The bathtub was big enough for both of them. He gathered her into his arms, and


    they just sat there, soaking in the warm water together.


    ra''s cheeks were bright red. From where he sat, he could see her lips slightly


    parted, a little sheen of sweat trickling down from her forehead.


    He tightened his hold on her, thinking for a few seconds before slowly lowering his


    head, about to kiss her.


    But she opened her eyes, staring up at him, catching him mid-move.


    Realizing she was awake, he froze, suddenly hesitant.


    ra watched him for a few seconds, then her eyes fluttered closed for real this


    time, her head resting against his chest, only the side of her face visible.


    Dn pressed his lips together, letting out a rough, resigned sigh as he rested his


    chin on the top of her head.


    "Stop torturing me," he whispered, voice hoarse.


    It felt like he was living with a sword hanging over his head, never knowing when


    it might fall.


    After about fifteen minutes, he carefully washed her up, then carried her back to


    bed.


    ra seemed to sense how rxed her body was—she tucked herself under the


    covers and fell asleep almost instantly.


    Dn dried himself off and came back to the bedside. Half her face was buried


    under the nket, her breathing soft and peaceful.


    He gently lifted the edge of the nket and slipped in beside her.


    As soon as hey down, her hand instinctively reached out, wrapping around his


    waist.


    He stiffened, barely daring to move.


    He spent the whole night lying there, tense, while ra shifted around—


    sometimes clutching his arm, sometimes curling up against his side, always


    clinging to him in her sleep.


    Each time, he''d freeze up, worried she might suddenly wake.


    But she slept soundly all the way until morning.


    Still worried, he called the doctor to check on her. The doctor''s brows knit together


    with concern.


    "She needs more rest," the doctor said.


    Dn sat at her bedside and just nodded. "Okay."


    Aiden came in, letting him know the old house had called, inviting him to


    breakfast.


    "I''m not going," Dn said tly.


    Aiden looked awkward. Rai had


    flown in from overseas, and it was


    obvious why—he wanted Dn to


    had put it off for two years, but that


    spot had been waiting for him all


    along.


    "Sir..." Aiden started.


    He didn''t get to finish. ra''s eyes opened.


    She looked a little lost at first, then rubbed her forehead. "Why am I back in your


    bedroom again?"


    She slipped out of bed, her face no longer pale.


    This wasn''t the distant, icy ra, or the sweet ra who called him ''husband'' in a


    soft voice.


    Dn''s throat tightened. He flexed his fingers for a long second before finally


    asking, "What is it?"


    ra''s gaze moved from him to Aiden. "What''s with you two?"


    Why did Dn look so pale? And Aiden, too...


    Aiden dropped his eyes. "Sir, you really should go."


    Dn pressed his lips together and turned to leave.


    But ra quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "Dn."


    He looked down, waiting for her to say something.


    ra hesitated, lowering her gaze,


    rubbing her forehead as if trying to


    piece something together. "That day,


    why did you say that to me? You


    said if I left you, you''d die. Do you


    remember?"


    She was talking about the day she''d pressed a knife to her throat, threatening to


    make him let her go.


    ra''s head throbbed and she leaned back against the wall. "I want to know."


    Dn didn''t answer right away. He saw all the questions and doubts swirling in


    her eyes.


    He was just about to speak when


    ra suddenly went pale, bracing


    herself against the wall, her breath


    "ra..."


    He reached out to steady her, but she pulled away.