Ch. 1421..1430
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1421
I Do What I Want
Staring blankly at Ichika who stood up from the water in all her naked glory, Solomon couldn’t control where his eyes were looking.
Instinctively, his gaze shifted to where it shouldn’t.
Suddenly, the entire hot spring seemed to fall silent. All he could feel was the rush of his blood and the raging desire from within him.
After that, Solomon couldn’t remember what happened.
By the time he regained his senses, Ichika was sprawled on top of him. She was hugging him so tightly that he could barely move her.
The next moment, she began to force her luscious lips on his.
Solomon froze before passion consumed both of them.
Meanwhile, outside Rejuvenation Spring, Sasha had brought the cleaner to a different area.
“All right. Please clean this place up, as we will come over here later.” With that, she took off her jeweled earrings and handed them to the cleaner.
Since her clothes and bag were left outside, she had no choice but to use what she had on her.
The cleaner’s eyes widened in disbelief.
After Sasha and Lance had left, he started cleaning the place diligently.
As for Sasha, she began walking around the hot springs before picking up an unnamed herb and some minerals. After that, she mixed it into the source of the springs.
After more than ten minutes, Himari, who was still waiting anxiously for the news outside Rejuvenation Spring, saw a beautiful lady with a vibrant smile approach her.
“Ms. Minamoto, I finally found you. Come, I found a wonderful pool. Let’s go soak in it together.”
“But…”
Himari wanted to decline.
However, her attempt was futile, as Sasha had dragged her to the earlier hot spring and pushed her in.
“Mrs. Hayes, where are you going?”
“Oh, I’m going to get my sister-in-law and my daughter. You should head in first, and I’ll be right back.”
Sasha beamed from the outside.
Having no other choice, Himari entered alone.
Finally, she noticed a heavy mist surrounding the pool. In fact, the mist was even more intense than the one she created. The moment she stepped in, she felt her knees buckle.
“What’s going on? Mrs. Hayes… Mrs. Hayes?”
Stumbling around, she turned and wanted to leave.
However, she realized that the door had been closed and locked from the outside, repeating what had happened at Rejuvenation Spring.
“That b*tch!”
When she finally realized she was tricked, she banged on the door furiously as rage began to overwhelm her.
“Open the door, Sasha! Open the door! What are you trying to do? Do you know that you’re in the Minamoto family’s territory? Do you have a death wish?”
Hehe! How dare she ask if I have a death wish?
By then, Sasha was already enjoying herself in an open-air hot spring. When she heard the faint voice, she picked up her phone and made a call.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Nogita, I’m sorry, but I just saw your wife entering a hot spring with an unknown man. Considering we’re related, I feel obliged to inform you.”
“Is that true?”
Itachi was outraged when he received the call.
Evidently, of all the people to mess with, one should never mess with the Hayeses. Regardless of their men or women, all of them were extremely terrifying. After all, anyone who survived the catastrophe they had been through should never be trifled with.
Soaking in the hot spring, Sasha leisurely enjoyed the show that unfolded before her.
Nevertheless, there was still something which she was dissatisfied about. She found Himari’s screams too loud, as if she was a squealing pig waiting to be slaughtered. In fact, it was so noisy that she felt bothered by it.
At the same time, she wondered how things were progressing back at Rejuvenation Spring.
Obviously, she would not be able to hear the water splash no matter how loud the sound could be.
When Itachi arrived at the scene fuming, the action inside the hot spring was still going on. Hence, he kicked the door open and was greeted by the sight of his wife whose hair was disheveled. She was being humped upon by a fat middle-aged man beside the hot spring.
“What are you doing? Stop being a bad example.”
Out of nowhere, Sebastian appeared beside Sasha.
His expression turned grim the moment he saw the disgusting scene. He then quickly covered Sasha’s eyes with his hand.
We have just been separated briefly, and she has already gotten her hands dirty. It’s one thing setting a trap, but why does she need to personally appreciate her work?
“Erm…”
After being criticized, Sasha blushed and turned away. She then buried her head into Sebastian’s chest.
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1422
The Intimidating Woman
By the time everything settled down, it was already one hour later.
Himari, who could barely stand, was dragged out by her husband in front of everyone.
Obviously, it was humiliating for her. Everyone had seen how she had disgraced herself. Considering she was the eldest daughter of the Minamoto family, she felt like killing herself at that moment.
As for the Hayeses, they sat and watch until two other figures arrived.
“Oh? Aunt Ichika and Uncle Solomon are out. Aunt Ichika, why is your face flushing red?”
When Vivian saw both of them, she hurried over innocently.
Stumped, Ichika looked up to see everyone sitting in front of her. After experiencing a life-changing event, she couldn’t help but blush scarlet. The redness on her face intensified further.
As for Solomon, he just stood there awkwardly while Vivian was rendered speechless by their reaction.
Instead, it was Sasha who waved at them frantically the moment she saw them.
“Solomon, Ichika, come over here quickly. Something has happened. You have to help resolve it.”
What happened?
The naive Ichika ran over the moment she heard Sasha.
When she arrived, she saw her sister sitting on the ground looking disheveled. Beside her was Itachi who wasn’t invited. At that moment, he was glaring at her angrily.
“What’s going on? Himari, Itachi, what happened?”
“It’s all your fault, Ichika! You are the reason why all this is happening to me!” Himari screamed hysterically all of a sudden.
Looking up from the ground, she stared daggers at Ichika, as if she was going to tear her apart and grind her into mincemeat.
Ichika was stunned.
At that exact moment, one of the ladies stepped forward. When she saw how unrepentant Himari was, she raised her feet and stomped it at Himari’s face.
“Argh!”
“Don’t you know any shame? How can you still blame others? I guess you deserve a beating before you learn your lesson!”
The lady was none other than Sabrina.
As for Devin, his eyes twitched at the sight.
Just like the other men, all they did was watch and not interfere.
When Himari collapsed onto the ground vomiting blood, Ichika, in spite of her naivety, finally noticed that something was amiss.
That’s right. I was feeling out of sorts at Rejuvenation Spring. That was why I shamelessly threw myself at Solomon just now. Luckily, it turned out to be him. It would have been a disaster if it were someone else.
All of a sudden, she had figured it out.
Widening her eyes, she questioned, “What did you do?”
“Hehe… What did I do? Ichika, why would I need to tell you that?”
When Himari saw that it was Ichika, she began to behave in an arrogant manner despite being on the ground.
Is she taking advantage of Ichika’s good nature?
Infuriated by what she saw, Sabrina wanted to raise her hand at Himari again.
However, to everyone’s shock, it was the innocuous Ichika who reached out and grabbed Himari by the throat.
“Are you going to tell me or not?”
Every word of hers was as sharp as a razor blade, causing a deafening silence to descend upon the scene.
Everyone gaped at what had just happened. Even the usually calm Sebastian was slightly taken by surprise.
It’s a surprise to see she’s no pushover at all.
However, that was just the beginning. When Himari didn’t comply, Ichika’s pupils constricted as she stomped on her sister’s knee.
Crack!
“Argh!”
The moment her knee fractured, Himari let out an agonizing cry.
By then, even Devin was jolted by what just happened.
As a soldier, he knew that breaking someone’s knee with just a kick wasn’t an easy attack to master.
“If you don’t want to confess, fine. I can pretend that it didn’t happen. However, from now on, I won’t allow you to show your face in front of everyone as a Minamoto because you are not worthy!” Ichika declared with her eyes filled with rage.
In a blink of an eye, Himari’s other leg and her arms were broken by Ichika’s vicious attacks. Everyone present was dumbfounded by Ichika’s ruthlessness.
In fact, they even felt a chill down their spine.
That was the most frightening scene they encountered after their previous calamity.
Everyone had now seen for themselves that hidden beneath the innocent and demure exterior of hers was a fearsome and ruthless character.
“Evidently, Giichi has a good eye.”
“Huh? Why?”
Still shaken by what they saw, the crowd turned to Sebastian after hearing his comment.
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1423
What A Fearsome Girl
Sasha was one of them.
Does he know something we don’t?
Contrary to their expectations, Sebastian explained, “Isn’t it obvious? Only the one who is trained by the warriors of the royal family possesses such skills.”
“The warriors of the royal family? Doesn’t that mean Ichika is the chosen heir of the Minamoto family? My God! How could I have been so blind as to not realize her distinguished position!”
Being a knowledgeable person, Rufus widened his eyes when he heard Sebastian’s words.
It went without saying that everyone else was equally shocked.
No one had expected a clueless girl like Ichika, who never had an agenda, to be the heir to a noble family.
It was simply unbelievable to them.
The Hayeses aside, the paralyzed Himari couldn’t accept the fact too.
“What… What gives you the right to represent the Minamoto family? H-How are you qualified to punish me?”
“Simply based on the fact that I’m the future head of the Minamoto family. Himari, all this while, I’m aware that you are unsatisfied with Dad’s decision to choose me as the heir. However, when I married Mr. Akiyama, I gave up the position and convinced Dad to choose you as my replacement. But in the end, what did you do? Hmm?” Ichika tore into Himari as she pointed her finger angrily at her.
Himari was stunned.
S-She gave up her title as heir? No, that’s impossible. How could she be so stupid as to give such a noble position up? No, she must be lying to me.
Himari refused to believe her. “You’re lying!”
“Why would I lie to you? Ever since I was young, my goal was for our family to be happy. Instead, you wreaked havoc upon the family for the sake of the title. So what if I gave up my position to you? Himari, a capable person doesn’t prove themselves by their position. As long as we have a sense of duty and honor, our family would still be proud of us. Just look at our grandma, Judith. Even though she has left the country and started another family, the entire Minamoto family still respects and admires her greatly.”
Ichika’s final sentence was so inspirational that Sasha couldn’t help but feel humbled by it.
She suddenly realized that the one who carried Judith’s legacy was Ichika and not her. It was obvious she wasn’t worthy of doing so yet.
At that moment, Ichika exuded an air of authoritativeness.
Everyone couldn’t help but feel in awe of her. As for Himari, her spirit was finally broken as she collapsed onto the ground with her face pale as a sheet.
She was no longer able to get up.
And that was how things were.
Evidently, Sebastian was right. Between Giichi’s two daughters, it made sense for him to choose Ichika as the heir.
Whether one was suited for the position or not was obvious from their character.
In the end, Himari was dragged away from the scene. As for Ichika, after watching her sister being taken away, she shot a glance at the defiant Itachi. Biting her lip, Ichika turned toward Solomon and ran up to him.
“Darling… Can I borrow some money? I would like to get rid of him.”
In a split second, her usual clueless self returned. In fact, she looked like a cowardly rabbit.
Everyone was flabbergasted by the sudden change.
As for Solomon, his lips twitched for a moment before he took his phone out of his bathrobe.
“There’s no need to borrow. Is five million enough?”
“Yes, it is!”
Ichika’s eye sparkled brightly.
Just a while ago, she looked terrifying when she was teaching Himari a lesson. But when she raised her gaze again, she looked no different than a harmless kitten.
With the phone in hand, she hurried back to Itachi.
“This is five million. With regards to what happened today, pretend that it never did. From now on, my sister will never return to the Nogita family. You are free to do whatever you please as long as you don’t commit anything that incriminates yourself, or else…”
A cold glint flashed across her eyes, which sent a chill down Itachi’s spine.
After receiving the money, he left without any protest.
The crowd was speechless.
Before they regained their senses, Ichika carefully approached them. Lifting her eyes, she swept her gaze across everyone present.
Before she even said anything, everyone had the sinking feeling that there was no room to object to whatever she was going to say.
This is really frightening!
Fortunately, Ichika only requested everyone to not tell her parents about what had happened. Also, she hoped that they would deal with the aftermath so that the Minamoto family’s reputation would not be sullied any further.
Given that it wasn’t a problem at all, everyone nodded in agreement.
With that, she left with Solomon, while everyone else dispersed at the same time.
Jonathan remarked, “This girl is really extraordinary. She exudes the same aura as her grandma did.”
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1424
Acting Rashly
Rufus concurred, “You’re right.”
He, too, agreed with Jonathan’s assessment.
Following behind them, Sasha couldn’t help but have mixed feelings.
Sensing her ambivalence, Sebastian asked, “What’s wrong? Are you upset that they are comparing her to your grandma?”
Sasha blushed at once.
She wasn’t unhappy about it. She just felt that it was a shame that she wasn’t as capable as they were.
“Everyone has their own strengths. You won’t have what she has, while she doesn’t have what you do. Therefore, comparisons are pointless. In my heart, you are already the best.”
Hearing his sweet words, Sasha couldn’t help but blush.
“Really?”
Sasha lowered her head to avert her gaze from Sebastian, her ears reddening.
After all, it was rare for him to whisper sweet nothings to her.
Given his proud and egoistic character, he would prove his love to her through his actions. Therefore, he had barely spoilt her with sweet talk ever since they met.
Sasha suddenly noticed that Sebastian, who was carrying Vivian on his back, had stopped in his tracks abruptly.
“Hmm?”
Not paying attention, she almost walked right into him.
However, just before she regained her senses, Sebastian turned around. Looking down at her with his dark obsidian eyes, he burst into hearty laughter.
“That’s right. Look, who else is as foolish as you are?”
“You…”
Sasha flew into a rage.
However, she broke into a smile in the end when her heart was melted by his affectionate gaze.
That night, everyone stayed in a hotel in the vicinity of the hot springs.
As there were three couples within the group, Aoi had booked five rooms. Each of the couples would have one room to themselves, while Jonathan would share one with the two boys. As for the last room, it would be occupied by Rufus and Lance.
With regards to Vivian, she would naturally sleep with Sasha in her room. After all, it was a double room.
Meanwhile, when Ichika and Solomon arrived in their room, both of them behaved awkwardly. No one knew how embarrassed they felt when they regained their senses at the hot spring.
“D-Darling, why don’t you sleep on the bed? I’ll take the couch,” Ichika anxiously suggested after sensing Solomon’s awkwardness.
She had hoped to defuse the tension in the air.
Just as expected, Solomon didn’t respond to what she said.
Nevertheless, he was visibly more relaxed than before.
However, Ichika couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Even though she was the one who suggested it, she still wished for him to object. After all, they had already made love to each other.
Unfortunately, he didn’t say anything about it.
It wasn’t until she grabbed her towel and headed for the bathroom that she noticed there wasn’t any movement outside.
Is he not mentally prepared? After all, he has just recovered, and Dr. Wallen has instructed him to take it slow.
With that thought in mind, Ichika wasn’t as upset as before.
However, the moment she turned on the shower and bathed under the flowing water, she let out a scream.
When Solomon, who was in the room outside, heard the sound, he turned to look in the direction of the bathroom. “What’s going on?”
However, the bathroom seemed to have fallen silent after the sound of the shower had stopped. After a long while, there didn’t seem to be any movement.
Solomon was stumped.
After hesitating briefly, he decided to check it out.
“Ichika? What happened? Why did you stop showering? Are you all right?”
“Darling, it hurts.”
Finally, Ichika said something. However, her soft and pitiful tone made his heart ache.
Hurts?
Solomon’s expression drastically changed.
Without any hesitation, he opened the bathroom door and hurried inside.
The moment he entered, he was greeted by a sensuous figure standing inside. Staring at her flawless skin and alluring curves, he was mesmerized by what he saw.
“Ichika, you…”
He turned his head away at once, thinking that she was going to react the same way as she did in the hot spring.
However, right after he spoke, he heard the glass door slam shut. Ichika locked herself inside and began to cry in frustration.
“Darling, I… I didn’t do it on purpose. It really hurts… It’s also broken…”
A few minutes later, Solomon finally covered Ichika with a towel and carried her out to the bathroom countertop. After struggling with himself for a long time, he bent down in front of her and awkwardly looked at where she complained the pain was coming from.
It looks serious indeed.
Back at the hot spring, he was utterly consumed by the heavy mist. Consequently, he unleashed all the lust he had upon her.
How long did I torment her for?
He could no longer remember. By the time he regained his senses, he had pinned her against a boulder. Her face was covered in tears while she was on the brink of losing her consciousness.
This is all my fault.
Solomon reprimanded himself before standing up. “In that case, you should wait here. I’ll get some medication for you.”
When Ichika lifted her face, her cheeks were flushing red.
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1425
He Is Mine
“Where are you going to get it? We’re in the hills where there are no pharmacies. Don’t tell me you’re going to see Sha?”
When the thought suddenly crossed her mind, she was so shaken that her body began to tremble.
Solomon frowned in response.
“What are you thinking about? All right. Put on some thick clothes first, or you’ll catch a cold.”
After grabbing her jacket and putting it on for her, he went out in search of medicine.
Ichika was speechless.
Tilting her head, she suddenly whipped up her phone and chatted up a good friend of hers.
Ichika texted Hiromi: Hiromi, it’s me, Ichika. I have a question for you.
Hiromi replied: Hi, Ichika. It’s been awhile. Sure. Go ahead.
Evidently, pleasantries were important to Jetroinians no matter how close their relationships were.
After hesitating for a while, Ichika gathered her courage and asked her question.
Ichika texted: Erm… Let me ask you. Is it terrible if a man doesn’t have experience?
Hiromi responded: What? Ichika, you…
Ichika added: I’m just asking. It’s a hypothetical question.
Hiromi replied: Oh, all right. You have given me a fright. It’s actually normal. A guy who is inexperienced will usually cause his partner pain. It was the same the first time I did it with my boyfriend. After that, it hurt for a few days when I walked.
Ichika replied: I see…
Although she was blushing intensely, she covered her mouth and burst into laughter after seeing her friend’s reply.
She was feeling intense pain while her nether regions seemed to be hurt. Her conclusion was that Solomon was someone inexperienced.
He’s inexperienced…
Elated by the thought, the pain she felt seemed to fade away.
Ten minutes later, Solomon finally returned. He had brought with him some anti-inflammatory medication, antiseptic, and cotton swabs.
“Ichika, I’m back with the medication.”
“All right. Good.”
After secretly relishing in her delight, Ichika quickly collected herself so that Solomon wouldn’t notice.
He entered the bathroom again and found it hard to breathe upon seeing the sight before him.
The moment he stepped in, he saw Ichika sitting on the bathroom countertop. As the heater was on, she was wearing the bathrobe loosely, so he could see the hickeys on her fair skin underneath the bathrobe.
The hickeys…
His already darkened gaze intensified further.
The sight of how alluring she looked and her legs swinging off the floor fanned the flames of desire within him.
“Does it still hurt?”
“Huh? Ah… Yes, it does.”
Ichika stopped swinging her legs abruptly.
Speechless, Solomon bent down in front of her and explained with a raspy voice, “This is an antiseptic, so it will hurt a little. You’ll have to bear with it.”
After that, Solomon slid the cotton swab in.
Suddenly, she grabbed his hand to stop him, for she was fearful of pain.
“Darling, does it hurt a lot?”
“A little.” Solomon had no choice but to stop and reassure her.
However, Ichika still wasn’t willing to let go. Maintaining her posture in front of him, she hesitated for a long while before murmuring, “In that case, I think I don’t need it.”
Solomon furrowed his eyebrows.
“Why? You’re hurt. Isn’t it painful already?”
Solomon was clueless when it came to such matters. After all, he wasn’t a girl and didn’t understand how their minds work.
It wasn’t until he realized how adamant Ichika’s refusal was that he finally relented. By then, her shy expression had turned into one that was pale with panic.
“Close your eyes.”
“What?”
Ichika widened her eyes instead.
The next moment, she felt a masculine hand reach over and sweep her eyes close. After that, Solomon dipped his finger into the antiseptic before inserting it into her.
“Ahh…” Ichika groaned. She felt a stinging pain from the antiseptic the moment it came into contact with her private part.
Meanwhile, Solomon was jolted the moment his finger felt the tenderness in her.
It caused his body to freeze awkwardly.
Obviously, he remembered the raunchy rendezvous in the hot spring.
As a man, it was impossible for him to forget the taste of the forbidden fruit once he had tried it.
Therefore, it was natural for him to be turned on when he touched Ichika.
Collecting himself at once, Solomon continued to focus on applying the medication for Ichika.
Just as he was gently rubbing her, she suddenly let out a moan above his head.
Solomon was stumped as the bathroom fell silent.
When Ichika realized what just happened, she was so embarrassed that she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.
“Darling, I… I…”
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1426
Himari Committed Suicide
Solomon didn’t know how to react.
Nevertheless, his eyes sharpened in response.
The next moment, he pulled his finger out and backed off some distance away from her.
“Darling?”
“I’m done. You can clean up now.”
He quickly put the medication aside and washed his finger in the basin. In a blink of an eye, he opened the door and left.
The next moment, Ichika even heard the sound of the room door closing.
Did he leave? Did I put him off again with my behavior?
She had just come of age and made love for the first time. However, she felt as if she was acting improperly for a lady.
Consequently, the glee she felt earlier was all gone.
All that was left was the feeling of regret and the urge to give herself a slap.
Outside the hotel, Solomon had arrived downstairs.
Given how furiously his heart was pounding, Solomon wanted to get some air. In fact, he even hoped to find himself a cold tub to dip in.
Just when he came downstairs, he realized that it had just snowed as the hotel’s parking lot was blanketed by it. There he saw two familiar figures building a snowman.
“Sebby, of all the times it could have snowed, it just had to be at this hour. Now, we’re forced to accompany your daughter to build a snowman.”
“Didn’t I tell you that you needn’t come? It’s really cold out here.”
Sebastian’s monotonous voice rang out in the snowy night.
However, every word of his carried with it the concern and affection he felt for his woman. After all, he was worried that she would catch a cold.
Having heard his words, Sasha, who was packing snowballs, broke into a smile.
“No way. I haven’t played with snow for a long time too. Why don’t we make a row of snowmen consisting of me, you, and our boys?”
“Pfft…”
Obviously, Sebastian wouldn’t say no to the idea.
With that, both of them got to work in the snow.
After he saw what was going, Solomon had an epiphany.
He was now fully recovered, for he no longer felt jealous, and he was not consumed by a possessive rage when he watched the scene in front of him. In fact, he was moved by it and filled with envy.
Unknown to anyone else, he had followed Sasha on more than one occasion when they were in high school.
Back then, he was attracted by how energetic and vibrant she was. It was as if she was bursting with sunshine all the time. During that time, he wondered how nice it would be if he could walk side by side with her while holding her hand.
He thought he would be happy to have such a woman in his life, for he had been straining for the light after being sick of having darkness engulf him.
Just as Grayson had pointed out, what Solomon truly desired wasn’t Sasha but the light she radiated that was capable of illuminating the depths of his heart.
That light was what he felt could give him salvation.
In that case, is Ichika the one?
“Darling, do you want to play in the snow too? I’ll come along with you.”
Suddenly, Ichika’s gentle voice rang out from behind him. Along with it was the sound of her hurried footsteps as she caught up with Solomon.
Solomon turned around at once and saw Ichika, who was wearing her bathrobe with a jacket draped over her shoulder.
“Darling,” she called out again with a sobbing voice.
She was crying because he had run off abruptly without saying a word.
Solomon didn’t know what to say.
She isn’t the light. Instead, she is the punishment fate wants to inflict upon me!
Feeling exasperated, Solomon scooped Ichika into his arms and stormed back into their room.
That night, everyone slept soundly.
The next morning, when they woke up and drew the curtains, they noticed the entire hot spring was blanketed by a thick layer of snow. As light shimmered off its surface, the whole scene felt like paradise.
“It’s gorgeous. Hubby, why don’t we stay here for another day?”
Sabrina made her request enthusiastically when she saw the sight outside her window.
Devin didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
“I’m fine either way. However, you should still ask Grandpa and Mr. Wand about it, just in case they’re in a hurry to return.”
“Isn’t that a piece of cake?”
Just as she spoke, Sabrina dashed out of the room to look for them.
Left alone in the room, Devin had no choice but to prepare milk for Jaena while making sure that she didn’t run after her mother. After all, she had grown a lot more active recently.
The result of the discussion was a resounding yes.
Since it was the year end, and it was rare for them to holiday together, everyone was in high spirits.
Therefore, they agreed to stay back for one more day. As for the Minamoto family, they didn’t say a word after Ichika had sent Himari back home.
Evidently, they knew very well what her intention was.
Meanwhile, Ichika was thrilled to learn that they would be staying longer. Hence, she recommended another wonderful place to them.
“You can visit the mouth of a volcano where there are mud baths available. Do you know what they are?”
“Do you mean the place where you can bury yourself in mud?” Sabrina’s eyes lit up when she heard it.
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1427
The Real Reason
Ichika nodded.
“That’s right. The locals love that place, as it’s seen to be more effective than an ordinary hot spring. However, my parents were unwilling to bring me there when I was young, and they didn’t want me to appear in public.”
Just as she spoke, Ichika lowered her head pitifully.
Solomon was speechless.
Before anyone could say a word, his insensitive sister patted Ichika on the shoulder.
“Now that you’re married, there’s nothing to worry about. Hehe! You can go anywhere you like.” Just as she spoke, her shifty gaze fell upon the hickeys on Ichika’s neck.
Both Solomon and Ichika panicked.
Finally, Devin had to pull his cheeky wife back.
Half an hour later, everyone agreed with the suggestion after a quick discussion. Hence, they decided to head out again.
Just when they were prepared to do so, a messenger from the Minamoto family arrived.
“Ms. Minamoto, I have bad news. Ms. Himari tried to kill herself by ingesting poison after being sent home!”
“What did you say?”
Ichika’s heart dropped.
Himari tried to kill herself?
Everyone was shocked by the news. Consequently, whatever they had planned for the day was all for naught.
After that, Ichika and Solomon hurriedly left, leaving the Hayeses in their room to wait for Sebastian’s decision.
“Sebby, should we go over to the Minamoto residence too? After all, I’m responsible—”
Sebastian scowled. “What has it got to do with you? She has just gotten what she deserved!”
He cut her off before she could even finish. To him, not only was it not Sasha’s fault, but he also felt that Himari should have counted her blessings, for he didn’t kill her for trying to harm his family.
His response naturally calmed Sasha down.
As for Jonathan and Rufus, they also agreed with Sebastian’s assessment of the situation.
“If that crafty witch were one of the Jadesons, we would have shot her dead.”
“That’s right. The only reason I didn’t flare at her for trying to harm my nephew was on Solomon’s account. With regards to this matter, don’t you worry, Sasha. If the Minamoto family are objective, they won’t blame you for it,” Rufus consoled his daughter.
After waiting at the hotel till noon, they finally received word from Solomon.
“He said Himari isn’t dead. She was resuscitated and is currently in the hospital,” Sasha related.
“Is it a ruse to gain pity?” Sebastian snapped in frustration before anyone could react.
Everyone fell silent.
Apparently, it was always a bad idea to scheme against someone highly intelligent. One would just end up being crushed.
Meanwhile, even Ichika saw through the ruse.
When the doctor came out of the operating room and informed her that none of Himari’s vital organs had been injured, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Ten minutes later in the ward, Ichika walked up to the bed and declared in an indifferent tone, “Himari, if you want to leave the Minamoto family, I will give you my blessing. However, mark my words. If I find out you have harmed the family, I will not forgive you.”
Himari’s eyelids twitched.
Finally, she opened her eyes and looked at Ichika.
What’s that look in her eye? Hatred?
Hatred was no longer enough to describe her feelings. The animosity Himari felt for Ichika had transcended into a murderous rage where she felt the urge to tear her apart.
“Ichika, don’t you dare gloat in front of me. One day, I will trample you beneath my feet, and you will be begging me for mercy in tears.”
“Is that so? How long do you think you need to do that? I’m afraid I’ll be dead before it happens,” Ichika retorted with an icy stare.
Unexpectedly, Himari let out an insidious laugh.
“Have you forgotten what you did when you were eight? Do you think I’m not aware of the reason why you accepted the marriage proposal from the Tsurka family?”
Ichika was stung by her words.
Ichika glared at Himari with her eyes widened. Her face had lost all color.
“You admonished Akiko and accused her of being a venomous snake. After that, you took advantage of Akiyama’s phobia to keep him by your side. You are no better than Akiko. You were the one behind those vile acts. Isn’t that true?”
“No!” Ichika shrieked.
“I didn’t. You are lying! I didn’t do that at all!”
“No? In that case, when Dad brought you to the Tsurka residence, why did you return home in panic? I remembered that day was the first day Yancy welcomed her son back home. After that day, a rumor began spreading in the city. It was said that Yamada’s adopted son kneeled at their door the entire day, begging to be accepted into the Tsurka family. In the end, an eight-year-old noble girl behind a veil requested Yamada to take the child in. In fact, she even begged Yamada on her knees before he agreed to take the boy in. Isn’t that what happened?”
Lying in the hospital bed, Himari let out a venomous laugh after she recounted the past.
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1428
Forced To Grow Up
That was actually a custom.
Among the nobles, when one adopted a son or daughter, one would usually invite all the other noble families for a banquet so that the elite class would acknowledge the child’s identity.
During the banquet, many nobles would test the adopted son or daughter’s filial piety right then and there.
Of course, that test would come in a myriad of ways.
Therefore, it was nothing for Himari to mention that matter right then when they were in Jetroina.
However, that time of Solomon’s past was really a thorn in his flesh then. In the past, Akiko successfully triggered him by using that precisely.
On that particular day, his mother—Yancy—went so far as to force him to kneel there for the entire day to force him into the Tsurka family. Meanwhile, the nobles also had him serve them in various ways for the sake of livening up the atmosphere.
Among them was the eight-year-old girl.
“At that time, all the nobles only asked him to toast them while on his knees, but you ordered him to get some water and wash your feet because your shoes were dirty. Do you know what you took him for back then? A servant, no?”
Lying on the hospital bed, Himari started laughing uproariously again when she spoke of that.
At long last, Ichika started trembling all over.
Stark terror deluged her as she stared at her sister, who was cackling away. Without warning, a gleam of unprecedented hate and murder started creeping into her eyes.
With her eyes fixated on the woman, she stalked over step by step.
“W-What are you doing?” Himari stammered.
Nevertheless, Ichika didn’t answer her.
Subsequently, all sounds ceased. The girl who had finally been driven into taking a step into hell stretched out her hands and wrapped them around the woman’s neck viciously.
“Ah!”
All at once, Himari started struggling wildly.
So, why must humans grow up? Vileness, cruelty, darkness, twistedness… Why must she taint me with those things when I was just an innocent girl? Why wouldn’t she allow me to stay pure for the rest of my days in this world?
Even as tears streamed down her face, Ichika’s gaze remained trained on her sister, who was struggling under her hands. She sobbed, pain battering against her as a battle raged within her.
Yet, she didn’t loosen her hold.
After all, when the fear and guilt within a person had burst forth, one could no longer control herself.
“Ichika! What are you doing? Let go of her!”
At that critical juncture, Solomon arrived.
Pushing open the hospital room door, he immediately raced over upon seeing the terrifying scene within. He grabbed the girl’s hands and bellowed at her.
Ichika finally stopped strangling Himari.
She then turned around in a daze. The moment she saw that the person who stopped her was none other than the man they were speaking of, all the blood instantly drained from her face.
Slowly, she slumped onto the ground.
“Ichika!”
The man’s cry echoed in the entire hospital room.
In the end, the Hayeses rushed over because of Ichika’s matter.
“Did you perchance misheard it, Sasha? Why would Ichika furtively attempt to kill her sister? That’s impossible!” Sabrina exclaimed. “She’s such an innocent girl and didn’t even put an end to her at the hot spring. Why would she make her move at the hospital?”
Being an impatient person, she couldn’t resist asking a barrage of questions while on their way to the hospital.
Sasha frowned.
I want to know what exactly happened as well. She was likewise extremely surprised when she heard about Ichika’s attempted murder out of the blue.
Alas, no one knew the answer to that question.
Even Sebastian was wearing a slight frown, seemingly ignorant about the details of the matter.
It looks like we’ll only know what happened after taking a look at the hospital.
And so, everyone hastened back to Terrandya without delay.
When they arrived and met up with Solomon, the latter told them that Himari had slipped into a coma.
Despite being thwarted by Solomon in the nick of time, Ichika still ended up crushing a neck bone of Himari’s. As a result, Himari was reduced to a vegetative state and could only live on a ventilator.
When the Hayeses saw that, they were stunned once more.
Good God! Ichika truly went so far? T-Then where is she now?
That was Sasha and Sabrina’s main concern.
“Her father took her home, so I’ve got to rush to the Minamoto residence now. Please handle things here on my behalf,” Solomon replied.
After saying that, he promptly left.
Sasha and the others stayed there, but for a long time, they couldn’t figure out any good plan to resolve the matter in the face of Himari, who had been transported back to the hospital room.
Crap! The punishment must be exceedingly severe for an attempt to murder one’s own sister among the nobility, no? What’s more, she’s the heiress at that!
They were all at a loss. At the same time, they were also puzzled. Why would the girl who’d always been docile and kind suddenly act out of character?
Meanwhile, after Ichika was taken back to the Minamoto residence, her father gave the order for her to be escorted to the temple. Upon her arrival, she was stripped of her coat and tied to a post. Then, they started hitting her with a special joss stick made by the temple.
Whack!
When the joss stick struck her, a stripe of blood materialized on the back of the girl’s thin shirt.
The pain was so excruciating that a layer of cold sweat instantly beaded on her fair and smooth forehead.
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1429
Saving His Wife
Nonetheless, Ichika didn’t beg for mercy. Instead, she bit her lip and endured the pain.
Seeing that, her father—Giichi—grew all the more livid.
“You’ve still got some backbone in you, huh? Continue hitting her without holding back! I never knew that you’re such a vicious person that you’d even attempt to kill your own sister, Ichika!”
He ordered the temple staff to hit his daughter harder.
In truth, that was the rule there.
When the descendants of the noble families committed a mistake, they would be sent to such a place to be punished. On the one hand, it was to repent to their ancestors who were enshrined there.
And on the other, it was so that the descendants would see the error of their ways.
However, it was clear as day that Ichika hadn’t any intention of admitting her wrong. Tied to the post, she was struck more than ten times successively that even blood was trickling out of her mouth, and she was close to losing consciousness.
But still, she kept mum.
Giichi was really enraged to the point of speechlessness.
Just when he was about to order for a more severe punishment to be meted, a figure abruptly sprinted in from outside.
“Ichika!”
The instance the man saw the horrifying scene in the temple, his expression immediately changed drastically. When the nun raised the joss stick and brought it down again on the young girl tied to the post whose back was already a bloody mess, he flew over and grabbed the joss stick.
“Buzz off!”
With a roar, the joss stick snapped into two in his hands.
The nun, on the other hand, was kicked to the ground.
When Giichi saw that, he sprang to his feet at once. “What are you doing, Akiyama? I’m educating my daughter!”
Indeed, that man was none other than Solomon.
Unfortunately, he acted as though he couldn’t hear his father-in-law. Tossing the joss stick to the ground, he swiftly untied the girl bound to the post and had been beaten to within an inch of her life. He scooped her up into his arms right away.
“Ichika? Are you okay?”
The bright red blood stung his eyes, and even his voice shook when he spoke.
Ichika’s eyelashes fluttered against her petite face that was drained of all color before she slowly opened her eyes in the man’s embrace.
“D-Darling…”
“I’m here. Don’t be afraid. I’m here to take you away.”
Shrugging off his jacket, Solomon wrapped it around the girl who had been beaten so badly that not an inch of her was unmarred. After that, he made to take her away with his eyes blazing scarlet.
Unexpectedly, the girl shook her head in his arms at that exact moment.
“I-It’s okay, Darling. I-I really did wrong. I-I don’t deserve-”
“What did you do wrong? If dealing with a person who should’ve long since gone to hell is wrong, then my time in this world ought to have expired ages ago. After all, I have too much blood on my hands,” the man rectified sharply.
As he clutched at the jacket wrapped around Ichika, unprecedented rage and hostility brewed in his eyes behind his glasses.
Clocking the look in his eyes, Giichi seemingly lost the confidence within him for some inexplicable reason.
He was certainly well aware of his son-in-law’s background and knew that the man was indeed notorious for his ruthlessness in Sinch Enterprise. For that reason, he had no doubts about the veracity of his declaration right then.
Ultimately, his weathered face paled a shade.
“Akiyama, she’s still a member of the Minamoto family. Now that she did such a thing, I’ve got to give the family an explanation.”
“What explanation? Since she has married me, she’s no longer a part of the Minamoto family. The women here go with their husbands after marriage. Thus, her name is now Ichika George! She has nothing to do with the Minamoto family.”
“How dare you?!”
Giichi was so incensed that his face flushed bright red.
But that wasn’t all, for that son-in-law of his proceeded to whip out several things and throw them at him.
“Look at the wonderful things that eldest daughter of yours did. If you really attach such great importance to the family rules and customs of the Minamoto family, you should take a good look at everything she did. Is it enough to warrant the death penalty in your family rules? If the answer is yes, then Ichika merely fulfilled her duties as the head of the family in advance by doing so today!”
Spatting out those few utterances in a steely voice, he left with the girl in his arms without an ounce of hesitation.
Behind him, Giichi picked the things up from the ground after a moment’s stupefaction. When he finished going through everything sometime later, his blood pressure shot through the roof. He was so infuriated that he passed out.
Meanwhile, Solomon finally brought Ichika back to the hospital.
Naturally, the Hayeses who had only returned to the hotel a short time ago caught wind of it.
When they learned that Ichika was beaten to within an inch of her life, everyone went back to the hospital other than Lance and Sebastian, who stayed at the hotel to take care of the children.
“How is she? Is she okay?” Sasha inquired frantically.
“I don’t know. She was just wheeled into the operating theater a moment ago,” Solomon answered.
He has been standing outside the operating theater for such a long time, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen him so frantic that his voice has turned hoarse.
Sasha and Sabrina waited anxiously there with him.
Fortunately, after waiting for a little over an hour, the doctor came out and told them that Giichi didn’t really go for broke, so Ichika’s injuries were superficial despite looking gruesome.
Only after hearing that did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
After swaying on his feet for a moment, Solomon finally sat down on the bench while supporting himself against the wall.
His Secret Lover Returning from the Dead Chapter 1430
Things Changed
That’s probably a phenomenon of one’s nerves relaxing after having been stretched taut.
Sasha clocked that, and a sense of relief suffused her. After leaving the hospital and arriving back at the hotel, she headed over to the man keeping the few children company in the suite upon spotting him. Then, she sat down cross-legged in front of him.
“I think Solomon has found the light in his life this time.”
“Really?”
Hearing her use the word light to describe the man who had been in love with her all his life for the first time, Sebastian surprisingly lifted his head and looked at her seriously.
Chortling, Sasha asserted, “Yup. In the hospital earlier, I noticed his anxiety and fear. When he heard that Ichika was fine, his eyes even turned red-rimmed at one point. Haha, this is great! I can finally rest easy.”
She had no qualms saying that at all.
Firstly, she considered him family and was purely worried about him.
And secondly, she was solemnly informing the man in front of her about it.
Since Solomon had finally turned his affections to another woman, the man naturally didn’t have to be jealous all day long anymore.
To her surprise, the man before her didn’t appear relieved as expected after she had finished saying that.
Instead, his stern brows knitted together.
“I’m afraid that things aren’t so simple. She wouldn’t have attempted to kill her sister for no reason. Take a rabbit, for instance. When have you ever seen it biting someone?”
“When it’s backed into a corner?” Sasha blurted.
Indeed, it was only when a rabbit was backed into a corner would it bite.
In the city where snowflakes fluttered in the sky, the chill felt even more biting when night fell.
Solomon sensed that icy coldness as well, for when the girl who had finally regained consciousness in the hospital room only said a few words to him after opening her eyes before she murmured, “Let’s get a divorce, Akiyama.”
“What did you just say?”
He narrowed his eyes a fraction, thinking that he must have heard Ichika wrongly.
A divorce? She actually proposed to get a divorce with me? She wouldn’t leave even when I chased her away and insisted on staying by my side despite knowing that I was merely treating her as a substitute, yet she’s now asking me for a divorce?
He stretched a hand out to touch her forehead, wanting to check whether she was running a fever.
However, when his hand reached her, he noticed that she had turned her head away for the very first time.
He was instantly struck dumb.
“I’m serious, Akiyama. I made an unforgivable mistake this time. I want to atone for it to the ancestors of the Minamoto family, so I’ll be staying at the temple henceforth. Please grant me my wish,” Ichika whispered in a choked voice as she lay on the hospital bed.
When her words fell, Solomon studied her averted face. At long last, he started believing that she was serious.
“Oh, so that’s what this is all about. In that case, don’t worry. I’ve already told your father that you’ve married me, thus have nothing to do with the Minamoto family anymore.”
“No, I do. I’m still the heiress of the Minamoto family.”
Argh! She’s still being very stubborn!
Solomon’s eyes darkened, and he didn’t continue arguing with her. Instead, when he glanced at the IV drip and saw that it was almost finished, he went out and got the nurse.
That night, the couple didn’t say anything else in the hospital room.
Ichika feigned sleep, and Solomon didn’t disrupt her when he saw that she was “sleeping.”
Instead, he worked in the hospital room on his laptop for most of the night before catching some shuteye.
When he woke up, it was already bright daylight.
Rubbing his groggy eyes, he groped for his glasses on the table and slipped them on, only to discover that the hospital bed had been vacated a long time ago.
Hmm? Where is she?
He immediately stood up and went out in search of her.
“Ichika?” he called out along the corridors in the hospital.
There was no response, but a nurse came over instead. When she saw that he was looking for someone, she told him Ichika’s whereabouts.
“Ms. Minamoto is getting some sunlight downstairs. She told us not to wake you since you worked for the entire night. You can find her downstairs.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Solomon then hastened downstairs.
Sure enough, when he had gotten downstairs, he spotted the girl in a hospital gown basking in the sunlight in the garden that was still blanketed in a thick layer of snow at a single glance.
Why on earth did she come down here when it’s so cold?
He promptly went over to her.
“Why did you come downstairs alone, Ichika? How could such paltry sunlight give you any warmth on such a chilly day? You might just catch a cold instead.”
He didn’t bring his jacket down, so he planned on bringing her back to the hospital room after reaching her.
But then, the girl suddenly turned back when she heard his voice behind her.
“Akiyama, look, the sun is out!” A smile bloomed on her pale face. Her arms were wide opened, with her palms facing upward as though she was holding the sunlight in them.
Verily, she was joyous and optimistic.
On the contrary, Solomon was a touch morose because he heard her calling him by name again instead of the usual endearment.
“All right. It’s cold, so let’s go back.”
Keeping his emotions in check, he patiently went over to bring her back.
Unexpectedly, she stretched her cold hands and placed them into his palms out of the blue, grasping him tightly. As she looked down at him, her gaze was seemingly riveted.