Chapter172 – Naughty, Sis…
Clarissa's body slowly relaxed, her irritation dissolving as she looked up at him. Her eyes sparkled with emotion.
“Atticus…”
He brushed his hand through her long hair, voice soft. “Clarissa… let’s have a baby someday.”
With a child, even if she found out everything, maybe she wouldn’t leave him.
“You… like kids?” Clarissa looked at him in surprise.
She had always assumed someone like Atticus—cold, intense, emotionally distant—would be completely uninterested in children. Maybe even hate them.
Sure enough, Atticus said, “No. I don’t like kids.”
Then he smirked, adding, “But I’d like the ones you give me.”
Clarissa’s face lit up bright red.
She turned away again and muttered, “Who said I’m giving you any? You’re such a shameless little… ugh.”
Atticus watched her turn away with a gleam in his eyes. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
It was a soft, fleeting kiss.
Before she could react, he was already pulling away, his voice gentle, “Sleep.”
Soon, the steady rhythm of his breathing told her he’d drifted off.
His arm was still wrapped around her waist, and his body heat radiated through the thin fabric between them.
Clarissa slowly turned around, facing him.
The curtains hadn’t been drawn, and now a single ray of dawn sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden glow on Atticus’s face—highlighting the perfection of his features.
Clarissa rarely looked at him this closely. Partly because he was simply too handsome, and she was only human. But mostly, because she used to think of him as her younger brother.
But maybe Atticus was right. Maybe it was time to stop fighting how she really felt.
Looking at him now—peaceful, without the shadow of violence behind his eyes—he looked gentle.
There probably weren’t many women in the world who could resist this Atticus.
Clarissa reached out and gently brushed the stray hair from his forehead, letting her fingertips trail down his face.
Her heart filled with a warm, golden light.
“Atticus…” she whispered, leaning forward to place a soft kiss on his chin.
She curled into his arms and pressed her cheek to his chest. “You have to be good, okay? I’ll stay with you—and you’ll become someone amazing.”
Her voice was feather-light.
“I hope we can stay like this… forever.”
And with that, Clarissa closed her eyes. Within moments, she was asleep.
......
On the Other Side.
Yuriko Nomiya sat alone on the velvet sofa, perfectly still. The phone on the coffee table buzzed against the wood with a persistent vibration. She inhaled deeply, steeling herself, then reached out and tapped the screen to answer.
“Father…”
“Yuriko Nomiya,” came the cold voice on the other end, sharp as steel. “Have you completed the task I assigned you?”
Yuriko’s expression stiffened, her voice barely above a whisper, “Father… I need a little more time.”
“Explain.”
She hesitated, teeth sinking into her bottom lip. “It’s… Atticus.”
“Atticus? Can he cure Gabriel’s condition?”
“I’m not sure. But Gabriel looks well. He turned down our invitation outright.” Yuriko’s tone wavered, then firmed. “But don’t worry, Father. I’ll meet your expectations. I won’t fail.”
“No need.”
Her breath caught. “Father?”
“Change of plans. Your new objective is to get close to Atticus. It’s his teacher we want.”
Yuriko’s eyes widened. “You mean…”
“Yes. That man is the greatest threat to our family’s survival. If you can reach him through him, we win. And if you can make him fall for you… even better.”
Her throat tightened, but her expression soon cooled, replaced by a calculating gleam. “He’s already engaged.”
“What? He’s not even twenty—is it a childhood engagement?”
“I believe so.”
“Then take him. She’s just one woman. And you—Yuriko—you’re my daughter. If you want him, there isn’t a man alive who could resist you.”
Yuriko’s eyes lit up at his words, glowing with cold determination. “Yes, Father.”
“I’ll be waiting for your good news.”
......
The Next Day.
Atticus and Clarissa visited Gabriel early that morning.
Lately, Gabriel had been in good spirits. The moment he saw them, a faint but genuine smile touched his lips.
“Well, well… what are you two doing here?”
“We’re heading back the day after tomorrow,” Atticus said, holding out a small, elegant box. “This is a gift. Please accept it, Mr. Gabriel.”
Gabriel opened the lid—and his eyes lit up. “This is…”
Atticus smiled faintly. “Now, at least half your wish is granted.”
Gabriel carefully closed the box and handed it to David with reverence. “Thank you. Thank you, truly. Mr. Atticus… if there’s anything you ever need, anything I can offer, it’s yours. No questions asked.”
“There’s no need to be that dramatic,” Atticus replied with a relaxed grin. “But my woman wants to visit Butterfly Valley today.”
“Today?” Gabriel echoed.
“Why? Is it a bad time?”
Gabriel chuckled. “Not at all. In fact, I’ll make good on the promise I gave you, Mr. Atticus. David.”
David immediately stepped forward. “Yes, sir. What do you need?”
“Take Mr. Atticus and his fiancée to the valley.”
“But—”
“Just go,” Gabriel interrupted, smiling at David—a smile loaded with meaning.
David met his eyes, understanding dawning, and gave a small nod. Then he turned and left without another word.
Clarissa noticed something odd in Gabriel’s expression but decided not to press it.
On the way back, Atticus’s voice cut through her thoughts. “What’s wrong? Not enjoying yourself?”
Clarissa looked over, her cheeks tinged red. “Can you stop calling me your woman all the time?”
Atticus raised his brows, the picture of innocence. “Why? Don’t you like me?”
“That’s not the point.” She exhaled in frustration. “What I mean is, before our relationship is officially confirmed, you can’t just say things like that—especially not in front of your friends, or Grandpa, or my parents, or Phoenix—especially not her.”
Atticus listened quietly as she listed off names, his eyes darkening slightly with something unreadable.
Before she could finish, he suddenly reached out and pulled her close.
Startled, Clarissa stumbled slightly. “Atticus—what are you doing?”
He grinned. “Clarissa… are you trying to keep this a secret? Like you’re having an affair?”
Clarissa froze, her face turning even redder.
Atticus let out a low laugh. “That’s kind of hot, actually. So you like it risky, huh? Naughty, Sis…”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” she snapped, slapping his hand away and abruptly stepping back.
This damn kid was getting bolder by the day.
Face flushed with embarrassment and irritation, Clarissa stormed ahead. Behind her, Atticus stood up from his wheelchair and began limping after her, slow but determined.
“Clarissa! Hey, Sis! I was kidding—I swear!”
Despite the apology, a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.
Ten... nine... eight...
Sure enough, just as he silently counted down in his head, Clarissa spun around and stomped toward him, fuming.
“Why the hell are you walking! Your leg’s not fully healed yet!”
She scolded him as she helped him back into the wheelchair and threw the blanket over his lap. Her hands were firm but careful.
Atticus stared up at her with a satisfied smile, quietly savoring her obvious concern.
Later, David led Atticus and Clarissa to the entrance of Butterfly Valley.
The path was hidden behind what looked like a solid cliff face. A narrow tunnel, swallowed in shadow, stretched deep into the mountainside. It was man-made, and she marveled at the architect's ingenuity. From the outside, there was no sign of any entrance at all.
To help with the walk, Gabriel had arranged a pair of sleek black crutches for Atticus.
At first, Atticus refused—but after Clarissa gently coaxed him, he reluctantly accepted.
After David left, Atticus leaned against a tree just outside the tunnel, motionless. He hadn’t taken a single step.
He simply didn’t want Clarissa to see him like this—hobbling around on crutches, vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Clarissa was busy taking in the scenery around them. She had read about the valley, but the reality far surpassed the descriptions. Crystal-clear rivers wound through lush hills, and vibrant, unfamiliar flowers dotted the landscape. A rare parrot had just flown overhead, its wings shimmering with deep sapphire blue.