Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 246

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 246: Pretending to Be Sick**

Before long, Marcus returned, accompanied by Malrik, whose face bore the marks of a recent scuffle—bruises mottled his skin like a tragic canvas.

Emma, sprawled on her bed, felt a wave of weakness wash over her, a heartache that seemed to seep into her very bones as she gazed at the battered Malrik. “Cotton Candy, why on earth are you hurt again?” she asked, her voice a fragile whisper, laced with concern.

After her words hung in the air, she turned her gaze sharply toward Marcus, pretending to shoot him a fierce glare. “Marcus, did you hit Cotton Candy again? I’ve told you countless times not to lay a finger on him. You know I’ll feel awful if you do!”

Marcus feigned innocence, his expression wide-eyed and sincere. “I swear, it wasn’t me! He got all emotional and decided to take a swing at me first,” he defended himself, his tone light, but Emma could sense an undercurrent of mischief.

Squeak!

Malrik nudged Emma’s palm with his head, his soft fur brushing against her skin. The pain from Marcus’s earlier blows faded into the background; all that mattered now was Emma’s well-being. As long as Marcus allowed him to be near her, he was willing to endure any amount of punishment.

“Cotton Candy, does it hurt?” Emma asked softly, her heart aching for him.

In a swift motion, she retrieved two leaves from Silas and offered them to him. “Here, eat these. They’ll help ease your pain,” she encouraged, her voice imbued with a warmth that she hoped would comfort him.

She knew she had to earn his trust. Only then could she coax the truth from him when she later pretended to be on the brink of death.

Malrik’s gaze shifted to Emma, and he was struck by her pallor; her face was devoid of color, a ghostly reflection of her usual vibrant self. A wave of anguish surged through him, squeezing his chest until it felt as though he were drowning in despair.

Squeak!

Ms. Tibarn, how did you suddenly fall so ill?

Malrik never once contemplated that Emma might be feigning her sickness. To him, she was simply a kind-hearted human, and there was no reason for her to pretend to be unwell just to deceive a rabbit.

“Cotton Candy, what’s the matter?” Emma asked, noticing his unwavering gaze, his body frozen in place. She offered him a gentle smile, one full of encouragement. “Come on, eat these. You’ll feel better afterward,” she urged, holding the leaves closer to his mouth.

Malrik’s eyes darted back to the leaves, and in that moment, he yearned to hold Emma as Marcus did—warmly, protectively, with tenderness.

But the thought was fleeting, quickly buried beneath layers of fear. He couldn’t allow himself to entertain such notions. What would Emma think if she discovered that beneath his innocent exterior lay a creature who shared the same visage as the cruel and cunning Merlin?

Would she believe it was all a ruse?

Would her gentle eyes fill with disappointment, anger, or even hatred?

Especially now, when she was so frail and vulnerable.

“Ms. Tibarn, you really should rest now,” Marcus interjected, noticing the time slipping away. He gently scooped up Malrik, his tone softening as he addressed Emma. “The doctor advised that you need to take it easy and avoid unnecessary strain.”

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