Hailey looked at Den. "Den, are you staying tonight?"


    Den had just finished coaxing Ste and had snuck back. He still had to leave before dawn, but for now, he had a little time.


    "I''ll stay until you fall asleep," he said.


    Hailey lifted the nket and patted the empty space beside her. "Then get in. It''s warm."


    Den slid under the covers, lying beside her. Hailey curled up next to him, resting her head on his arm. Then, she gazed up at him.


    Den felt a piece of his heart soften. He reached out and pulled Hailey into his arms.


    The two of them held each other tightly. Den nced at Aileen, who was sleeping soundly beside Hailey.


    "When did Aileen fall asleep?" he asked.


    "Around 10:00 pm. She was studying until then-her exams start tomorrow. She''ll be testing for three days. I''ll take her to the exam hall in the morning, so you don''t have to worry."


    Hailey spoke softly, reassuring him that everything was under control.


    Den smiled slightly. This felt like how his parents used to be his father would be out working while his mother took care of everything at home.


    However, Hailey had no obligation to do this for him.


    He was tied up with things he couldn''t control, yet Hailey had always been by his side.


    Lowering his gaze, Den murmured, "Hailey, I..."


    Hailey reached up and covered his mouth with her hand. "I''ve heard enough words of gratitude. Don''t say anymore. Everything I do, I do willingly. Besides, Aileen is so smart-give her ten years, and she''ll be someone amazing. When that happens, I can ride on her coattails. Consider it an investment."


    Hailey smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.


    Den tightened his arms around her and pressed a soft kiss to her hair.


    Just then, Hailey grabbed his shirt and sniffed him like a little puppy. Den raised an eyebrow. "What''s wrong?"


    Hailey frowned. "Den, you smell like another woman''s perfume!"


    Her


    sharp, ability


    women had an pick up on these


    Gsmell had always b t belongs to swn cen


    Den''s heart skipped a beat. He had spent the entire day with Ste,


    SO


    it was inevitable that he had


    picked up her scent.


    bet


    Hailey tilted her head up, pouting. "Confess now, Den. Whose perfume is that?"


    Den hesitated, debating whether to tell her about the wedding. "Hailey, I..."


    Yet, she cut him off. "It''s Ste''s, isn''t it? I knew it! You''ve been with her all day!"


    She pouted stubbornly. "Den, I don''t know why you''re with her, but I won''t allow anything intimate to happen between you two. Don''t even think about marrying her. I won''t allow it!"


    Den swallowed the words he had been about to say.


    "Hailey, if I ended up marrying Ste..."


    "Then I wouldn''t want you anymore," she said immediately.


    Den froze. Maybe it was better not to say anything after all. He didn''t dare.


    He was afraid Hailey really would leave him.