Butler Thorne has been with Jude Crawford for decades, and he could tell at a glance that his master was unfulfilled as his wife wouldn’t let him touch her. Butler Thorne guessed that this small pack was meant for his wife to consume. This was an extreme action, but typical of something his master would do. However, Butler Thorne hesitantly spoke up, "Sir, your relationship with madam has just improved a bit. If you use this drug, I’m afraid things with madam... Jude Crawford took a melancholy drag from his cigarette before slowly exhaling, "Pour me a glass of water." Butler Thorne turned around to execute the request. But after taking a step, Butler Thorne suddenly stopped in his tracks. He turned back, shocked as he looked at Jude Crawford, "Sir, are you... planning to take it yourself?" Jude Crawford curved his thin lips; tonight he was determined to have her. He couldn’t wait any longer; time was quietly slipping through his fingers; he didn’t want to wait another second. He knew he had become greedy; he wanted to wholly possess her. Butler Thorne handed him a glass of water, and Jude Crawford poured the powder from the small pack into it, drinking it all down. Picking up his car keys, he stood up, heading back to the villa to find her. He wanted to see exactly how ruthless she could be towards him. Isabelle Willow lay tossing and turning on the soft big bed, unable to sleep. She didn’t know where he went or if he’d come back tonight. Just then, she heard a "knock knock knock" at the door as someone was knocking. She opened her eyes, "Who is it?" A deep, magnetic voice sounded. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽 It was Jude Crawford. He had actually come back; she thought he wouldn’t return tonight. Isabelle Willow put on her shoes, got out of bed, went to the door, and opened it. Outside the door stood a tall and straight figure; Jude Crawford’s deep, intense gaze focused on her face. "Why... did you come back?" Isabelle Willow looked at him. Jude Crawford curled his thin lips, "Do you want me not to come back, or did you expect me not to?" Isabelle Willow furrowed her brow, saying nothing. Jude Crawford reached out, his distinctly outlined large hand clasping her slender fair wrist, "Yara, you promised me you’d be my Mrs. Crawford for one month, so even if you don’t love me, you need to act like you love me for this month, do you understand?" So there’s no need to pretend. A trace of tenderness touched the depths of Jude Crawford’s narrow eyes as he placed her soft hand on his cheek. Lowering his handsome eyes, he rubbed his cheek against her palm, seeking affection. So obedient, so soft. Isabelle Willow quickly sensed his abnormality; his body temperature was burning hot, almost scorching her hand. "Jude Crawford, what’s wrong with you? Why is your body so hot?" "Yara, it’s always been me taking a step forward, and you taking a step back between us; this time I’m taking another step forward, don’t step back again, okay?" "Sir, the person is here, in the living room." Butler Thorne approached, softly reporting. Isabelle Willow took a glance downstairs to the living room; there stood a charming figure, Jenny. Jenny stood there radiantly, coyly calling out, "Mr. Crawford, I’m waiting for you here." Why was this person here? "Yara, I feel uncomfortable." Jude Crawford looked at her, his voice hoarse. Isabelle Willow felt like his whole body was burning, "Jude Crawford, what have you done to yourself?" "I drugged myself, Yara, I want you." Isabelle Willow’s clear almond eyes suddenly shrank; he actually drugged himself, had he gone mad? "Jude Crawford, you’ve gone too far this time!" Isabelle Willow forcefully withdrew her hand. Jude Crawford slowly rose, his voice hoarse as he laughed, "Yara, this game has already started; you have to play." Isabelle Willow’s face was cold; this man hadn’t changed at all, he was forcing her, pushing her to a corner with no escape. "If I don’t agree, what will you do, sleep with Jenny downstairs?" Like you did years ago with Zelda Willow? "Yes Yara, our relationship won’t change; I’ll still love you, care for you, spoil you, but I won’t be clean anymore, so Yara, you won’t give up on me, right?" Jude Crawford looked at her with softness; he had walked alongside her for so many years, never abandoning her even in the hardest times, he had only one woman in his life, her. A man at the pinnacle of power faces many temptations, especially various types of women throwing themselves at him, but he never had any thoughts of them. When she cheated with Chase Sullivan, he drowned his sorrows every night, but he didn’t stray. When she leapt into the sea over the years, he didn’t have anyone. He always maintained this boundary, always preserving this possibility between them. Now, he had severed all escape routes with his own hands. The most enduring thing in life is time, he endured the loneliness, remained true to himself, he never lost. Now he’s putting all his stakes on the table, engaging in a grand bet. Winning the world but losing to her is also a kind of conclusion. It’s just that, it’s very unfortunate. She made him suffer a total defeat. Isabelle Willow understood; she understood why, after returning from Alani, she’d come back to him, it was because, despite the regrets, he waited for her at the same place. He spent half a lifetime waiting for her. Isabelle Willow’s eyes were red, and soon her lips curled into a faint indifferent arc as she softly said, "Whatever." She turned around, intending to close the door. But an outlined large hand reached out, pressed against the door, and he hugged her from behind. The man’s strong arms firmly locked her body, gently furrowing his handsome brows, lowering his head to kiss her hair, almost devoutly, "Yara, do you still plan... to leave me this time?" Isabelle Willow’s eyes were moist, ready to spill tears at any moment. She slowly reached out to pry his big hand. "No..." Jude Crawford was unwilling to let go. Isabelle Willow pried his fingers apart one by one, slowly yet steadily pushing him away. With a "bang," the room door closed. She had closed the door. Leaving him alone there. She almost said, go sleep with that Jenny. The two big hands at his sides tightened into fists, Jude Crawford stood frozen outside the door, one second, two seconds, three seconds... he slowly raised his hand to knock on the door. "Knock knock," he knocked with certainty and rhythm. "Yara, if you won’t open the door, it’s okay, we’ll continue like before, I’ll knock until the door is opened, alright?" Inside, Isabelle Willow heard the persistent knocking as she laid her head on the edge of the bed, curled her knees, and sat on the carpet hugging her legs.