Under the expectant gazes of Peter and Michelle. I finally nodded. But in my heart, I silently promised myself. ‘If Alvin ever gets involved with Thea again-even in the smallest way-no matter what, even after we’re married, I’ll leave him.”


    When I agreed, everyone at the table let out a sigh of relief. The mood immediately lightened and became more rxed and warm.


    After dinner, of course, I couldn’t leave. Once we were back in the bedroom, there was an awkwardness between Alvin and me, even more thanst time.


    “You go take a shower.” Alvin spoke first.


    Just then, my phone rang. It was Jasmine. I nced at Alvin and said, “You go ahead. I’ll take this call.”


    Once Alvin stepped into the bathroom, I answered the call. Jasmine’s voice came through sharply. “Zoe, you didn’te. back to minest night, and you’re not here today. Please tell me you haven’t gone back to the Dolton family?”


    I looked at the big bed in the middle of the room and softly murmured, “Yeah, I’m here.”


    ‘Are you and Alvin back together?” Jasmine sounded genuinely surprised.


    I bit my lip. “We’re getting our marriage license tomorrow.”


    There was a long pause on the other end. Finally, Jasmine asked, “Are you sure about this?”


    walked to the window and stared at the half moon hanging in the sky. “The moon waxes and wanes, and people are no lifferent. He blocked Thea’s contact and promised to stopmunicating with her. I want to give him one chance.”


    paused, then added, “Thest chance.”


    asmine knew me well. Once I’d made up my mind, there was nothing more to say. After a beat of silence, she finally spoke, Zoe, just remember that when you choose a man, you’re choosing safety and happiness.”


    Yeah,” I said quietly, ending the call. I stood there for a moment, lost in thought. My mind felt strangely empty, and I wasn’t ure what to feel-neither sad nor happy.


    A sudden chill at my back made me turn. Alvin hade up behind me.


    He was shirtless, wearing only pajama pants, and his wet skin left droplets of water on my arm as he wrapped his arms round me. It was raw but undeniably sexy.


    His lips brushed my neck, his teeth lightly grazing my skin. A shiver ran through me, my body tightening in response.


    knew exactly what he wanted, but I gently ced my hand over his. “Let’s wait until tomorrow.”


    Tomorrow, we’d get our marriage license. It wasn’t worth rushing tonight.


    Alvin froze for a moment, his grip tightening around me. But he didn’t push further. Instead, he kissed my cheek. “Go take a shower, get some rest. Tomorrow, we’ll go first thing to get our marriage license. Let’s try to be the first.”


    His words made it sound like he was in a rush.


    Iughed softly. “Is there a prize for being first?”


    He hesitated, then answered, “Yes.”


    His energy shifted, as if he was ready to press on, but I didn’t go along with it. At this point, stepping away was


    smartest move.


    probably the


    I went into the bathroom, staying there for almost an hour. I waited until I figured he was almost asleep before I came out.


    To avoid any awkwardness, Alvin was already asleep when I emerged. His phone rested silently on the nightstand, and the


    room was still.


    Even though nothing would happen between us tonight, the lingering shadows of the past made me uneasy. I couldn’t shake the worry that his phone might ring at any moment.


    That night, I didn’t sleep soundly. I kept having strange dreams-dreams where Alvin was driving to a riverbank, where he was drinking in a cave.


    His car door was open, and a snake kept slithering in and out. Eventually, the snake morphed into a monkey, jumping around wildly.


    When I woke up, it was still dark outside. Alvin was sound asleep beside me.


    I gently turned and looked at him. His nose was straight and well-defined, his long, curledshes framing eyes that looked like they’d been meticulously drawn.


    The bags under his eyes were more pronounced than any artist’s sketch. His lips weren’t thin but fuller-apparently, men with lips like his were supposed to be lucky and emotionally generous.


    I was so caught up in studying him that I didn’t notice when his eyes suddenly fluttered open. My unintentional spying was caught off guard.


    Despite being so familiar with him, my heart still skipped a beat, and my cheeks flushed. “Good morning.”


    “Morning.” Alvin’s voice was husky from just waking up. “Mrs. Dolton.”