The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes

Chapter 30: Chapter 30-Tender Care

Janet’s almond-shaped eyes widened in shock.

She stared dumbfounded at Derrick’s stern face,

mentally retracing the past days—how she and Philip had spent time together, which could be counted on her ten fingers.

"Y-yes..." Janet stammered,

not intending to hide anything from him.

After all, it was all Philip’s arrangement; she had no right to question it.

"You seem to have forgotten what I told you," Derrick said sharply—

his tone eerily reminiscent of Charles.

She remembered Charles had once said the exact same thing to her.

Father and son, after all, were alike in many ways.

"Philip may be physically limited now,

but the doctors said he can gradually live a normal man’s life again.

You understand what I mean, don’t you?"

Derrick fixed his cold gaze on her delicate, translucent face.

He hadn’t imagined that after the wedding night, Philip would move to the next room instead of staying with Janet.

And if he had known that the man who shared that night with Janet wasn’t really Philip...

perhaps he would have taken a much harsher approach toward her.

"Dad..." Janet wasn’t stupid.

She fully understood what Derrick meant.

But from the very beginning, Philip never intended to have her.

How could she possibly confess now?

That chaotic night—the sinister man—he was not Philip.

"You’d better remember my words clearly.

Or else, in this house, you’ll get nothing at all!"

Derrick’s commanding tone left no room for argument.

It was only because of Black Rock Co. and Philip’s shares that he tolerated her staying by Charles’s side.

But that didn’t mean he would allow any chances for either of them.

"And stay far away from Charles and August.

Your heart belongs only to Philip.

If I find out you’ve done anything to betray Philip again..."—

Derrick snorted coldly.

Janet remained silent, unable to utter a single word.

Derrick’s dominance and severity were perfectly justified, yet every word stabbed uncomfortably at her heart.

When Janet stepped out of the study, Robert immediately brought a plate of fruit and silently gestured toward the living room.

"You lost again!" Philip placed his last chess piece on the board,

his sharp eyes still fixed on the game—but he could tell his opponent’s mind had already drifted away.

"Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever beaten Philip once," Charles said with a faint smile, no trace of anger, meeting Philip’s clear blue eyes as he leaned back lazily.

"That’s because you want me to win," Philip said confidently.

In Philip’s world, the word lose simply didn’t exist.

There was only the rare moment in front of him when someone could have his complete surrender—

because he carried too much weight on his shoulders.

He needed someone to save him from the darkness.

The grudges between Derrick and Norman, the feuds between Charles and August—

he hoped they could all be resolved one day.

He believed that ever since Janet appeared, a ray of sunlight had entered Charles’s life, dispelling some of the shadows.

And that this wonderful girl...

he didn’t deserve her.

Janet approached them, still dazed.

Derrick’s harsh words kept echoing in her ears.

But when she looked at Philip’s faint, gentle smile,

she saw behind it a face colder than ice.

"Janet, what’s wrong? Your hands are so cold..."

Philip reached out to touch her hand as she placed the fruit plate on the tea table.

She felt a sharp chill where their skin met.

Charles looked at the two pairs of hands tightly clasped together, feeling a sharp sting in his eyes, yet he said nothing. His deep, unfathomable eyes locked tightly onto Janet’s fair face.

"It’s nothing!" Janet smiled faintly and pulled her hand away from Philip’s. She could feel the burning gaze from above fixed on her, but she dared not raise her head or meet his scorching eyes. Derrick seemed to know something — that was why he was warning her so clearly. And she knew she should keep her distance from him.

"I’ll help you back!" Janet gently pulled the blanket on his legs a little higher, her soft eyes seeming to glisten with moisture. Philip was surprised. Charles seemed thoughtful as his fingertips scraped against the leather sofa, but all he could do was watch helplessly as she and Philip disappeared before his eyes.

She was Philip’s woman!

Charles furrowed his brow wearily, trying to calm himself and treat that woman with peace, because he knew that whether at the company or at home, he could never just treat him as his secretary or sister-in-law. More than that, a strong desire rose within him — this woman should belong only to him!

After Janet helped Philip back to the room, she found Robert already waiting outside the door, looking troubled. Only then did Janet realize that Derrick had moved all of Philip’s belongings into her room, and the room she had been staying in was supposed to be their new marital bedroom.

"Young master, the lord arranged it!" Robert was Philip’s trusted aide but sometimes had to obey Derrick’s orders. He could guess Derrick’s intention, but none of them had the right to object.

Janet said nothing and directly pushed Philip into her room. The red carpet, the red curtains, the dark red furniture — everywhere was filled with the atmosphere of newlyweds. Janet and Philip both clearly understood that they were still newlyweds!

"I’ll help you take a bath!" Janet glanced at the oversized double bed, then squatted down before Philip, her large eyes full of seriousness.

Philip met her clear eyes, wanting to refuse, but the words caught in his throat, and strangely, he nodded.

Janet stood up and wheeled him into the bathroom. Compared to the spacious room, the air inside was evidently more stifling. Janet adjusted the bathwater temperature, then bent down in front of him, soft strands of hair falling over her chest brushing Philip’s nose. He caught a faint feminine fragrance.

Philip wore only a light blue shirt. Wherever Janet’s fingers touched, sparks of electricity seemed to ignite. Philip could feel her trembling. When her fingers reached his waist, he suddenly grabbed her hand, warm breath blowing against her ear. "Janet, did Dad say something to you?"

Just now, while playing chess with Charles, he noticed Charles was distracted. Charles was even more worried about Janet than he was!

"No, he didn’t say anything!" Janet’s hand paused, then continued to feel beneath him, trying to pull off his pants, but her fingers trembled even more. This man was her husband. Even if their actions grew more intimate, it was normal. Yet her heart was restless, and she didn’t even know why...

"Janet!" Philip looked at her with closed eyes, seeming to see nothing. He sighed with regret, then held her small hand and moved it away from his body. "You can’t carry me. Go call Robert to come