Goodbye Saintess (by Edelweiss W.S.) novel Chapter 44

Five minutes later, Rhea looked completely relaxed, as if enjoying five–star comfort. She was silent, breathing steady.

I was sure she had fallen asleep. At the very least, she no longer seemed to be suffering.

I reached for the cover, ready to tuck her in.

Originally, I planned to leave once she was asleep, but Baron’s behavior made me change my mind. There was no way I could leave her here alone. As such, I would be sleeping on the couch this time.

I rose from the bed, but a sudden weight pulled me back down.

It was Rhea. I collapsed onto the mattress as she flipped over, pressing me beneath her and showering my face with kisses. Her hands began roaming over my chest.

“R–Rhea! Stop! W–What’s gotten into you?” I cried.

I tried to push her away, but she held me so tightly my arms were pinned to my sides. I couldn’t move.

“Nothing’s gotten into me, Sebastian. I’m sane. That’s why I’m doing this. I’ve met all kinds of men. They either lusted after me or my family’s wealth. I thought good men didn’t exist,” she said, grinding her cheek against me.

She continued, “But you changed my mind. There are still good men in this world. It’s up to me to hold onto one and never let him go. I already knew you wouldn’t agree to be my boyfriend. We drank together, so we’re even now. It’s done.

“But I don’t want to regret never making my move. I’ve thought about this hard. I know I’m destined to marry a man I don’t love, but why should I give the one thing I cherish most to him?

“No, I want to give it to a man who deserves me, even if we can never be together. I want it to be tied to one of my best memories… I want it to be tied to you. I promise, Sebastian, I won’t bother you again after this.”

She sounded resigned–she had accepted her fate. But why should that justify sharing her first time with me? It was unacceptable. She was young and innocent, while I was a man on the brink of divorce. I couldn’t accept her offer.

“Rhea, please. I’m still married.” I sighed, trying to push her away.

She resisted. “No. Your wife came to your station to divorce you, right? I saw the papers in her bag. Don’t you get it? You’re going to be free soon. What are you afraid of?”

“It’s not just about me, is it? It’s about you too. You’re still so young. Don’t make a rash decision.”

No wonder she offered to buy me drinks and listen. She already knew.

Rhea opened her eyes. “It’s not a sudden choice, Sebastian. I’ve thought about it a long time. I wasn’t drunk. I know what you’ve done for me. You’re a good, kind man.

“While you were gone, my parents called. They told me I’m engaged to some jerk named Baron Goldwater, CEO of Baron Inc. I looked him up. He’s one of the worst men they could have picked for me–girthy, womanizing, misogynistic, and about as old as my dad! Why must I marry someone like that and let him humiliate me?”

She sobbed, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I know this hotel belongs to Baron Inc. That’s why so many people and footsteps were outside, right? He was coming for me!

“But you? You saved my life the first time we met. You saved it again today. You’re the first man who’s ever been truly kind to me. So please… can you let me have this one thing? Let me salvage whatever dignity I can.”

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