Chapter 85 No One Can Bully You

"So why are you crying?" Nathan asked, firmly placing his hands on Mandy's shoulders, trying to soothe her.

"Can you stop asking?" Mandy's cheeks reddened from the previous events. After retelling it now, she couldn't help but feel humiliated from what had happened after she had walked out on her mother.

"You're my woman, Mandy. I won't allow anyone to bully you." Nathan brought her chin up to look at him. Her confused eyes met his determined ones, and she couldn't help but look away.

Once again, Nathan had found a way to curve her expectations. When she was crying, he'd be the most gentle man in the room. When she was laughing, he'd find a way to bring those glistening eyes to tears. Nathan was just unpredictable.

He found a way to twist her emotions with his words.

"Nathan, please, don't ask any more. Let me keep my dignity." Mandy curled up into a ball, removing the hand that held her chin. Her eyebrows knitted as she trembled at his close touch. Though she did appreciate his concern, this hot-and-cold reaction was sometimes a bit too much for her.

Seeing this, Nathan couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. She reminded him too much of his first love–both irritatingly stubborn and a crazy determination was hidden in their gaze. He removed his hold.

"Okay, let's stop talking about this." Nathan compromised, reaching out his arms to hold her. There was a rare tenderness in his eyes as Mandy leaned in on his chest, snuggling into the warmth of his skin.

Though no words were exchanged, Mandy knew he understood her, and she appreciated the fact that he didn't pester her about it anymore.

Lillian had already prepared dinner for them. However, before she could call them, she saw that they were already in each other's tight embrace. Not wanting to interrupt their make-out session, she quietly left the room.

"Could you please not let my mom find out that we live together?" Mandy drew back, biting her lips.

"What's wrong?" There was anger in his voice as Nathan asked, drawing back. Was it that shameful to live with him?

is bright eyes froze, and the smile of his gaze dimmed. "There's a body hidden. Do you want to see it?"

Mandy trembled at his cold voice, feeling stupid that she had even asked such a question.

Not knowing whether Nathan was joking or not, Mandy looked away. "Don't talk nonsense. Rest assured, I won't go anywhere near that room."

"That's right. I like smart and obedient women." Nathan smiled in satisfaction, and they started to eat.

That night, Mandy had a nightmare again.

She dreamed that she walked into that room, the locked one. A woman doused in blood crawled over her, grabbing her ankles as she said, "Give me back my life." Her shrilly voice felt like needles stabbing Mandy in the sides.

Sweat was dripping from her forehead now as she gasped for breath, turning around under her sheets. In her dream, a pair of hands were wrapped around her throat.

She could smell the blood and rust oozing from the room like it had spent hundreds of years decaying. The hag crawled towards her, her sharp fingernails digging into her throat.

"Oh, my God! It's not me. Don't kill me! Please. Please!" Mandy cried out, throwing her sheets to the floor. She was shaking now as she continued pushing the nonexistent person away.

The cry woke Nathan up, who was lying beside her. When he saw Mandy thrashing around the bed, he sat up. She was having a nightmare again!