Honestly, having a man around for physicalbor was a huge plus.


    She didn''t argue. "Thanks for your help."


    His heart skipped a beat, as if something had gently knocked against it. God knew, being useful to her felt like the ultimate reward.


    He could have easily paid someone to do this, but he selfishly wanted to do it himself.


    He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscr forearms that exuded raw strength.


    She stood nearby, watching him carefully wrap the tower and monitor in padding before cing them securely into theputer boxes.


    She watched quietly for a moment, feeling a tiny corner of her heart soften.


    She went downstairs and brought up a bottle of water. He had just sealed the box and smiled when he saw the bottle, taking it from her.


    He twisted the cap off and took a long swig. His Adam''s apple bobbed with every swallow, projecting a rugged, untamed masculinity.


    She looked away and opened her own bottle to take a sip.


    "Thanks for the hard work," she said.


    "It''s nothing." His eyes stayed fixed on her. "It''s an honor to do something for you."


    Thement was so direct she didn''t know how to respond. Luckily, he didn''t wait for one and changed the subject. "Gavin will send someone at four to load everything up."


    "Alright." She asked, "What about your stuff?"


    "Mine is already packed and ready to go," he said. "I don''t have much."


    At noon, Joslyn apologized, saying she was so busy packing she hadn''t bought groceries. Naturally,n used that as an excuse to take Eleanor out to eat.


    She invited Joslyn along, but Joslyn insisted she''d just make some noodles at home.


    Eleanor followedn to a restaurant across from their neighborhood.


    It wasn''t crowded. Their window seat bathed them in sunlight, andn ordered several of her favorite dishes.


    She stared down, tracing the rim of her ss, her gaze drifting as if lost in memories.


    "What''s on your mind?" he asked gently.


    She looked up, thinking about him in her father''s video, and how he had called her by her nickname.


    "Why did you marry me back then?" she asked, still ying with her ss. "You could have had anyone. Why marry someone who might have a gic illness?"


    His hand paused on his ss. He didn''t answer right away, just looked deeply into her eyes.


    "I thought... we were past this question," he sighed.


    She kept looking at him, clearly expecting a different answer.


    His gaze darkened with sincerity. "Your illness was never a factor to me. I was willing to ept all of you, down to your gics. If there were risks down the line, I''d face them and bear them. That was the promise I made to your father and


    it''s my duty."


    A lump formed in her throat, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She looked away.


    "I handled the situation with


    Vanessa entirely wrong and hurt


    you. You can punish me however you want, and it won''t be enough." His eyes turned fierce with resolve." "Even if you never forgive me I will protect you and watch over you in my own way until the dayol die."


    His voice wasn''t loud, but every word struck her heart like a solemn vow.


    She whipped her head back to him. There was no hesitation in his eyes, only a raw, stubborn honesty.


    "You..." She opened her mouth, her throat incredibly dry.


    "We have a long life ahead, which means you have plenty of time to punish me." He let out a low chuckle. "I promise, I''ll take every punch, every Scolding, be at your beck and call, and do the heavy lifting without a singleint. He leaned in slightly, a teasing, indulgent smile in his eyes. "Just don''t push me away."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!