Daniel and Freya walked to the school field together.The graduation ceremony was set up to be festive with two large balloons floating in the sky. The students were all dressed in graduation gowns. Their faces were glowing with anticipation and excitement for the future."Mr. Talbot." Michael hurried over with a bouquet when Daniel finally appeared.Daniel said, "This is my wife, Freya."Michael was stunned. When did he get married? Didn't Thomas say he had been stationed with the military?"Hello, Mrs. Talbot. I'm Mr. Talbot's assistant, Michael Yardley."Freya was slightly reserved as she glanced at Michael, who seemed to be around Daniel's age. "Hello, Mr. Yardley."Daniel took the bouquet from Michael's hand and handed it to her. "This is for you."The bouquet was a lovely mix of white roses and jasmine. She caught Daniel's warning gaze just as she wanted to thank him. The words got caught in her throat. "It's beautiful, and it smells lovely.""Mr. Talbot, the headmaster
Harper's voice came through the phone. "Fae, has your graduation ceremony ended? I saw many people coming out, so I walked around but couldn't find you. I'm waiting for you at the front gate."Freya looked around but didn't spot her. "Where are you? I'm at the gate too.""I'm by the fountain. Do you see me?""I'll be right there."Freya hung up the phone and turned to Daniel. "My best friend's here. I'll go with her.""The one who took you home last time?"She remembered how he had mistaken Harper for a man last time, so she took the initiative and suggested, "How about I introduce you to her?""Sure."She then led Daniel over to meet Harper.The two friends hugged each other as soon as they met. Daniel's brows furrowed slightly with displeasure."How did you get here? I thought you were busy today.""The client canceled on me at the last minute and rescheduled the meeting for tomorrow, so I rushed over to see you."Freya sensed Daniel's gaze behind and immediately introduc
Freya shook her head just as the driver announced they had reached their destination. They thanked him politely and stepped out of the car."Why did you shake your head just now?" Harper asked."We don't sleep in the same room."Harper looked at her in disbelief. "You two must have amazing self-control. You're married!"Freya was puzzled. "Does getting married mean you have to do that?""What do you think? Isn't his family pressuring you to have kids?""I've only met his grandfather, and he did mention it once. I haven't met any other family members."Harper remembered Terence's parents bluntly suggesting having a child within the first year of marriage when she met them. It had led to some tension between them at the time since she was just starting her career and wasn't ready for kids.Terence had a different view from her and constantly tried to move things forward. Those sweet words he had whispered to her during his attempts at intimacy seemed like empty promises now. She
Freya looked at Harper with a questioning gaze. "Do you want to join me for dinner?"Harper couldn't help but laugh. "You silly thing. You're having dinner with your husband. You want me there to be the third wheel?""Are you sure you're not coming? He said we're going to an Italian restaurant. There's going to be risotto." They both loved risotto. "Besides, how could you ever be a third wheel? You're my best friend and like my family."Harper was moved by her words. "No, I'll pass. I still have some design sketches to finish up, so I'll head back to the dorm and get some work done."Freya made a phone call to Daniel. "Harper isn't coming.""Share your location with me. I'll go over to pick you up.""Okay," she answered sweetly before hanging up the phone.They packed up their things and waited outside the mall for Daniel. They saw his car pull up after making a U-turn.Freya knew how busy she and Harper would be with work. Although they lived in the same city, they wouldn't ge
Freya let the warm water cascade over her when she returned home. She thought about how attentive Daniel had been toward her during dinner and felt she shouldn't so easily and comfortably accept his care.Certain thoughts would take root in the mind once they were sparkled.She couldn't help but think of the kiss in the car. Was he punishing her for thanking him, or was it because he genuinely liked her?His kiss under the guise of punishment was just an excuse if he had feelings for her.But what was there about her that would draw him in? Why would he like her?She touched her lips. The feeling of his intense and commanding kiss still lingered. He was at least far more experienced than her.He was already 30. He must have had a girlfriend before. Why was he single later in life?Freya realized her thoughts had drifted and quickly lifted her head as she let the warm water wash over her face. She must have been away from work for too long. Otherwise, her mind wouldn't be so full
Freya remained silent at Daniel's words."It's only a matter of time for us to share a bed if you don't plan on divorcing me," he stated calmly.She licked her lips and was unsure of how to phrase her question. "So… About…""It's up to you." He was much more straightforward as compared to her hesitation.She calmed down after gaining his reassurance. "I have a few questions I'd like to ask you too."He responded, "Go ahead.""Have you ever had a girlfriend before?" she asked, staring intently at him."No." His expression was calm, though he felt pleased inside.She looked at his handsome face and was surprised that he had never been in a relationship with such good looks. Did all the women around him not realize what a catch he was?Yet she secretly felt pleased. She wouldn't have to worry about ex-girlfriends or unrequited loves from his past."Should I move into your room, then?""Up to you. I'm fine sleeping anywhere." She thought about the difference in cleanliness betwe
Freya lay on her side with her back to the window and quietly watched Daniel. She felt her heart racing wildly.Was this what love felt like?Daniel shifted his position and lay on his back with one arm resting casually behind his head just as she was lost in her thoughts."Go to sleep." His voice was low and gentle, tugging on her heartstrings."Goodnight." She took the bolster she had brought from her room and hugged it tightly before closing her eyes in peace.Only when her breathing evened out did Daniel sit up.In the moonlight, he reached for a pack of cigarettes and a lighter that had been sitting untouched on the bedside table for ages.He remembered how she wrinkled her nose at the smell of smoke on him earlier this afternoon and decided it was time to quit. He tossed both the cigarettes and lighter into the kitchen's trash bin.He then took a shower in the bathroom in her room. Standing under the shower, he noticed all her various bath products and finally understood
Only now did Freya realize Daniel was only wearing underwear. The striking outline of his private part was boldly etched into her sight.Her mind flashed to what she had read in books about men's erections in the morning. It was a normal biological reaction like her instinct to stretch when she woke up.However, it was her first time seeing it with her eyes. It was no longer just an illustration in a book or a specimen in the lab. She hadn't expected it to look like this. The elasticity of the corpus cavernosum was truly remarkable.Daniel's stern voice cut through as she was immersed in her academic research. "Freya, aren't you ashamed?"What? Ashamed? Was he seriously asking her if she was ashamed?It was his fault for not dressing properly to sleep, which was why she saw it in the first place.She liked sleeping without clothes too, yet she would still cover up no matter how much she wanted to do that. On the other hand, he slept as he pleased for his own comfort but dared to
Daniel and Freya went home after dinner. Kate didn't make Freya stay for tea as the Talbots could tell that something had shifted between the couple, even though Freya behaved nicely just like before.At home, Daniel stood beside Freya and reached out for her hand, but she stubbornly pried his fingers away and shoved her hands into her pockets.Daniel called the hospital director and got to the bottom of Freya's transfer to the ICU. He explained, "My love, all I wanted was for them to transfer you to the ICU. That's your specialization, isn't it? You've rotated through all the departments in the hospital by now. The emergency department is simply too dangerous."She shut her eyes without a word. She was fuming."I had nothing to do with the letter. The director ordered the intern supervisor to inform you, but it ended up this way," said Daniel."Yeah, you might have nothing to do with the letter, but things wouldn't have happened if you hadn't forcefully transferred me out of th
"Daniel was handsome back in school—the campus hottie, in fact. We studied at an international school. Cole and I had heard about his fame even when we were in middle school." Standing beside Freya, Yvonne explained, "Thankfully, Daniel was a simple-minded guy who spent his time studying and playing basketball."Freya could not recall much from her school. She remembered studying a lot. During break, she rarely stepped out of the classroom apart from going to the bathroom or filling up her water bottle. She had no idea who the campus hottie and campus belle were."Is a campus hottie very popular?"Yvonne looked at her in shock. "Of course! Daniel could never fit his bag into his locker.""Why so?""His bag was filled with love letters and snacks from girls. His classmates often went to him for snacks when they were hungry. Only the love letters were left in the end.""Did many girls write love letters to him?""Of course. The basketball court was super crowded whenever he play
Freya and Daniel visited Talbot Manor for dinner again. Yvonne immediately pulled Freya to her room when Freya stepped foot in the living room. Daniel was accustomed to his family taking Freya away from him whenever he was home."Freya, let me show you something. This is the novel I told you about." Yvonne placed a stack of papers in Freya's hands. She explained, "This is the script that was edited. I got it yesterday. The scriptwriter did a great job adapting the novel.""I'll take a look." Freya flipped through the papers with much interest and read a few pages. From the highlighted dialogues and the notes Yvonne scribbled across the pages, one could tell she was eager to act in the play.The scriptwriter did not change much of the story in the novel except for changing the sequence of events and moving some conflicts to the beginning to suit the audience's taste and to make it easier to film. "So, Freya, how is it?" Yvonne waited eagerly for Freya's review after Freya set the s
Freya comforted Harper, "Both of you willingly arrived at this decision, didn't you? I think Nathan is a decent guy. He can be quite talkative, but he made your mom really happy with his sweet talking on the day your families met for a meal."A smile blossomed on Harper's lips when she recalled the scene. "My parents are very happy with Nathan. They always complain that I'm too mature and calm. I guess that's the nature of women in STEM. Nathan is my complete opposite."Freya thought it was a magical fate. "Your families get along well with each other. The two of you are the only child at home. Your families are small and simple, and your parents are supportive of the marriage. You have no worries in the future. Most importantly, Nathan really loves you."They waited until the waiter served the food before they continued chatting."Harper, a woman is emotional and easily moved. I, too, thought I could casually date Daniel without putting in too much feelings. I thought that was the
Freya was on duty on Tuesday and had the rest of the day off after Monday afternoon.After she wrapped up her Monday afternoon shift, she came across Daniel, Harper, and Nathan at the hospital entrance.It struck her how good Nathan and Harper looked together. Harper was an icy beauty when she stood there in silence, while Nathan always looked like an excited puppy by her side; he wouldn't stop talking.Daniel leaned against his car with a look of disdain, trying his best to keep the couple at arm's length."Why are you guys here? Are you here to pick me up?" chirped Freya.Harper reached out to hold Freya while resting an arm on her shoulder. "Yeah. We're all here to pick you up, Fae."Harper then turned to Daniel. "Mr. Talbot, I'll borrow Fae for the entire afternoon. I'll drop her off at your lobby before 8:00 pm."With that, she left with Freya."Harper, aren't we having lunch together? It's our first day of marriage. Can Daniel and I join you?" Nathan yelled from behind.
At home, Daniel hugged Freya. "My love, when's our wedding?"She dodged his kiss. "I don't want one.""Why?"Smiling, she replied, "For no reason other than it's a chore.""You seemed very absorbed in the event just now to the point you forgot to eat." He greedily kissed her on the neck. "Why aren't you interested in throwing your own wedding?"She smiled. "Well, I had to listen to what they were saying. I'd look bad if I ate without paying attention."Daniel cupped her pretty face in his hands and gave her a tender look. "Do you not want a wedding because of fear?"She retorted, "Tell me, what do I have to fear?""Well, you don't have a family."She immediately teared up."Alright, alright, I shall shut up now. Come, give me a hug." Daniel felt sorry when he saw her eyes, which were red from crying. He pulled her into his arms and coaxed her, "We won't have a wedding if you don't want one. You have the final say. Please don't cry. I was wrong. I won't bring it up again or fo
Freya sat at the dining table in a private room of a hotel. She was surrounded by the six members of the York and Sanders families. Daniel was by her side. What had started as Harper's blind date with George that morning had now turned into a discussion about marriage between Harper and Nathan. Watching the joyful harmony between the two families, Freya felt happy for Harper. Since Nathan had appeared at the café, Freya hadn't had a moment to speak privately with Harper. Initially, she and Daniel weren't meant to be part of this meeting. But Harper insisted, saying, "Freya is family to me. I need her here." Nathan also invited Daniel along. Under the table, Freya reached for Daniel's hand. He grasped hers firmly. Leaning in, he whispered, "What's on your mind?" "Nothing. I've never gone through this process before. I can see that Erica is happy on the surface, but deep down, she's a little reluctant and worried." "It makes sense. A mother's heart is always heavy when
Harper understood now. She glanced at Nathan, who was slumped over with his head hanging low. "Mrs. Turner, let me briefly introduce myself." Freya stared at Harper in disbelief. What was she doing? Was she trying to sell herself too?"I'm 26 years old, a certified architectural engineer employed by a state-owned enterprise. I've passed all the professional certifications I'm eligible for at this stage. My parents recently retired, and we've fully paid for a new house, which is currently being renovated. We're also refurbishing a shop, so at the moment, I'm carrying some debt." Nathan, who had been dejected moments earlier, perked up immediately. "Debt isn't an issue! I have savings, a salary, and even some retirement benefits from my service…" "Don't interrupt her." Kelly patted Nathan's shoulder, signaling him to calm down. "I've been in a relationship before. It started in my freshman year and lasted seven years. But we never lived together." She then looked at Nathan
Freya followed the voice and noticed a woman approaching them with a warm smile. She was dressed in a long back down coat. Though she showed signs of age with fine wrinkles on her face, her demeanor exuded elegance and composure. Her every movement was a delight to watch. "Mom!" Nathan stood up. Her presence caught him off guard. Ignoring her son, Kelly Turner placed her belongings with him and squeezed into the seat beside him. Nathan shifted to make room for her. He silently prayed that she wouldn't ruin his plans. Without hesitation, Kelly grabbed his phone and opened up his Venmo QR code. She smiled and held it up to Harper. "You must be Harper, right?" "Yes, I am. Nice to meet you, ma'am." Like Freya, Harper was taken aback. She was unsure what Kelly was up to. Nonetheless, she had to be polite. "Ma'am? You can just call me 'Mrs. Turner.'" "Uh… Mrs. Turner. Mr. Sanders and I are not really that close. This is only the second time I've met him." "It doesn't m