Imprinted with the Obsessive Male Lead - Chapter 34

“So even though you had the ability, you were abused from a young age, used, then cast aside and practically driven out of your family, and on top of that, a damn stalker.”

His tone was like someone summarizing a story after reading it. Even without him putting it like that, I already knew.

I stopped fiddling with the cake using my fork and lifted my gaze. In the meantime, Chase’s head had slowly returned to its original position.

“That’s one hell of a tiring life.”

He let out a sigh that seemed to carry many meanings and ran a hand through his hair. His narrowed eyes were staring straight through me.

I set the fork down, got up from my seat, and placed the cake on the bedside table. Then I walked over to Chase. His head tilted slightly, his clear blue eyes dryly fixed on me.

I grabbed the sleeve of my right arm, the one Chase had lifted before, and pulled it up myself, thrusting it toward him.

“Look. See this? The wounds are all gone.”

But Chase didn’t even glance at my arm. Instead, he pulled one corner of his lips up as if he didn’t quite agree.

“So what, do you want me to congratulate you or something?”

As if uninterested, he turned his head and shifted his gaze to the cake. The veins along his neck stood out beneath the collar of his shirt.

“At least look before you say that. I’m going this far, can’t you at least take a look?”

“I don’t really want to.”

Of course not. It’s not like you’ve ever wanted to look at me anyway.

I lowered the hand that had been holding my sleeve and looked at the cake on the table. The distance between the sofa and the table wasn’t far. I wanted to force my way in and show him, but it would be a problem if the cake the villagers made for me ended up falling. After a moment of hesitation, I provoked him.

“Chase.”

He had been staring lazily at the raspberries, but his brows furrowed. The moment he turned his head toward me, I swiftly lifted my skirt.

As my bare skin was revealed above my knees, Chase’s gaze naturally dropped to my calves. He quickly pulled his gaze away from my legs and looked back at my eyes.

His expression said it was absurd.

As if he had a headache, Chase squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his forehead.

“Are you crazy? Pull your clothes down.”

It’s not like I showed him my whole body, so why react like that? It’s not like I pulled it up to my thighs, I just showed a bit of my calves below the knees.

“Then look properly. Don’t push me away just because I’m weak.”

Because of the earlier conversation, I had been thinking of Michael again, and I was growing more desperate. I didn’t want to back down like this.

“Pull your clothes down while I’m asking nicely.”

The low command came again.
I shook my head.

“No.”

Frowning deeply, Chase reached out his arm and, while meeting my eyes, yanked my skirt down, covering my legs.

“Don’t ever do that again. This is a warning.”

His tone was cold enough to make my hair stand on end, but I kept speaking.

“I can endure well. I’ll do whatever you tell me to.”

“Who knows.”

An ambiguous answer that was neither here nor there. But it felt better than him outright telling me to go back. How much more did I have to prove that I was fine? As I thought about it, I suddenly held out my right hand. Chase’s brows furrowed as if he didn’t understand what I meant.

I deliberately spread all five fingers wide. Then I stepped closer to him. My leg brushed lightly against his knee before pulling away.

“Hold my hand.”

He looked at me as if I were ridiculous, but I smiled brightly. Actually, I knew. Ever since my wrist had been broken, Chase had been noticeably careful, easing his strength whenever he touched me.

Of course, even that “eased strength” was still much stronger than that of an ordinary person, so the standard was a bit high, but it was still worth testing. He’d probably use just enough force so it wouldn’t break, so if I just endured it without pretending it hurt, it would be fine.

“It won’t break even if you hold it, so try it. Really.”

When I spoke with confidence, Chase slowly moved and adjusted his posture.

Resting his elbow on his thigh and leaning forward, he lowered his head for a moment as if thinking, then after a while, he looked up at me.