Warning: Mention of sexual content that is unsuitable for children. Reader’s discretion is advised.

  After the wedding ceremony and banquet were over, Jun and Xavier went to Xavier’s pce. It was a modern penthouse apartment in the central business district, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the bustling city streets below. In order for him to afford and own it, he must have a certain background, connections, and wealth.

  Jun sat cross-legged on Xavier’s bed, her chin resting on her hand as she gazed at the vivid painting on his bedroom wall. All of the sudden, she realised how low profile Xavier had been. Everything about his home, from the silk sheets on his bed to the custom clothes in his wardrobes, revealed that he lived in a p of luxury.

  While she could get some basic information from her mission, the rest of his background remained shrouded in mystery. After all, the thought of investigating him never crossed her mind, since his real identity was irrelevant to her pns.

  But now that she was his wife, she should have some understanding of his past and untold stories that made him who he was.

  Right before Jun could ponder about it, Xavier stepped out of the shower, water still dripping from his hair, his bck bathrobe barely concealing his damp skin. He still wore the rose ring as if unwilling to part with it.

  Noticing her serious face, Xavier asked with concern.

  “Baby, is everything okay?”

  Hearing that endearing, intimate nickname jolted Jun back to reality. She blinked, her gaze nding on his face, and a warm blush crept up her neck.

  Not even Liam had ever called her with such a sweet and intimate nickname, but Xavier did. Even though they only knew each other for less than a year, the intimacy in his voice when he called her felt both unfamiliar yet strangely natural.

  As far as she could remember, she rarely entered retionships willingly since she disliked entanglement, knowing she would eventually have to leave. Yet for Xavier… she seemed willing to go back on her word. Though aware she might hurt him in the future, she chose, for now, to give him her wholehearted love.

  Once the news of her marriage had been settled, she pnned to propose a divorce, offering him generous compensation for the time invested in their retionship.

  Perhaps, after discovering how selfishly she used him, he might eventually find a way to move on. Better yet, he might find someone even more suitable.

  “I’m fine.” Jun looked away, not realising a flicker of doubt crossed her face, as if the impulsive decision to marry him had just hit her.

  Xavier stared intently at Jun, then sighed. As if reading her mind, he ruffled his already tousled hair, the dark strands falling across his forehead like a curtain as a cunning grin appeared on his lips. “Having second thoughts? It’s too te.”

  “Now that we’re married,” he said, his voice dripping with a hint of possessiveness he didn't realise. “I won’t let you get rid of me so easily.” Then he knelt before her and took her hand, his calloused fingers gently intertwining with hers.

  A shudder ran through her as she saw his usually kind eyes, now clouded with an unsettling obsession, their familiar warmth gone, repced by an intense gaze that seemed to want to devour her whole.

  Jun unconsciously tightened her grip. She asked, “Don’t you understand? I’m only using you to protect my marriage and reputation.”

  “So?”

  With a chuckle, Xavier leaned in and quickly pecked her lips, silencing her st bit of hesitation.

  “It doesn’t matter as long as I’m with you now.”

  “You will regret this.” Jun frowned, attempting to reason with Xavier, but her frustrated expression only made him want to tease her more.

  Unbeknownst to her, Xavier had long seen through the absence of love in her gaze when she looked at Liam. Realising this, his yearning for her grew stronger with each passing day, but he didn’t make a move because she was already with someone else.

  Now that they were officially married, even if she wouldn’t reciprocate his feelings, he would wait a lifetime for her affection, clinging to this retionship until he die.

  That’s why he had nothing to regret.

  He wouldn’t risk losing her like Liam had because he knew she would be his one and only.

  “Really?” Xavier pressed close, one leg bent on the bed, the other on the floor, caging Jun in between his body and the bed. He looked down, then gently lifted her chin, stroking her cheek as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear with a smile that was both alluring and dangerous. In a low, husky voice, he said, “For now, I know I want you. I like you.”

  Before Jun could react, Xavier kissed her fiercely, his teeth lightly grazing her soft lips as their tongues intertwined. He wrapped his hand behind her neck, fingers tangled in her hair as he pressed her body against his as if trying to merge into one. Each passionate exchange sent jolts of electricity through their skin, a tingling sensation that made them shiver. When their lips finally separated, he gasped for air, his heart pounding hard, desperate for more.

  Xavier’s eyes fshed darkly, filled with barely suppressed desire.

  “If you’re feeling uncomfortable and want to stop this, tell me now.”

  It was clear his desire was almost burning his rationality.

  Jun bit her swollen lip, her cheeks flushed. Heat had already consumed her mind and body. Seconds ter, she answered him with a kiss.

  Xavier’s eyes widened, the dark pupils diting until they seemed to swallow the light, leaving behind a scorching and intense gaze.

  Receiving her consent, the remaining hesitation in his heart vanished.

  In an instant, Xavier’s grip tightened around her waist as he ripped away her bathrobe, revealing her fair skin. Pulling away from the kiss, he gradually moved downward, marking her neck and chest with rough kisses. As he reached between her thighs, he was struck by the lingering heat that almost made him lose control.

  Acting on instinct, he slowly sunk his fingers into the soft and moist flesh, digging deeper.

  Jun let out a moan as she accepted the intrusion. Once she grew accustomed to his touch, Xavier pulled his hand away, leaving her with a sense of emptiness. Before she could rex, he suddenly plunged in, remaining still until she adjusted to his long, hard length.

  Jun arched her back, a muffled moan escaping her lips as she clung to him, her nails digging into his skin, leaving a trail of red marks.

  “Jun…”

  Xavier panted, feeling the heat wrapped and tightened on him. A sense of deep satisfaction settled into his bones, finally calming his restless soul. He held her hips firmly against his waist and began to move, shifting his body rhythmically inside her, filling them both with immense pleasure.

  “Xavier…”

  Jun moaned, tears streaming down her face from the indescribable pleasure as a burning desire consumed her, begging him to quench it. He kept on invading her, leaving no inch intact.

  “My baby…” Xavier whispered hoarsely while he inhaled her sweet scent on her neck, staring deeply into her teary blue eyes, which seemed to hold his entire heart. Then, as if obsessed, he moved to the corner of her eye and brushed his lips against her skin.

  “I love you.”

  When he confessed, a wave of happiness washed over him, his heart swelling until it felt like it would burst. Pushing himself in deeply, he finally released inside her.

  Jun felt a deep, consuming heat filling her to the hilt, ciming her body and soul, and soon after, she came.

  Xavier took a deep breath, feeling as if his soul was about to be hollowed out. In the end, he continued to love Jun thoroughly even as morning arrived.

  When Jun finally regained her consciousness, the familiar scent of Xavier filled her nose as she felt a comforting warmth flowing down her aching back, melting away her fatigue. Drowsily, she opened her eyes and stared at the smiling man who was washing her tenderly. But she didn’t realise that her alluring gnce, the sight of her swollen lips and rosy cheeks, ignited his desire to embrace her again, though he forced himself to restrain himself.

  “Xavier,” Jun called his name, startled by her hoarse voice. “When did you get the ring?”

  Hearing her question, Xavier kept silent, but it didn’t st long. With a serious look in his eyes, he looked at her intently as his hand gently caressed her face.

  “The moment I realised my feelings, I bought that ring. But if you don’t like it, we can always get you a different one.”

  Jun chuckled, amused by the affection she had seen in his eyes. Before another wave of drowsiness hit her, in a good mood, she said, “Hmm, then let’s get you one that matches mine.”

  Right after saying that, she drifted off to sleep, her head resting on his chest, sinking into the warmth of his embrace.

  She didn't know the impact of the words she had left on him.

  Xavier stared at the blue diamond on her silver ring like a brand seared into his heart. Then he leaned down, kissing her forehead, wishing his happiness would never end.

  After that, they bought matching rings before setting off for their honeymoon overseas. Although it was thrown together at the st minute, it didn’t stop them from enjoying themselves. During their one month honeymoon, they explored the world, experiencing different cultures and cuisines.

  The first week. Jun and Xavier went to Tokyo, sightseeing amongst the pink cherry blossoms, followed by a rexing stay at a vish inn complete with a private hot spring.

  The second week. They travelled to Cappadocia, hiking through the Ihra Valley before completing their trip there with a ride on a hot air balloon above the otherworldly rock formations.

  The third week. They strolled through Parisian streets while they searched for delectable French desserts to indulge and masterpieces to admire in world-renowned museums. Before they left, they kissed at the top of the Eiffel Tower, concluding their journey in the City of Love.

  Reaching Reykjavík in their st week, they boarded a ferry to Videy Isnd, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ethereal northern lights across the night sky.

  As the time came to leave, they carried not only many souvenirs, but also unforgettable memories.

  On the way back, Jun and Xavier were on the flight enjoying their rest. The flight attendant offered a bnket, which he gratefully accepted, and he draped it over Jun to keep her warm. Xavier smiled, watching Jun’s peaceful sleeping face, illuminated by the soft moonlight. Remembering their weeks together, his heart softened and he couldn’t resist nding a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  By the time they nded, it was almost morning. Xavier and Jun walked out of the airport hand in hand before they took a cab back to Xavier’s home.

  At his house, Jun carefully pced all the interesting knickknacks they had bought, arranging them on shelves and tables. Xavier let her express her creativity as he unpacked their bags, and when he was done, he soon found their home a lot more cosy and warm.

  Unbeknownst to the happy couple, there was still someone oblivious to their happiness.

  …

  Liam woke up, gasping for air. For days, restless nights had left him exhausted, tormented by a nightmare he could vaguely recall. Tears formed in his eyes, blurring his vision, but he blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. He masked his feelings with indifference, but a truth he tried to ignore gnawed at him.

  “Liam… are you okay?”

  A gentle voice whispered beside his ear as a hand felt his forehead for a fever.

  A jolt of surprise shot through Liam, and a smile involuntarily formed on his lips. When he lifted his head and noticed it was Mei, he inexplicably felt a sense of loss.