Chapter 127: Chapter 127: The Next Day

The morning sunlight filtered through the heavy, thick curtains in the room, casting dappled patterns of light across the disheveled bed. Although a night had passed and the space had been tidied, the air still lingered with a faint, masculine scent. The remnants of last night’s intimacy and the ambiguous atmosphere of their indulgence remained suspended in the room.

Julian Sterling woke up not because of the intruding rays of light, but due to the aching pain radiating through every inch of his limbs. His first sensation upon regaining consciousness was a bone-deep exhaustion, so profound that he felt as if his very being had been shattered into a thousand pieces.

Every bone in Julian’s body felt as though it had been flattened by a heavy vehicle and then crushed into fine powder. There was not a single muscle that did not cry out in protest. His waist, in particular, was so sore and weary that it felt as if it might snap in two. And then there was that private, unspeakable place behind… It felt hot, swollen, and filled with an uncomfortable pressure, as if something was still contained within him. It was this very sensation that caused Julian to recall the events of the previous night in a sudden flash.

In a state of half-awake daze, Julian seemed to have forgotten that Ethan Caldwell had already removed that detestable prosthetic device during the night. In a panic, Jules reached down toward his lower abdomen, fumbling to feel the skin there.

Empty.

Ah, right.

At that moment, Julian finally came to his senses. He remembered that the wicked toy had been discarded by Ethan. He let out a long sigh of relief, his chest heaving weakly. However, almost instantly, the complete memories of the previous night flooded back like a torrential tide, drowning Julian Sterling in a wave of intense shame and simmering fury.

The sound of ringing bells seemed to still echo in his ears, along with his own whimpers, sobs, and breathless pleas for mercy. The silhouette reflected in the mirror, a naked body stained with the marks of desire, flashed before his eyes. It was accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of their union and the moments he was thrust into so deeply that he almost lost his breath entirely.

The sheer weight of these memories overwhelmed him, forcing Julian to exhale sharply.

“Damn it… that bastard.” Julian muttered under his breath, unable to hold back a curse.

He then recalled the end of the night, the sensation of being forced to acknowledge that toy even though he was utterly exhausted. He remembered the feeling of grievance because the man beside him ignored his emotions. Each detail returned, bringing with it a swift wave of self-pity. Mixed within that was the stinging bitterness of having his pride trampled upon.

In truth, Ethan Caldwell’s perspective was not entirely wrong. Both Ethan and Julian were individuals with exceptionally high self-esteem. Julian Sterling might have been the “trophy spouse” married into the Caldwell family, but he was no useless person. Moreover, Julian was not someone who would willingly allow others to look down on him or humiliate him.

Perhaps if, from the beginning, Ethan had displayed a lack of respect or had not pampered him so much, Julian might have been able to endure it a little more. But during this period, the treatment Julian received was one of absolute equality, even bordering on indulgence and submission.

Ultimately, he had been spoiled to the point of being fragile; he couldn’t stand even a bit of grievance now. He would rather be hurt by his own reckless decisions than suffer a single scolding from Ethan Caldwell, let alone have the man treat him in such a manner.

That hateful bastard!

Julian turned to his side. Ethan’s side of the bed was already empty. The sheets were cold and smooth, indicating that he had been up for a long time.

“Bastard…”

Julian did not know how many times he had cursed the man. Julian’s voice was hoarse, sounding fractured and thin. He sounded like a kitten that had its tail stepped on but was still trying to bare its teeth and claws to appear fierce. Julian Sterling gritted his teeth, attempting to prop himself up with his arms to sit.

However, the moment Julian lifted his body, a sharp pain shot from his waist straight to his brain, causing him to let out an involuntary cry. He immediately collapsed back onto the soft mattress, feeling utterly helpless.

That very sensation of helplessness acted like oil poured onto the fire of Julian’s anger.

Julian Sterling was not a weak man. Having lived nearly thirty years in his previous life, governing a massive corporation, he had been forged into someone who took the initiative, a man who held his head high and looked at the world with a certain level of disdain. Being forced by Ethan Caldwell to the point where he could not resist, being turned into a mere plaything for entertainment, and even being stripped of the control over his own body… these actions were no different from touching Julian’s “reverse scales”, his most sensitive boundaries.

He could choose to be the weaker party in a relationship, but he could not allow this man to toy with him so capriciously.

For the first time in the marriage between Ethan Caldwell and Julian Sterling, a clear and significant problem had emerged.

Right at that moment, the bedroom door creaked open slightly.

A mouth-watering aroma slowly wafted into Julian’s nose. He took a light sniff; it was the scent of minced meat congee. It seemed to have a hint of perilla, green onions, and spicy pepper, making the fragrance pungent and inviting. At that exact moment, Julian’s empty, starving stomach began to roar in protest.

It growled loudly.

Ethan Caldwell stepped inside. In total contrast to Julian Sterling’s pathetic state, where he couldn’t even manage to sit up, Ethan looked as dashing and composed as ever. He wore comfortable ash-grey loungewear made of high-quality silk that draped elegantly over the curves and muscles of his physique. The man’s hair was perfectly groomed, and combined with his bright, handsome face, Ethan appeared more attractive than usual. In his hands, he carried a tray of food that was steaming hot.

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