everything that had happened earlier, she had not even had the chance to properly clean up. Her body still felt uncomfortable, and the lingering soreness made every movement a quiet reminder. What she needed now was rest, not company.

Still, her thoughts were anything but calm. Her gaze drifted across the room, lingering on the others.

Why was Jade living here?

She knew Marcus and Snow had broken up and had not reconciled. By all logic, Jade should despise him, yet here she was, completely at ease, even playful with him. And Crystal… that distant, cold woman who never involved herself with men… was also living under the same roof?

The more Willow thought about it, the less it made sense. Looking at the four women around her, she could not piece it together at all.

“Alright then. Willow, see you at school tomorrow.”

Jade finally relented, though not without reluctance.

“It’s late. I’ll walk Ms. Willow out.”

As Willow stepped outside, Marcus followed without hesitation. With everyone watching, he kept his tone formal.

“Willow, are you alright?”

The moment they were out of sight, his voice softened, and he reached for her arm.

He knew she had been enduring it all this time, holding herself together in front of the others. Staying so long must have been difficult for her. Just thinking about it made his chest tighten.

“None of your business.”

Her eyes grew moist again, tears slipping free before she could stop them. She twisted slightly, trying to pull away from him, her frustration still lingering.

Even like this, she looked… disarmingly soft.

As long as she was angry, it meant she still cared. What he feared most was indifference.

Marcus let out a faint chuckle. Instead of letting go, his grip tightened slightly. He stepped closer, one hand settling at her waist as he gently drew her toward him.

“Willow, let me help you walk.”

His voice dropped, warm and low beside her ear. Watching the color rise to her cheeks, he had to restrain the impulse to kiss her again.

“Marcus, don’t.”

The closeness only made her more flustered. Her heart pounded wildly, and she struggled harder to break free.

Even at this hour, the campus was far from empty. People still passed by, and the thought of being seen like this, so close, so intimate, overwhelmed her.

She simply could not accept it yet.

“Stop moving. If you keep struggling, I’ll carry you.”

Marcus spoke plainly, unconcerned with the glances around them. What mattered to him was her condition, not anyone else’s opinion.

“Ah…”

Her movement only made things worse. A sharp discomfort forced a soft cry from her lips.

“Willow, what is it?”

The moment he heard it, his expression changed. Without hesitation, he scooped her up into his arms, holding her securely against his chest as he started toward her apartment.

Before leaving for England, Willow had already secured a position at the university after completing her doctorate. Through connections, she had arranged an apartment on campus in advance.

“Don’t…”

Being supported like before had already embarrassed her enough. Now, being carried openly like this left her completely flustered. She struggled instinctively.

But this time, Marcus did not let her slip free. His hold was firm, steady, leaving no room for escape.

Students still lingered around campus, and more than a few turned to look as he carried her across the dimly lit paths. It was not a common sight, especially not one so bold.

But the darkness worked in her favor. Willow had already buried her face against his chest, too embarrassed to lift her head.

If anyone had recognized her, one of Crestwood University’s most admired figures, known for her distance from men, it would have caused an uproar.

“Marcus, you jerk! Put me down!”

Her voice came out half angry, half flustered, though she did not dare raise it too much.

Her movements only pressed her closer against him, and he could not help noticing. The snug fit of Lily’s clothes only emphasized her figure, and the soft, unintentional contact made it difficult for him to look away.

There was something dangerously captivating about her like this. What a journey this had become.

“Put me down, or I’ll scream.”

She glared at him, trying to muster some authority despite her situation.

“Go ahead. If you scream, I’ll deal with you.”

His tone carried a teasing edge, though his grip remained steady. He shifted slightly, making sure she would not slip.

“And if you do, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Her body stiffened slightly at his words.

“You bully… you just like pushing me around.”

Her protest came out softer now, more helpless than before. She glared at him, eyes still faintly wet, but she did not raise her voice.

She never truly intended to.

It was just that the eyes around them, the attention, the closeness, all of it overwhelmed her.

Deep down, it was not that she hated being held like this. It was not that she did not want him to.

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