CHAPTER 141: PERSUADING WIFEY
Diana looked up as the door opened, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her husband. "Hey, treasure," she said affectionately as he approached the sofa. Diana shifted to make room for him, and he pulled her into his arms. A pang of worry struck him at the thought of anything bad happening to her.
"Is everything alright?" Diana asked, settling comfortably in his embrace.
James evaded her question, asking instead, "Did you vomit again after I left?"
Diana shook her head. "My stomach was practically empty. There was nothing left to bring up."
"Come on, then. Let's go home. I told Grandma to prepare dinner for you."
Diana beamed and bounced up excitedly, making James smile despite his worries. He took her hands and helped her off the sofa, then assisted her with her shoes before leading her to his private elevator.
Jared, Angelo, and Benjamin were about to head for the general elevators when they saw him emerge. Jared and the others detoured to the private elevator, Jared holding the doors open as James and Diana stepped inside.
"Good evening, Mrs. Alfred," Angelo and Benjamin greeted in unison.
"Good evening, my sweet sister-in-law," Jared began with exaggerated sweetness. "How was your day? I hope it was as amazing as mine."
Diana smirked and rolled her eyes. "Do you have to be so Cheeky, Jared?"
Jared blinked, then burst into laughter, clearly taken aback by her quick retort. Diana gave Benjamin a closer look.
Jared noticed Diana glancing at Benjamin in confusion and explained, "He's the company's lawyer, Benjamin Stone."
"Oh," Diana said, stretching out her hand. "Diana Margaret Alfred." She smiled charmingly.
Benjamin hesitated before taking her hand, until James asked dryly, "Are you going to leave her hanging?"
With a swallow, Benjamin shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."
Diana smiled, then hugged her husband's arm and rested her head on his shoulder. "You really have handsome people working for you."
Benjamin and Angelo both coughed awkwardly, while Jared burst into laughter. James, however, wasn't amused. He turned to her, raising an eyebrow.
"So, do you regret marrying me? Am I not more handsome than them?"
Diana pressed her lips together, sighing softly. That wasn't what she meant, but before she could reply, the elevator doors slid open. James stepped out first, with the rest trailing behind.
Diana was taken aback. Why was he reacting like this?
Jared leaned toward her and whispered, "You should go after him quickly, sister-in-law, and calm him down before his anger escalates."
Diana sighed in exasperation and gave the men a quick wave before chasing after her husband.
She caught up with him just as he was about to get into the car and hugged him from behind. "Come on now, hubby. That's not what I meant."
James glanced at her over his shoulder. "You should get in," he said flatly. "It's late."
Diana frowned, stomping her feet. "I'm not getting in until you let this go."
Before she could say another word, James scooped her up effortlessly and placed her in the car. He climbed in after her, shutting the door firmly.
Diana didn't have time to react before the car started moving—it had all happened so quickly. Closing the dashboard, she leaned into her husband.
"Baby, please, I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice soft as she tried to kiss him.
As tempted as James was, he turned his face away, forcing himself to resist her charms. When Diana realized he wasn't responding, she sighed and began to pull away.
Just as she was about to lean against the car door, James grabbed her waist and pulled her closer.
"I thought you were angry," Diana said, staring at him in surprise.
"Diana, baby," James began, his voice low and earnest. "Leave this place with me. Let's go on the trip together."
Diana immediately shook her head. "I can't, James. You know why. I have a job to do too."
His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched in frustration. He started to turn away, but before he could, Diana leaned in and kissed him.
He was resistant at first, but her persistence eventually made him yield. He deepened the kiss, his initial reluctance giving way to a fierce intensity.
Diana moaned softly, but not in pleasure. This was not the tender kiss she had initiated.
James continued, his grip tightening. He cupped her breast through her dress, pressing roughly while biting down on her lip. All the pent-up emotions he was feeling—anger, frustration, worry, desire—poured into the kiss, transforming it into something almost violent.
Diana groaned as her nipples began to ache from the pressure of his hand. Tears welled in her eyes as he continued to roughly manipulate her breast through her clothes and bite at her lips.
Before she could fully process what was happening, he was tearing at her shirt, exposing her white lace bra.
He pulled the bra down, his hands now on her bare skin. He began with her right breast, squeezing it roughly and pinching her nipple with a force that sent sharp stabs of pain through Diana.
She could no longer suppress the tears; they streamed down her face as she whimpered and pleaded for him to stop.
It was the taste of her salty tears that finally snapped James out of his dark haze. He immediately released her, his eyes widening with horror as he took in the scene. Diana recoiled, clutching her aching breasts and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Cherish… I'm so sorry," James stammered, reaching out to her. But Diana flinched away, refusing his touch. She quickly adjusted her bra and stared at her torn shirt, her body shaking with sobs.
James immediately removed his jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders. Diana clutched it tightly, allowing him to pull her into his arms.
"I'm so sorry, my queen," he murmured, kissing her hair. "I don't know what came over me. I shouldn't have…"
Diana's tears slowed, and the sharp pain in her chest began to ease. She looked up at him, her teary eyes and wounded lip making her look fragile.
"Well, are you still angry?" she asked pitifully, her voice trembling.
"Never," James replied, his tone full of remorse. He leaned down and placed a featherlight kiss on her lips, as though trying to erase the memory of his earlier actions.
But instead of comforting her, the tenderness made Diana feel even more wronged. Her tears welled up again and spilled over, leaving James helplessly coaxing and consoling her for the rest of the ride home.
The weight of his actions—the consequence of taking out his anger on her—hung heavily in the air, leaving both of them in a silence filled with regret.