Chapter 5 AFTERMATH OF DESIRE

Nathaniel's eyes widened in shock as he touched his cheek, feeling the sting of Andrea's slap. No one had ever dared to hit him before, especially not a woman. He couldn't believe his eyes, couldn't process the fact that Andrea had stood up to him like that.

Andrea, on the other hand, was shaking with rage and fear. She knew she had crossed a line, but she couldn't just stand there and let Nathaniel take advantage of her. She took a step back, her eyes flashing with defiance.

Nathaniel's face darkened, his eyes narrowing into slits. "How dare you," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Andrea stood her ground, her heart pounding in her chest. "You were out of line," she spat. "I won't let you treat me like that."

The air was thick with tension as the two of them faced off. Nathaniel's eyes seemed to bore into Andrea's soul, searching for any sign of weakness. But Andrea refused to back down, her spirit unbroken.

Just as it seemed like the situation was about to escalate further, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Sophia's voice called out, "Nathaniel, darling, what's going on?"

Nathaniel's eyes flicked towards the door, and for a moment, Andrea saw a glimmer of uncertainty. But then his mask slipped back into place, and he turned to face Sophia with a charming smile.

Nathaniel's face was a mask of calmness, but his eyes betrayed his anger. He turned to Sophia, his voice smooth as silk. "Nothing, Sophia. Just a minor disagreement. I'll take care of it."

Sophia's eyes narrowed, sensing that something was off. But Nathaniel's expression gave nothing away. She shrugged, her interest already waning. "Very well, Nathaniel. I trust you'll handle it."

Nathaniel nodded, his eyes never leaving Sophia's face. But as soon as she turned away, his expression darkened. He was seething with anger, his mind racing with ways to get back at Andrea.

Andrea, oblivious to the storm brewing against her, continued with her duties, her heart still racing from the encounter with Nathaniel. Little did she know, her life was about to get a lot more complicated.

Andrea's mind was reeling with the implications of what had just happened. She had kissed Nathaniel, the son of the man responsible for her father's death. The same man who had ruined her family and left them destitute.

She felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she thought about it. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have let her guard down around him?

Andrea's eyes stung with tears as she thought about her father. She had promised herself that she would make Julian Richardson pay for what he had done. But instead, she had just kissed his son.

She felt a deep sense of shame and betrayal. Betrayal of her father's memory, and her values. She didn't know how she was going to live with herself after this.

As she stood there, trying to process her emotions, Andrea knew that she had to get out of there. She had to get away from Nathaniel and his family before she did something else she would regret.

She took a deep breath and started to make her way back to her room, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. But as she walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking away from a part of herself.

She took a deep breath and started to make her way back to her room, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. But as she walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking away from a part of herself.

Andrea stood in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection with a mix of disgust and shame. The hickeys on her neck and chest seemed to mock her, reminding her of the intimate encounter she had with Nathaniel.

She felt a wave of revulsion wash over her as she thought about how she had let him touch her, kiss her, and mark her as his own. The memory of his lips on her skin made her shudder.

Andrea quickly turned on the shower, hoping to wash away the physical evidence of their encounter. She scrubbed herself raw, trying to remove every last trace of Nathaniel's scent from her skin.

But no matter how hard she scrubbed, his scent lingered. It was as if his touch had left an indelible mark on her, a reminder of the forbidden passion they had shared.

Andrea's frustration grew as she realized she couldn't erase the memories of their encounter. She felt like she was trapped in her own body, unable to escape the sensations and emotions that Nathaniel had awakened in her.

As she stood under the shower, the water pounding against her skin, Andrea felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She was torn between her desire for revenge against the Richardson family and her growing attraction to Nathaniel.

The conflict raged inside her, leaving her feeling lost and vulnerable. Andrea didn't know how much longer she could keep up the charade, or how much longer she could resist the pull of her forbidden desire.

Nathaniel couldn't shake off the memory of Andrea's lips, her touch, and her taste. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and it scared him. He was the son of Julian Richardson, a man who didn't tolerate weakness.

As he navigated the labyrinthine corridors of his family's estate, Nathaniel couldn't help but feel trapped. He was caught between his loyalty to his family and his growing feelings for Andrea.

He knew that his father would never approve of him being with a maid. Julian Richardson was a man who valued power and prestige above all else. He would see Andrea as nothing more than a conquest, a way for Nathaniel to assert his dominance.

But Nathaniel knew that Andrea was more than that. She was strong, fiercely independent, and determined. She was the one person who had ever stood up to him, who had ever made him feel like he wasn't in control.

As he entered his father's study, Nathaniel was greeted by the familiar sight of Julian's imposing figure. His father was seated behind his desk, a cigar clenched between his teeth.

"Nathaniel, my boy," Julian said, his voice dripping with condescension. "I hear you've been getting a little too familiar with one of the maids."

Nathaniel's heart sank, but he knew better than to show weakness. "I don't know what you're talking about, Father," he lied.

Julian's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb with me, Nathaniel. I know all about your little tryst with Andrea. And let me tell you, it's not going to end well."

Nathaniel's gut twisted with anxiety. What did his father have planned? And what did it have to do with Andrea?

"What do you mean, Father?" Nathaniel asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.

Julian's smile was sinister. "Let's just say that Andrea is more than just a pretty face. She's a pawn in a much larger game, one that could bring our family even greater power and wealth."

Nathaniel's eyes widened as he realized the true nature of his family's business dealings. They were ruthless, cunning, and willing to do whatever it took to get ahead.

And Andrea was caught right in the middle of it all.

Just as Nathaniel was about to demand more information from his father, a loud crash echoed from outside the study. The sound was followed by a faint cry for help.

Nathaniel's heart skipped a beat as he rushed to the door. "What's going on?" he shouted, flinging open the door.

But what he saw made his blood run cold. Andrea was lying on the floor, her eyes closed, a look of pain etched on her face.

And standing over her, a sinister smile spreading across his face, was Nathaniel's father.