Love’s New Bloom By Simone Hastings

Chapter 71 Unanticipated Apology 

Erin could not rival his strength. The results of her resistance were always the same. She drifted in and out of a trance in her half–awakened state. At the peak of her climax, Erin’s brain emptied, as though she was floating on the clouds. 

She was extremely conflicted. Try as she might to shield her heart against Chandler’s charms, her body had completely. accepted the feeling of his body against hers. Why else would she jerk awake the second lan started touching her? 

And yet, when it came to Chandler, it was only when he had her that she awakened. Deep down, part of her had to admit that the fit of his body against hers was a perfect match. 

Seeing that she was weak and powerless, Chandler leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry, Erin.” 

She was immediately wide awake. For a second, Erin wondered if she had been hallucinating. “What?” she asked, surprised. 

Sweat beaded on Chandler’s forehead. From where she lay, his perfectly balanced features were so stunning that Erin found 

herself lost in wonder. 

Chandler winked at her seductively and repeated, “I want to apologize to you.” 

Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, she was shocked that he would actually apologize to her. Yet, Erin couldn’t help but ask, “What are you apologizing for?” 

Chandler’s gaze was entirely focused when he looked at her and replied seriously, “I shouldn’t have choked you. And that incident with Claire–I want you to know that I knew all along that it was her who framed you, but I had chosen to prioritize stabilizing her emotions at that time over your feelings. I shouldn’t have asked you to apologize to her. I’m so sorry, Erin.” 

The long–awaited apology drove Erin into silent tears. Chandler wiped away her tears with the back of his thumb. Softly, he asked, “Why are you crying?” 

Erin was unprepared for the tenderness he was showing her now. “Why are you apologizing to me-” she choked out. 

“I realized I was in the wrong. Naturally, it’s only right for me to apologize. You told me that I didn’t know how to respect you. Is it too late for me to learn to respect you now?” His voice had always been melodious, but coupled with a humbled attitude and deep sincerity, it was enough to make any woman fall in love. 

Erin, of course, was no exception. Now, she dared not look directly into his eyes. Those dark, deep eyes seemed to possess some kind of mysterious, attractive force, making her fall willingly into its swirling vortexes. 

Her attempts to dodge his gaze made him lift her chin with his fingers, pressing his lips onto hers gently. For the first time, Erin’s emotions stirred, and she responded to his touch. This major change in her attitude caused a delicate flower to blossom in Chandler’s heart. He thought he vaguely felt something taking root and sprouting within him. 

When they finished showering, Erin dressed neatly and looked at herself in the dressing mirror. Her reflection today seemed different from what it used to be the day before. 

Having just put on a shirt, Chandler embraced her from behind and gazed at their joined reflections in the mirror. He murmured in her ear, “You’re so beautiful.” 

The tips of her ears flushed. Recalling what had happened earlier, she thought she had finally begun to slowly and willingly accept him. Still, faint tendrils of doubt resided within her heart. She kept on thinking that she had lost something, her fear about the unknown future sinking its claws into her. 

The confusion and fragility in her eyes prompted Chandler to press his lips against her cheek. He told her, “Please accept me, 

Erin. Please let us have a fresh start.” 

His words were not passionate confessions of love, but she could feel the shift in him acutely. 

Yet, the matter of her being his secret lover made her uneasy. “Who am I to you in your heart?” she asked. 

Chandler avoided the question. Instead, he replied, “Just know that you’re not Claire. You’re not like everyone else. You’re not a replacement either.” 

His response was somewhat disappointing, but even Erin couldn’t be sure of her heart. She didn’t know if she had fallen for Chandler or not. So, upon hearing his response, she decided she did not want to question him further. 

Today, Chandler didn’t go to work in the company, so Erin helped him look for books in the study. There was a wooden staircase in the study spiraling upward. 

Chandler hadn’t really wanted to read anything in the first place, but he simply mentioned a few foreign book titles just so she could accompany him that day. 

Erin’s mind had been wandering nonstop as she pondered her relationship with Chandler. The scars lan left in her heart had not yet fully recovered. Did she really want to start a new relationship now? 

She was standing on the stairs in an elegant red dress, a book clasped in her hands as she stood deep in thought, so much so that she didn’t realize that Chandler had walked over to her side. He lifted his head and watched her, catching sight of the white lace underneath her dress. His eyes darkened as he stroked her smooth, fair calves with his palms. 

Erin was so startled by his sudden presence that she almost lost her balance. Chandler pulled her towards himself using her momentum, and she fell into his arms easily. He smiled as he asked, “Have you found the books yet?” 

She raised her gaze and looked at him. Her heart fluttered like a herd of deer was running wild inside her. Lowering her voice, she murmured, “Three more to go-” 

Noticing her demeanor and behavior, Chandler felt a sense of victory as he took in her every move. He had never thought about using his good looks to win over anyone. Yet, when it came to Erin, it seemed to work. 

And its results were surprisingly good. 

He was starting to believe what Kyle had told him the other day. If it hadn’t been for the fact that she had feelings for him, she would never have changed so much in the way she treated him. 

“You look so good in this dress, Erin. It’s making me want to get another taste of you again.” His seductive voice drifted lightly into her ears. Just for a few fleeting seconds, her ears turned so red that they looked like they were dripping with blood. Chandler laughed boisterously. “You’re so cute.” 

Just as he was moving toward her earlobes, Erin suddenly exclaimed, “Oh no–oh fuck!” 

He knitted his brow in confusion. “What?” 

She struggled to get down, and Chandler didn’t force her to stay. Seeing as she was about to leave the room, he grabbed her waist and asked, “Where are you going? What’s wrong?” 

Erin said shyly, “I’m going to the pharmacy to buy some medication for–for contraception.” 

He lowered his gaze and pondered her words for two seconds. “You want to buy the morning–after pill?” he asked. 

“Yes!” 

Chandler had long expected her to think of this. Chuckling, he replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’ve already asked the butler to buy it earlier. When he returns, I’ll have him send it over.” 

Erin’s expression relaxed. “Alright, I won’t worry about it then!” 

Her worries and panic made him a little uncomfortable and hurt. His voice was slightly icy when he spoke, “Are you that afraid of getting pregnant? Because it would be my child?” 

Erin looked in his direction, noticing his icy facade. She explained hurriedly, “I’m just afraid of having unplanned, accidental pregnancies. I mean, after all–we’re not-” 

“Not what?” Chandler asked coldly. 

She was momentarily at a loss for words and didn’t know how to answer. She didn’t understand why he would suddenly get mad. She had thought Chandler would be even more afraid than her about matters like accidental pregnancies. 

She said calmly, “Although our relationship has improved, we are still starting to understand one another. If I get pregnant 

suddenly at this time, I think even you wouldn’t want that to happen.” 

Chandler swept a cold glance in her direction. “You’re not me. How can you know what I’m thinking?” 

With that, he left the room with a stony face. 

Erin was confused by his unpredictable emotions. She murmured to herself, “Could it be possible that you might want me to be pregnant with your child?”