Chapter298 – Clarissa… I love you
His eyes reddened slightly, his breathing unsteady.
“Clarissa…”
“Hm?”
“It’s nothing.” He turned his head away.
The feeling he thought he’d buried surged back to life. His Clarissa—sweet, radiant, devastatingly beautiful. He wanted to possess her, to keep her for himself alone.
That familiar, monstrous urge stirred again, like a beast breaking its chains—greedy, ravenous, soaked in dark desire. Once, he had let that madness grow unchecked, until it consumed him entirely.
Atticus took several deep breaths, forcing it down. He tightened his grip on her hand and followed her in silence.
Clarissa noticed everything. She said nothing, pretending not to see, and tugged him forward as they walked.
......
Oriana slept until the afternoon. Hungry and disoriented, she dragged herself out to find something to eat—only to run straight into Clarissa and her companion, walking hand in hand.
“You two…” Oriana immediately sensed the shift in atmosphere. Last night, then?
To confirm her suspicion, she hurried forward.
“Good morning, Miss Clarissa.”
Clarissa glanced at her, catching the gleam of curiosity in her eyes.
“Morning?”
Oriana looked at the setting sun outside and coughed awkwardly, rubbing her nose.
“I just woke up and was heading to the restaurant. You two…”
“We’ve already eaten,” Clarissa said lightly. “Go on. Don’t starve.”
As she watched them walk away, Oriana recalled the questions Clarissa had asked her before. She clicked her tongue silently.
Miss Clarissa… you really know how to play the game.
.......
Atticus led Clarissa up to the highest level of the cruise ship—a secluded glass-deck platform reserved exclusively for him. The space was quiet, shielded from the bustle below. They sat together on the transparent floor, Clarissa curled comfortably in his arms as the sky burned red with the setting sun.
“I’ve wanted to watch a sunset like this for so long,” she murmured. “Just quietly… It’s beautiful.”
“Mmm.” Atticus answered absentmindedly.
His attention never once settled on the horizon.
Bathed in golden light, the woman in his arms looked almost unreal—her long black hair glowing softly, her lips red as embers. She leaned lazily against his chest, relaxed and trusting.
Too beautiful.
He stared at her, unwilling to miss even a second.
Sensing his gaze, Clarissa instinctively looked up—and caught him watching her intently.
“…Were you staring at me the whole time?”
“Atticus,” she scolded lightly, turning her head away, “don’t look at me. The sunset is right there. If we miss it now, it’ll be gone.”
“I think Clarissa is prettier,” he replied quietly.
No view in the world compares to you.
She froze, her heartbeat suddenly loud in her ears.
Then she turned fully and wrapped her arms around him. “The sunset is beautiful because you’re watching it with someone you love. That’s why it feels so special… right?”
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
Atticus opened his mouth to respond—but she kissed him first.
Her lips were soft, sweet, carrying a faint fragrance that instantly shattered his composure. Reason collapsed. His mind went blank. He rolled them over, pulling her tightly against him as the kiss deepened.
When they finally parted, both were breathless.
Clarissa rested against his chest, cheeks flushed, eyes shimmering.
Happiness had arrived too suddenly—so overwhelming it felt unreal.
Atticus held her as if afraid she might vanish, his voice breaking despite himself.
“Clarissa… I love you.”
Since last night, everything had felt unreal. He’d even wondered if the drug was still affecting him. Otherwise, how could she be here—alive, warm, pressed so close to him?
Then Clarissa hugged him back.
She closed her eyes, a single tear slipping silently down her cheek. Her voice was gentle, steady, sincere.
“I love Atticus too… so much.”
This time, she wanted to truly feel his love.
“Atticus,” she whispered, “let’s go back.”
“Don’t you want to finish watching the sunset?”
She shook her head. “No. The sunset is beautiful… but right now, I only want to look at you.”
His heart skipped violently.
Without hesitation, Atticus lifted her into his arms and turned away.
By the time they descended, a crowd had already gathered on the lower decks.
Once back inside, Atticus spoke quietly. “Clarissa… someone was taking photos of us.”
“Let them,” she replied casually.
He frowned slightly. “Those pictures might end up online.”
Clarissa paused mid-stretch, then rolled over and nestled against his chest, gazing at him thoughtfully.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Don’t you want our relationship to be public?”
It was a warm day. She was wearing the blue sundress Atticus had chosen for her. Draped over him like this, her curves were impossible to ignore.
His heart raced as he instinctively tightened his grip on her waist.
“No,” he said quickly. “I was worried you wouldn’t be comfortable.”
She’d always been hesitant before—because…
“Clarissa,” he added quietly, “I’m six years younger than you.”
She paused, then nodded. “Six years… that is a bit much. It does bring trouble.”
Disappointment flickered in his eyes. So she really did mind—
Then she laughed.
Leaning into his chest, she teased, “You’re that much younger than me—won’t I grow old faster than you?”
“No!” Atticus pulled her into a tight embrace. “With me here, you’ll always be beautiful.”
She smiled, then sighed softly. “Alright. I believe you.”
“…You really don’t mind?” he asked, carefully. Cautiously.
He never understood why Clarissa had resisted him so strongly back then—especially when he’d once been nothing more than her younger brother.
Clarissa sensed his confusion and explained seriously, “Silly Atticus. I don’t mind. I was just worried.”
“If anyone’s benefiting here, it’s me,” she added lightly. “Who wouldn’t like a younger, energetic man?”
She had simply been more rational than most.
She would age faster. Her career would peak sooner. One day, he would still be climbing higher while she stood quietly at his side.
Atticus was someone born to create miracles.
And she—
She wasn’t complaining. She’d only been insecure.
But now…
Before he could say anything else, Clarissa pushed him back onto the sofa and kissed him, sealing his lips.
She straddled him, smiling as his eyes widened in surprise.
“Let’s not talk about this anymore,” she said. “Who doesn’t like a young, energetic man?”
She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes.
“From now on, you’re mine. Age—or anything else—can’t take you away from me.”
Atticus lay there, staring up at the white ceiling, crystal lights shimmering above him like a dream.
For a moment, he truly wondered—
Was he still dreaming?
And was this really the Clarissa he knew?
Feeling the warmth of her soft body against his, Atticus thought that if this were a dream, he wouldn’t mind never waking up.
“But if you like younger men,” he asked quietly, a trace of unease in his voice, “what happens when you meet someone younger than me… prettier than me?”
“Pfft.” Clarissa laughed softly. “What kind of silly question is that?”
“Just answer me,” he insisted, stubbornly.
She cupped his face with both hands, her expression suddenly serious despite the smile in her eyes. “I only need Atticus,” she said gently. “Whether he’s twenty, thirty, forty—or any other age.”
Her tone was light, almost teasing, but the sincerity in her gaze made his heart pound uncontrollably.
As if needing proof that this wasn’t a dream, Atticus rolled over, trapping her beneath him, and kissed her fiercely.
“Mmm…”
There was urgency in the way he kissed her, rougher than before, as though he were trying to brand the moment into reality—to consume her completely. Clarissa shifted beneath him, uncomfortable at first, but soon her body softened, yielding instinctively.
Just as his movements grew more demanding, her voice broke softly, edged with distress. “No…”
She pressed her hand down beneath her skirt, which had already ridden up to her thighs, forcing her legs together.
Atticus paused, his gaze dark and burning. “What’s wrong?” he asked, voice low. “Still uncomfortable?”
Despite the desire raging through him, he waited—patient, controlled.
Under his intense stare, Clarissa felt dry-throated. She hesitated, then nodded slightly. “My back still aches… and it hurts down there too.”
She hadn’t been intimate in a long time. She needed time to adjust. As impressive as his stamina was, the frequency alone was already pushing her limits.
Atticus exhaled slowly, shifted, and pulled her into his arms instead, holding her from the side. He kissed her deeply several times, inhaling her familiar scent until the tension in his body gradually eased.
“Then you’ll have to make it up to me twice over next time,” he murmured at last.
There was a note of grievance in his voice, almost petulant—like a child denied his favorite candy. Clarissa found it amusing. No matter how grown he was, some things hadn’t changed at all.
She stroked the back of his head and hugged him gently. “Alright,” she said softly. “I promise.”
......
On the way back, considering the Black Hawk’s transit complications, Atticus arranged a private jet instead.
He carried both suitcases effortlessly in one hand, a massive black eagle perched atop the luggage as though it belonged there.
Clarissa looped her arm through his and leaned against his shoulder. Her eyes were soft as water, her features delicate, her shoulders faintly flushed like peach blossoms in bloom.
Once home, a new question arose.
Whose place would they stay at?
Clarissa naturally wanted him to move in with her. Atticus’s house was far too bare, its color palette rigid and cold.
She tugged at his sleeve, coaxing softly. “Atticus, move in with me. My place is bigger…”
He hesitated. “But… Abyss doesn’t seem to like me. Would it be unhappy if I moved in?”
Clarissa glanced at the black eagle perched on the suitcase, then had a sudden idea. “Abyss is staying with a close friend of mine. Why don’t we send the eagle there too? Let them get used to each other first.”
Atticus smiled faintly and nodded. “That makes sense. Eagles aren’t meant to stay indoors anyway—they need space to fly.”
So Atticus stayed behind to handle the move, while Clarissa drove to Phoenix’s place to settle the eagle.
.......
Halfway there, her phone rang.
“Phoenix…”
“Clarissa, why are you leaving already?” Phoenix protested. “You finally came all this way—stay a little longer! Even if you don’t stay, at least let me see you. It’s been ages.”
“I have things to take care of,” Clarissa replied calmly. “We’ll make plans another time.”
Phoenix sighed regretfully. “Such a shame. I should’ve stayed home today.”
Clarissa smiled slightly. “We’ll meet again soon.”
Her words carried meaning as she hung up.
As Phoenix’s voice faded, Clarissa looked out at the changing scenery and sighed softly.
For now… this was enough.
.....
She’d only been gone for an hour or two, but when Clarissa returned home, the place was spotless.
The bedroom and living room were immaculate. The kitchen cabinets and refrigerator were completely stocked.
She opened a cupboard and froze.
Medicinal soups, herbs, ingredients—everything was there, exactly as before.
She rushed to the bathroom. Towels hung neatly in place. An electric toothbrush and cup sat beside the sink.
She picked one up. Same brand. The same as hers.