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Chapter 141: Chapter 141: If Only You Were Human

Lynn went to the bathroom for a bath. Alone in the quiet, she finally had a chance to properly consider what Esther Abbott had just said.

Between the lines, her words all pointed to a single conclusion.

Esther Abbott didn’t just know she’d been reborn; she also knew why the "plot" had gone off script.

As for why Esther had sought her out today... Lynn’s eyes narrowed. She rose from the tub, rinsed off the suds, and wrapped herself in a bathrobe. Stepping out of the bathroom, her gaze fell on Ian Sterling, who was sitting by the French doors playing a game. ’Whatever Esther Abbott’s goal is,’ Lynn thought, ’if she tries to hurt us, I won’t let her get away with it.’

Sensing her gaze, Ian Sterling looked up. Lynn walked over and crouched beside him, resting her head on his knee. "You’re the best," she said softly.

Three years ago, she had been the one to break up with him. Regardless of her true intentions back then, it had hurt him so deeply.

And yet, he was still willing to be with her.

For that reason alone, Lynn would never leave Ian Sterling again in this lifetime.

Ian Sterling leaned over and pulled her up, settling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her. "Are you only just now realizing I’m the best?" he murmured.

Lynn shook her head and buried her face in his chest, hugging him tightly. The fresh, clean scent of her bath clung to him.

"Are you hungry? I had your favorite dishes sent over. They should be here soon."

"A little," Lynn murmured, her eyes closed as she rested in his arms. She’d had a quick bite before heading to the event, but she’d thrown it all up after drinking. Now, her stomach felt uncomfortably empty.

Ian Sterling knew it. She had a habit of not eating properly at mealtimes, only to complain about being hungry later.

After holding her for a little while longer, Ian coaxed her softly, "Baby, do you want to come downstairs with me, or do you want to rest here until the food arrives?"

Right now, all Lynn wanted was to cling to him. She hugged him tight, a silent request for him to carry her downstairs.

When Ian Sterling came in with the food and set it on the low coffee table in the living room, Lynn sat on the rug to eat. She watched him as he crouched a short distance away, feeding their two cats.

He was so good to them. Ever since Ian had been back in her life, Lynn barely had to worry about a thing. It wasn’t just the cats’ daily needs; Ian now took care of everything for her, from her meals and clothes to her living arrangements.

"What are you looking at?" Ian had turned to check if she was eating properly, only to find her staring at him.

Lynn shook her head, dropping her gaze and focusing on her food.

Ian washed his hands and came over, sitting cross-legged in front of the low table just like her. It was an awkward fit for his nearly one-point-nine-meter frame, and he looked rather cramped.

Seeing how uncomfortable he looked, Lynn suggested, "Why don’t we eat in the dining room?"

"It’s fine." Ian placed a pork rib in her bowl. "Eat more meat," he urged. "You eat like a bird every day. No wonder you never gain any weight."

Lynn pouted, but with a soft "Oh," she obediently picked up the rib Ian had placed in her bowl and began to nibble on it.

"Why so well-behaved all of a sudden?" Ian asked, a little surprised.

"Is there something wrong with being well-behaved?"

’Good? Of course it’s good. It’s a thousand times better than when she was always snapping at me and acting like she couldn’t stand me.’

After dinner, worried that Kiki and Humph would jump on the table and walk all over the dishes, Ian cleared them away into the kitchen. He even shut the door, afraid the two troublemakers would get in and wreak havoc.

Lynn stood off to the side, waiting for him. Once he was done, they went upstairs together.

"Should we ask Mrs. Sterling to come over tomorrow afternoon? Or should we have your butler come?"

After all, they had several people coming over tomorrow, and every one of them was a pampered young master or miss who had likely never lifted a finger in their life. They wouldn’t know the first thing about grilling.

Lynn didn’t really want to ask Mrs. Sterling. She was sure Mrs. Sterling had already been in contact with her parents, and she was afraid she’d act as a messenger and report back to them.

Ian understood. "We’ll have my butler come, then. He’s more familiar with this place anyway."

Lynn agreed. Back in their room, she decided she wanted another quick shower, feeling like the smell of food was lingering on her. But as she headed for the bathroom, Ian pulled her in with him.

As the bathroom temperature began to rise, Lynn leaned back against the smooth tiles and frowned. "It’s cold."

Ian grabbed a bath towel and spread it over the vanity. Then he lifted Lynn and set her down on it.

"Still cold?"

It was a seemingly thoughtful gesture, but his actions never paused. Lynn’s cheeks were flushed, and her watery eyes glared at him. It didn’t earn her any pity; on the contrary, it only seemed to egg him on.

The bathroom light was stark white, making her pale skin gleam.

Lynn kicked her legs, pushing at him. Her voice was thick with unshed tears. "You’re taking this too far."

The corners of Ian’s lips were glistening. His voice was a low, husky chuckle as he asked, "How am I taking it too far?"

Lynn couldn’t bring herself to say it; she wasn’t as shameless as him. And though Ian understood perfectly well, the intensity of his actions didn’t lessen in the slightest.

By the time they got back to the bedroom, Lynn was completely disoriented. She lay dazed beneath the covers, her hazy gaze fixed on the window.

Ian held her close from behind. "Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Lynn shook her head as her thoughts slowly started to clear. She put her hand on Ian’s wrist and, with what little strength she had left, gave it a vicious twist.

"HISS... Abusing me right after you’re done using me? You’re heartless."

"You deserve it," Lynn said, her words clipped. "If you had behaved like a decent human being for even a second, I wouldn’t have done that."

Ian let out a muffled chuckle and coaxed her, "Go to sleep, baby."

Lynn released his wrist and had just closed her eyes when she suddenly remembered something. She struggled to turn over and confront him. "You didn’t wear one just now, did you?"

"..." Ian was speechless. Lynn exhaled sharply, then grabbed his face with both hands and started rubbing it vigorously.

"You jerk! You absolute idiot!"

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Baby, I forgot."

Lynn shoved him away. "Go buy me the pill," she said, her voice like ice.

Ian nodded, stunned. He got up and headed out. Luckily, there was a 24-hour pharmacy nearby; otherwise, he really wouldn’t know how he could possibly face Lynn.

He watched as Lynn swallowed the pill with a glass of water. Kneeling on one knee beside the bed, he took the glass from her and said gingerly, "I know I messed up. Please don’t be angry. I promise it won’t happen again."

Lynn shot him a sideways glare before lying back down. When Ian tried to move closer, she stuck her arm out to block him.

"Go away. Stay away from me."

Ian blinked, looking pitiful, but Lynn simply turned her back to him.

’He has the nerve to look pitiful? Whose fault is this?!’

Lynn was still giving Ian the cold shoulder when they woke up the next morning.

As they sat at the dining table for a late breakfast, Ian was relentlessly attentive, pouring her milk and trying to wipe her mouth.

Lynn just stared at him coldly. Ian’s hand froze in midair. "I’ll be careful next time, I promise," he pleaded, looking utterly dejected. "Please forgive me. I really did forget last night."

"Is that so?" Lynn narrowed her eyes. Ian raised a hand as if to take an oath. "I swear, I really just forgot! I know you don’t want kids right now, why would I ever do something like that on purpose?"

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