My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse - Chapter 364

Chapter 364: Chapter 364 Duke’s Redemption
Kisha broke his reverie with a gentle smile. “Baby brother, don’t tell our grandparents just yet. I want to be the one to share the news with them. Besides, Duke and I plan to exchange our vows in City A, where the whole family can be present.” She smiled at Keith, knowing full well how protective he was of her.

If only she had listened to his disapproval of that jerk in the past, perhaps Duke wouldn’t have had to die, and she wouldn’t have been betrayed by those snakes.

That’s why she wanted Keith to accept Duke first, to solidify their bond as true brothers-in-law. In her previous life, Keith and Duke had been just as close as she was to Duke; they treated each other like real brothers. Kisha was confident that, even in this life, Keith would grow to like Duke just the same.

“Okay…” Keith muttered, still looking a bit dazed, his mind clearly elsewhere. Kisha decided to let him process it in his own time—after all, the news was a lot to take in. It had only been half a month since she left for City B with Duke, and now they were returning as husband and wife. She figured he just needed a moment to digest everything they’d just dropped on him.

‘Even a single day facing life and death with someone can feel like a decade,’ Kisha thought, ‘because in those moments, when you’re at your most vulnerable, you truly discover who will stand by your side, no matter the cost.’

After catching up with Keith and discussing the developments in City A, Duke and Kisha took some time to train together. They consumed Scarlet Honey to boost their stats and fortify their foundations. Once they were done, exhaustion set in, and they both collapsed into bed, the day’s intensity still lingering in the air.

As Kisha lay in bed, Duke wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her tightly by the waist. His warm breath brushed her skin as he planted soft kisses on her cheeks and forehead, showering her with affection.

“Wifey, can you forgive me?” Duke’s voice broke the quiet, catching her off guard. Kisha’s eyes, which had been peacefully shut, fluttered open at his unexpected question.

“For what?”

“Um, I know I’ve been a bit domineering and clingy lately, always thinking about how I feel and trying to get close to you in every way possible,” Duke began, his voice soft and uncertain. He hesitated for a moment, the vulnerability clear in his tone. “Especially when it comes to… making love.”

Duke nervously clutched Kisha as if she were his lifeline. He knew he had been overly focused on being close to her, maybe even pushing things too far without considering her feelings or their circumstances.

What troubled him most was that he hadn’t anticipated feeling this way, so consumed by his desire for her. He simply couldn’t help himself when it came to Kisha, and the thought that he might have overwhelmed her weighed heavily on his mind.

He wasn’t sure if it was because he liked her too much or if it was the result of years of restraint, having distanced himself from women for so long. Now, with the dam broken, his desire for her felt insatiable. All he knew was that he wanted to be with her in every possible way, as if making up for lost time.

“I’ve grown so accustomed to being in control—telling others what I want and how things should be done—that I failed to recognize how I sometimes overlooked your feelings. I realize now that I can be too pushy, putting you in uncomfortable situations without meaning to.”

“I truly apologize for that. I’ll do better, and I promise to listen to everything you have to say,” Duke said, his voice trembling with sincerity. He spoke as if he feared that Kisha might be on the verge of leaving him, his regret palpable.

After the call with her little brother, Duke realized how quickly everything had unfolded. He had bound Kisha to him without even informing her family first, and the revelation had hit Keith like a bombshell. He could only imagine the impact it would have on her grandparents when they eventually found out.

He felt deeply regretful; this wasn’t how a marriage should begin. He should have waited to meet her family and properly ask for her hand in marriage. It was a matter of basic decency, and he had failed to uphold it.

But then again, throughout his journey with Kisha while saving his family, he had seen how vulnerable human life could be so he really didn’t want to wait that long, because he didn’t even know when shit would hit the fan or if one of them would die prematurely.

“I’m sorry if I’ve gotten carried away with you. This is my first real relationship, and I haven’t been very open or understanding in the past. I realize now how important it is to communicate and connect on a deeper level.”

“So, when I got you, I was almost clueless about everything that I thought, as long as I could be physically close to you and be with you, you’ll understand my heart, but maybe I am also doing it wrong.”

Duke’s voice trembled as he buried his face in the crook of Kisha’s neck. “I am willing to do better and follow what makes you comfortable and make you feel good in all sorts of ways because I am happy seeing you happy and I feel sad when you are sad.”

“But you know, when I first experienced intimacy with the woman I love, I became hooked. My body craves it, and my mind keeps replaying those euphoric moments, no matter what I’m doing or where I am.”

“I know, I might sound like I’m making excuses and I don’t want to come off as being negligent and dismissive of your feelings. So, would you tell me if I am making you feel uncomfortable?”

“Would you forgive me? Hmm?” Duke’s voice sounded so alluringly captivating but with a hint of fear of being rejected.

Kisha turned around, and Duke adjusted his position, still clinging to her. Now, his face was buried in her chest, seeking solace. In this vulnerable moment, he let his raw emotions show, allowing himself to be completely open and honest with her.

He stole a glance at her face from beneath his lowered gaze, trembling with anticipation. This was a level of vulnerability he had never shown anyone before—not even his parents—and the fear of how Kisha might perceive him gnawed at him. He was terrified she would see him as weak or find fault in his actions, each worry amplifying his anxiety.

Hearing Duke’s heartfelt words, a tender smile spread across Kisha’s lips. She longed to be as close to him and share in the intimacy he craved.

Yet, the scars of her 99 lifetimes had left their mark, causing her to subconsciously recoil from the very feelings she wanted to embrace. Despite her deep desire to be with Duke, her past experiences clouded her responses, making her fear the intimacy she so deeply yearned for.