Chapter 124: A Night of Love and Hate

The night was deep, and a gentle breeze swept across the balcony, lifting a strand of Livia's slightly curled hair. She tilted her head slightly, gazing at Adrian with an unreadable smile in her eyes.

"I know you want to investigate the truth," Livia said softly, yet her tone carried an undeniable firmness. "But for now, no one except me can tell you."

Adrian was momentarily stunned, his brows knitting together. "Why? Last time, you told me to wait, and now again—"

Livia shook her head gently, her voice calm yet laced with deeper meaning. "It's not just the same reason as before. There's more to it… But it's not the right time yet. When the day comes, I will tell you."

Adrian studied her, as if trying to decipher something from her expression. But Livia remained composed, as though everything was under her control.

After a brief silence, Adrian finally sighed and nodded. "Alright, I'll trust you."

Livia let out a light laugh, her gaze sweeping over him. "You won't regret this decision. Trust your sister."

She knew that Adrian and Elise were now her most loyal allies. It was time to reveal some truths—but not yet. The timing wasn't right. Some things had to be shown firsthand for them to truly believe.

Smoothing out her sleeves, Livia regained her usual composed demeanor. "Let's go back."

Adrian nodded slightly, adjusting his expression before walking with her back into the main hall.

The grand hall remained brightly lit, filled with laughter and chatter, as if their conversation had never taken place.

Livia picked up a glass of wine, taking a small sip as she smiled and joined in the conversation. Adrian, on the other hand, returned to Elise's side, gently holding her hand with a gaze as tender as water.

Everyone was immersed in this rare moment of celebration, unaware that a single conversation had already planted an undeniable seed of change.

The night deepened, and the castle was enveloped in a quiet darkness, with only the flickering flames of the fireplace casting a dim glow.

Livia stood silently in front of Marcellus's bedroom door and raised her hand to knock.

The moment the door opened, their eyes met—no words were needed.

Livia stepped inside, and his familiar scent surrounded her instantly. She knew what was about to happen, and so did Marcellus.

There was no need for pretense. The fire between them had burned for too long. Once ignited, it would consume everything in its path.

She reached for his shoulders, and in the next second, she was lifted and thrown onto the soft bed.

The air in the room grew scorching hot. Heavy breaths intertwined as the night swallowed them whole. Again and again, they took from each other, sinking into an unrelenting spiral of passion and desire.

The night was endless, a storm neither of them could stop—an indulgence where reason completely unraveled.

When everything finally settled into silence, Livia lay quietly in his arms, feeling the rhythmic beat of his heart.

She slowly sat up, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. Wrapping a robe around herself, she walked toward the door.

Marcellus leaned against the headboard, his deep gaze fixed on her. "Leaving again?"

Livia turned back to look at him, her expression complicated yet calm as always. "Consider it my way of thanking you."

With those words, she hesitated no longer. She opened the door and stepped out.

—

Back in her own bedroom, Livia stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the pitch-black night sky, her emotions in turmoil.

Her fingers curled slightly, her nails digging into her palm.

"I told myself this would be the last time…"

"I should've been clear-headed enough by now…"

Yet every time, she found herself unable to resist. Again and again, she fell—drowning in his embrace.

She hated her own weakness. Her rational mind screamed that there should be no more entanglements, yet her body betrayed her before her heart could even make a decision.

She knew this was supposed to be a strategy, a bargaining chip, a price she paid to achieve her goal.

But only she knew the truth—

She didn't regret it.

What she didn't know was what she was truly hoping for.

The night stretched on, and the warmth lingering in the room had yet to fade.

Marcellus lay in bed, staring at the ceiling in the darkness.

The sheets still carried Livia's warmth. She had just left, yet the faint scent of her still lingered in the air, though her presence was already gone beyond the door.

He let out a bitter chuckle, pressing his fingers against his brow as an indescribable mix of emotions swelled in his heart.

As a man, sharing such intimacy with the woman he loved was an undeniable pleasure. He would never deny his greed for her—the way he craved her touch, her kisses, every inch of her warmth.

But now, he could no longer define their relationship, nor could he fully understand his own emotions.

What was Livia thinking?

Did she truly see this as nothing more than a transaction? Or, like him, did every moment of surrender reveal the truth of her heart?

He didn't know.

But he could sense that her feelings for him were far from simple.

It was a tangled web of love and hate, like strong wine—intoxicating yet poisonous.

When she was in his arms, she was never emotionless. Though she tried to convince herself that this was just a calculated move, her gentleness in their kisses, the way she melted into his embrace—those fleeting emotions, no matter how she tried to suppress them, could never deceive him.

And that was enough.

At least, it was far better than her feeling nothing for him at all.

He could accept her hatred. He could even accept her resentment.

But what he could never accept—was her indifference.

Still, how long could this fragile balance last?

He didn't want Livia to stay by his side in such a twisted way. Yet if he let her go now, how could he be sure she wouldn't disappear from his life forever?

His thoughts were in chaos.

With a quiet sigh, Marcellus slowly closed his eyes.

He knew one thing for certain—if he wanted to set things right, he had to reach his ultimate goal.

Only when that day arrived could they stand side by side, free from the shadows of manipulation and deceit.

—And he only hoped that day wasn't too far away.