Chapter 626

The night was thick as ink.

The hot spring water steamed with wisps of white mist. Moonlight, like scattered silver, danced on the rippling surface.

Vivian Bennett leaned against the edge of the pool, gazing up at the starry sky.

The sky was ablaze with brilliant stars. The Milky Way stretched across the heavens, breathtakingly beautiful.

Yet, the more beautiful the sight, the more it seemed to tighten a knot in her chest.

An indescribable depression churned within her, with nowhere to vent, threatening to drown her.

She didn't know why she was crying.

But tears slid down uncontrollably, disappearing into the warm water.

"Why didn't you let her stay and give you a massage?" A low male voice sounded behind her.

A pair of dry, warm hands settled on her bare shoulders, kneading with just the right pressure.

"She's a professional masseuse. She could help relieve your fatigue."

Vivian's body stiffened slightly.

Normally, she would have immediately shaken off his hands and snapped at him.

But tonight, she was too tired.

Too exhausted to even muster the energy to attack him.

"I like being alone," she said, her voice hoarse and thick with congestion. "It's fine. It's quiet."

Liam Sullivan's hands stilled.

He leaned down slightly, studying her profile in the moonlight.

Tiny droplets clung to her damp lashes. Her cheeks were flushed with an unusual redness.

"You..." His voice softened unconsciously. "Are you crying?"

Today, she had been the one tormenting him.

He should be the one feeling aggrieved.

Yet here she was, hiding and shedding tears in secret.

A complex mix of emotions surged in Liam's heart—surprise, confusion, and a trace of inexplicable heartache.

"No," Vivian turned her face away, wiping her eyes roughly with her hand.

She didn't want him to see her in such a wretched state.

Taking a deep breath, she submerged her entire body into the hot spring.

The water closed over her head. Warm currents enveloped her.

But her low spirits affected her breathing. She had barely sunk down when she choked on water twice. Darkness swam before her eyes, and she fainted.

"Vivian!"

Liam's expression changed drastically. He swiftly pulled her out of the water.

Vivian lay limp in his arms, eyes closed, breathing faint.

Liam checked her breathing, felt her pulse. Confirming she had only fainted from choking on water and was not in serious danger, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

Only then did he realize—

The Vivian in his arms was completely naked.

The hot spring water had made her already fair skin even more delicate, tinged with a faint pink hue.

Moonlight bathed her body, giving her a lustrous glow like fine mutton-fat jade. Every curve was breathtakingly beautiful.

Liam's Adam's apple bobbed.

Blood rushed instantly to a certain part of his body. A reaction stirred beyond his control.

He forced himself to look away. Flustered, he grabbed the large towel by the poolside, wrapped her up securely, lifted her in a bridal carry, and strode quickly toward the bedroom.

This bedroom was the largest and most luxurious on the entire island.

Liam had specifically instructed it to be decorated, filled with a festive atmosphere everywhere.

Red silk bedding covered the large bed. Delicate golden double happiness characters adorned the walls and cabinets. Tall red candles burned in candlesticks. The table was laden with various fruits and traditional pastries.

He gently laid Vivian on the bed.

A corner of the towel slipped open, revealing her flushed face.

Her skin, soaked in the hot spring, was as smooth and delicate as porcelain, seemingly fragile. Like a ripe peach, tempting one to take a bite.

Liam swallowed hard, a dark fire igniting in his eyes.

Tonight was their first night after the wedding.

Even though the day had been unpleasant, how could he waste such a perfect moment?

Besides, as the old saying goes, couples fight at the head of the bed but make up at the foot.

Perhaps... physical intimacy could actually ease the tension between them?

It had been a long time since they had been intimate.

This kind of skin-to-skin contact was, after all, the best way to deepen feelings.

Maybe it could make her less cold toward him.

The more Liam thought about it, the more feasible this idea seemed.

Of course, he wasn't stupid.

There were two possible outcomes: one, they would reconcile; two, Vivian would become even angrier.

But even risking the latter, he had to try.

Because he knew all too well—

Although Vivian had married him, the thought of leaving had never truly left her mind.

All these days, she had been provoking him at every turn,无非是想激怒他,无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非是想激怒他无非