Chapter: 231

Lilliana hit his chest lightly. "I'm not worked up. I just miss you,” she said.

Joshua was feeling the absence of intimacy.

He couldn't seek comfort with Alicia, and Lilliana's pregnancy complicated things.

His mood was visibly downcast.

Lilliana noticed his distraction. "What's on your mind? Thinking about someone else?" she teased.

Joshua hesitated, then dismissed the idea.

"Someone else? Hardly." He quickly changed the subject. "We're running low on my father's medicine. It's rare, and only certain individuals, like Caden, can get it."

Lilliana sensed an underlying issue. "Is Caden causing trouble again?"

"He's always a potential problem as long as he's around," Joshua confessed.

Lilliana soothed him by tracing patterns on his chest. “Don't fret about the medicine. My father can arrange something if Caden becomes difficult. It's manageable."

Joshua relaxed, reassured by her support. "Lilliana, you always know what to say."

Lilliana's eyes were sultry.

Just a few months into her pregnancy, Lilliana and Joshua had kept their physical intimacy in check after a few close calls that nearly jeopardized the baby's safety.

Consequently, they had adopted a more cautious approach lately.

"Joshua, I've taken care of you so many times already. Isn't it your turn?" she murmured, nestling closer to him.

Typically, Joshua would not hesitate under such circumstances.

However, today, as he reached under Lilliana's clothes, he recoiled suddenly.

This unexpected reaction took him by surprise, causing him to gasp.

Lilliana was taken aback.

She was aware of her allure and knew Joshua was enamored with her physique, which made his current reaction all the more baffling.

"Are you repulsed?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Joshua, does my pregnancy repel you?" she demanded, her anger rising.

Joshua was just as perplexed by his own reaction.

He couldn't understand why he felt such a sudden change.

Lilliana's temper flared, and she made a move to leave the bed.

Joshua was concerned for her well-being and that of their unborn child. He quickly assured her, "I'm merely tired today and not feeling myself. It has nothing to do with disgust."

In her frustration, Lilliana slapped him sharply across the face.

Joshua was shocked.

So was Lilliana. She instinctively reached to touch his face, showing remorse.

Despite her strong-willed nature, she understood the significance of pride to a man and regretted her impulsive action.