Chapter 434

Shelmaine managed to drink only half a mug of the spiced pear infusion before she couldn't take another sip. She pushed it aside, curling up on the couch and scrolling through short videos on her phone." "Honey, just finish the rest, okay? There's only half a mug left, and it's good for your throat." Shelmaine frowned slightly. "I can't drink anymore. Forcing me won't help." Samuel didn't dare push further. "Alright, fine, you don't have to." He picked up the mug and drank the rest in one go. But the next second, he leaned in, catching her off guard. Tilting her chin upward, he kissed her. Shelmaine tried to push him away, but he was relentless. He parted her lips, and when she realized what he was doing, her eyes widened in shock. Her hands and legs were pinned down, and she had no choice but to swallow the drink he passed over. Only after achieving his goal did Samuel pull away, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips. "So sweet." "Samuel Hasting!" Shelmaine shouted his name in frustration. She couldn't believe what he had just done. Although they had shared plenty of intimate moments before, this was beyond her tolerance—it felt overly saccharine, even suffocatingly so. "I couldn't help it. I just wanted you to drink a little more," Samuel said with a grin, wiping a drop of drink from the corner of her lips with his thumb. "How's your throat now, honey? Feeling better?" Shelmaine pushed him aside, storming into the kitchen to rinse her mouth with water. The drink had been overly sweet with honey, and the sugary taste lingered, filling her mouth. That night, she refused to let Samuel into the bedroom. Samuel, not one to be deterred, picked the lock. The door clicked open, startling Shelmaine. She instinctively glanced at Tammy, relieved to see the baby still fast asleep, undisturbed. Samuel climbed into bed like it was second nature. Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered with a hint of grievance, "Don't be mad. I can't sleep out there by myself." "I didn't know you could be so clingy." "Well, now you know." Samuel tightened his hold, clinging to her like an octopus. "And I'm only clingy with you." "Samuel, don't wake Tammy." "I won't," he promised, his voice dropping to a deep murmur as his hand brushed against her. "I missed you…" It had been a while since they had been intimate, and Samuel had been trying to respect her recovery period after giving birth. The doctor had advised that her weak physical condition required proper care and a significant healing period. Samuel knew he was largely to blame for her state, both physically and emotionally. That night, Samuel took two cold showers, trying unsuccessfully to cool down. Shelmaine, however, was unfazed. She woke up to feed Tammy during the night, rocked her back to sleep, and went right back to bed. When Samuel tried to cuddle up to her again, she ignored him. After a sleepless night, Samuel looked visibly worn out by morning. At breakfast, Shelmaine suggested, "Maybe we should sleep in separate beds." "No way. What kind of married couple sleeps apart? I won't allow it." "But you're not sleeping well, and neither am I." Samuel put on a pitiful expression. "I promise not to act like I did last night. If you don't want to, I won't push you." Shelmaine sighed and stopped arguing. There was no reasoning with him sometimes. That afternoon, Samuel's phone rang. It was Samson calling again, but Samuel, busy and annoyed, declined the call. Moments later, his phone buzzed incessantly with messages on WhatsApp. "I came all the way, Samuel! Don't make me mad! "I have something urgent to tell you. I'm not joking. You've been gone from Aurich for too long. There's a ton of stuff waiting for you!" Samuel called back. As soon as the call connected, Samson's panicked voice came through. "Boss, you finally picked up! Listen, don't get mad. Just hear me out. Aurora tried to commit suicide. I wouldn't bother you if it weren't serious, but I'm out of options!"