The Villainess Wants a Divorce:Beast Husbands Regret It to Tears-Chapter 140: Hot and Cold

After she said that, her heart involuntarily beat a bit faster.

In this perilous forest, emotions are a luxury, and rationality is the key to survival.

Instead of begging humbly, it’s better to exchange tangible things for temporary protection.

Seraphina Caldwell gently slid her finger, and a drop of blood oozed from her fingertip.

She knew that besides trade, their current relationship wasn’t reliable for anything else.

So, she chose the most direct way to achieve her goal.

Kaelan Hawthorne paused his hand, then turned and walked toward a small tree nearby.

After a while, a crooked yet usable wooden basin that could hold water took shape.

He blew away a chip that clung to it and wiped his dagger casually on his pants.

"The riverside is dangerous, I’ll fetch water. You wait here."

After speaking, he carried the wooden basin and headed to the river.

The riverside was indeed unsafe.

He knew she was unwilling to stay alone, but he couldn’t tolerate her shadowing him all the time.

Seraphina followed behind, keeping five or six steps away.

She didn’t dare to stay alone.

Yesterday’s wild boar incident made her realize that there’s no safe spot in this forest.

Following closely behind Kaelan could keep her alive a bit longer.

She had seen Kaelan’s strength firsthand.

As long as he was willing to let her travel together, even if only temporarily, it could sustain her a bit longer.

Kaelan took a few steps, and the sound of footsteps followed behind him.

He glanced back and understood as he saw her following.

The river was dangerous, but staying alone was equally mortal.

He knew what she was afraid of.

This forest never shows mercy and won’t slow its killing pace just because someone is alone.

The safest way was to follow him.

He realized this clearly, and so did she.

Therefore, she chose a compromise strategy.

Kaelan discovered that Seraphina was much more clear-headed than he thought.

He had assumed she would collapse, losing judgment in a life-and-death crisis.

But Seraphina didn’t.

She knew that the male could protect her, so she didn’t desperately avoid him, but she didn’t fully trust him either.

She never reached out for tasks she could handle herself.

Only when she really couldn’t manage did she ask for help.

But asking came with a price, like a drop of blood.

She always adhered to the principle of never taking others’ things for free.

Kaelan reached the river, swiftly filled the basin with water, and when he turned, he met her gaze focused intently on the water surface.

Seraphina’s eyes were locked on the river, fingers quietly gripping the dagger at her waist.

Any slight movement and she would immediately retreat.

Kaelan walked over and handed the basin to her.

Seraphina took the basin and said, "Thank you." again.

Kaelan watched her back.

Her shoulders were thin, her back straight, seemingly effortless.

But he knew that the wooden basin wasn’t light, especially once filled with water, it weighed at least seven or eight pounds.

He had intended to take the basin and carry it to the campfire.

In the moment he raised his hand, he restrained himself and pulled it back.

She didn’t need sympathy, nor did she like charity.

But her distant demeanor made him feel stuffy inside.

Seraphina didn’t hurry to wash her face and instead checked the surroundings in a circle.

Only when sure of no disturbances did she squat down and slowly wash her face.

Kaelan’s brows furrowed even tighter.

Even with him sitting nearby, she was still only focused on observing the surroundings, her body tense.

She wasn’t distrustful of him but rather of the environment.

In a place like this, the longer one survives, the more they understand that true safety never comes from others.

Yesterday he had intended to see how Seraphina dealt with beasts alone, so he didn’t intervene.

But he was ready, as soon as she was in danger, he’d rush up to save her.

He thought she’d call his name, voice trembling, asking him to save her.

After all, before, she’d scream if a bug crawled near, let alone face an adult wild boar alone.

But unexpectedly, that seemingly frail girl gritted her teeth and faced the beast head-on by herself.

She dodged left and right and eventually stabbed the beast’s throat with her short blade.

Though covered in wounds, she didn’t utter a sound.

She held the short blade in her mouth, using her knees and elbows to brace against the tree bark, inching her way up.

Her nails were split, her fingertips bled, yet she didn’t turn to look at him once.

He wasn’t trying to make things difficult for her.

He just...

Just wanted to hear her say one sentence.

"Help me."

Even if it was just a weak request, he would rush over without hesitation to protect her.

But she never uttered a word.

She just gritted her teeth, step by step, finding her own path, enduring it by herself.

But she hadn’t been like this before.

At that time, she was always nestled among male tribesmen.

Every time he brought back game to roast, even if he didn’t control the heat and the meat was charred, she’d still smile and nod.

"It’s delicious."

Back then, she would voluntarily snuggle against his shoulder for warmth.

Kaelan stared at the side of her face, his eyes dimming.

Seraphina finished washing her hands, her eyes fixed on the skewer of meat in his hand.

She neither urged him nor shifted her gaze, just sat quietly.

Seeing her obedient demeanor, Kaelan suddenly felt an itch inside.

He wanted to tease her, to see her blush.

So, he smirked slightly, deliberately raising the skewer in his hand.

"Want a bite?"

Seraphina nodded, her gaze still on the skewer.

"Too bad, you can either roast it yourself, or... ask me nicely for a bite."

As he said this, his body slightly leaned forward.

Instead, she glared at him, then abruptly stood up and turned away.

Seraphina walked over to the side, bent down, and picked up a straight branch.

She skillfully trimmed off the excess twigs with her short knife.

Then she took out a small piece of meat from her bag and neatly skewered it on that branch.

Next, she gracefully moved to the other side of the campfire, squatted down, and began roasting it herself.

Kaelan’s smile froze instantly.

He stared at her back, which didn’t turn his way, and his throat tightened.

The fire in his heart grew fiercer. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

She could do everything.

She didn’t need his help or protection, not even for roasting meat, which she did better than he did.

She didn’t need those few Beast Husbands at all.

Once the contract was broken, those pursuing her might line up to the other side of the mountain.

But what kind of woman in the world is like this?

Something must be off.

What exactly was she aiming for?

Kaelan suddenly stood up and snatched her branch, throwing it harshly into the campfire with a "smack".

"Why can’t you just say help me? Must you always struggle on your own? Is that so impressive?"

Seraphina was startled by him.

She looked up at him, her mind filled with questions.

What’s gotten into this fox?

Just now he was deliberately withholding meat, and now he’s inexplicably rushing to do the task himself.

Hot and cold, is he sick?

Even if he is confused, this performance is too blatant.

She didn’t try to snatch the branch back, standing up silently, and walked over to the wooden basin to wash her hands thoroughly.

She casually grabbed the delicate silver chain hanging from her neck, lightly squeezed it, and a droplet of blood immediately surfaced.

She lifted her hand, bringing it to Kaelan’s chest, and lightly dabbed that drop of blood on the Beast Seal in the center of his chest.

"This is the fourth time now."

"After six more drops, this wretched mark will be completely gone."

Kaelan looked down at his chest.

The deep purple pattern, which was once dark as ink, had considerably faded now.