Chapter 100

• Charlotte's eyes blazed, wrenching her elbow free from Howard's iron grip, defiance surging past embarrassment. "No," she snapped, stepping back, voice steel despite her racing pulse. "I won't be commanded into your bed like some possession. Not after everything—your hospital rage, Anastasia's venom, our past." She jabbed a finger at his chest, the towel nearly slipping unnoticed. "Force me again, and I'll sleep in the damn hallway."
• Howard's jaw ticked, dark eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, towering closer with predatory calm. "Resist all you want, wife," he growled low, breath hot against her ear. "That bed's ours now. Or need I remind you of that brutal kiss in the hospital? How you melted despite yourself—next time, I won't stop there. Try me." His words dripped threat, split lip curling faintly, evoking the raw, punishing claim that left her breathless earlier.
• Fear and memory flashed; her resistance cracked under the vivid recall—his mouth crushing hers, unyielding power. Breath ragged, she sagged, defeated. "Fine. But I need my clothes. Not whatever excess this room holds."