Chapter 1

The journal on his desk was stuck with a black-and-gold fountain pen.

It wasn't the one I gave Archie.

But the underwear mentioned in the journal was the one I bought just last week.

When I thought back, I realized that over the past three years, I had lost more than twenty pieces of lingerie and nightwear.

I once thought it was the wind blowing them away, or that I'd forgotten them while traveling.

I never suspected Archie.

He had always been so cold and distant.

Since we got married, we've been polite with each other.

When he spoke to me, his gaze never strayed.

How could he have done this?

But last night, Archie said there was no hot water in the guest bathroom and asked to use mine to take a shower.

It only took him about half an hour, and when he left, he thanked me.

I didn't suspect anything.

Who would've thought it was him who took it?

But my intimate clothes—what could he want with them?

The thought made unpleasant images flash through my mind.

My face burned with embarrassment, and I couldn't bear to think further.

I really wanted to read the rest of the journal.

I also wanted to rush into the guest room and search through his wardrobe.

But that would be so unethical.

I calmed myself down and decided to pretend I hadn't seen anything.

I turned around and closed the study door.

The divorce papers, I shoved them into the drawer of my vanity.

I'll find out whether it's true or not.

Archie came home early tonight.

When he saw the living room lights were off, he called for me.

"Heather Holmes."

I forced myself to step out of the bedroom.

"You're back. I didn't cook dinner tonight."

Archie's expression was as serious as always.

When he called my name, it was always with both my first and last names.

But I had seen the journal!

Just thinking of how he, with that cold expression, had secretly worn my nightgown...

I couldn't bear to look him in the eye.

He didn't seem to notice anything unusual and handed me a blue gift bag.

"It's fine, I'll eat out."

He added, "This is for you."

I reached out to take it.

The back of my hand accidentally brushed against his fingertips.

I quickly pulled my hand back.

Archie's gaze darkened for a second, then quickly returned to normal.

Today was our third wedding anniversary.

I had prepared a divorce agreement for him.

But he had bought me a string of pearls.

I suppressed the complicated feelings rising inside me and softly said,

"I'm sorry, I didn't prepare a gift."

Luckily, he didn't mind.

"It's fine, I don't need anything.

"This necklace suits you, I bought it on a whim."

I muttered a thank you.

Archie responded lightly,

"Don't mention it. You should get ready, I'll go book a restaurant."

I changed into a strapless velvet dress and draped a fur shawl over it.

I wore the pearl necklace he gave me.

It wasn't too flashy, but it looked elegant.

When I opened the door, Archie glanced at me and froze for a moment.

Our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat.

Before I could speak, he quickly looked away.

"Let's go."

I watched his indifferent back and silently thought,

Let's see how long you can keep this up.

...

At the restaurant, the temperature was high, and I was about to take off my shawl when he suddenly looked up at me.

Archie's features were sharp, his eyes deep-set.

With his glasses, he appeared less threatening, more refined.

But right then, I saw danger in his gaze.

"What… what is it?"

"Nothing, I'm going out for a smoke."

When he left, the suffocating feeling that had hung in the air was finally relieved.

I'd thought he was going to devour me whole.

During the meal, Archie mentioned that he had been on vacation for the past few days.

He asked if I wanted to go home.

Actually, according to my plan, I intended to confront Archie, sign the divorce agreement, and then return.

After my family went bankrupt, my dad's mental state wasn't good for a while.

He returned to his hometown, rented a house, and started gardening.

He gradually recovered.

My dad always thought that Archie and I had a great relationship.

I hadn't told him about the divorce yet.

If I went back with Archie, the divorce agreement would have to be put on hold.

Archie was waiting for my response.

I could only force a dry laugh and say,

"Sure, if you're not busy, let's go back together."

When we left, Archie stood at the door without moving.

I looked at him.

"Did you forget something?"

His gaze fell on my shoulder, obscure and hard to read.

"Put on your shawl."

Maybe realizing his tone was too cold,

he softened his voice and added,

"It's cold outside."

"…" After taking a shower, I looked at the clothes I had changed out of in the laundry basket.

I remembered the bra I had just thrown away.

It was a low-cut style with a circle of white lace.

I really liked it.

I didn't know where Archie had hidden it.

I deliberately left my nightgown behind.

Tonight, Archie would come to borrow the bathroom again.

If the nightgown was missing, it would be solid evidence.

Chapter 2

Sure enough, not long after, there was a knock on the door.

It was still his indifferent face.

"Sorry, I need to use the bathroom again tonight."

I smiled at him, generously saying,

"No problem, go ahead."

Listening to the sound of water in the bathroom, I counted the seconds like they were years.

I kept reading the same page in the book.

Finally, Archie came out.

His expression was normal, and he softly said,

"Get some rest, good night."

"Mm, good night."

Once he left, I immediately rushed into the bathroom!

Sure enough!

My nightgown!

It was gone!

I was both ashamed and angry.

Fuming, I walked to the guest room door.

Just as I was about to knock,

I suddenly heard some muffled grunting through the door.

No way!

He wouldn't be—

My face turned beet red.

Afraid of seeing an embarrassing scene,

I could only turn around and return to my room.

I spent the whole day overthinking, leading me to have strange dreams that night.

In the dream, Archie was wearing my underwear,

asking me if he looked good in it.

I called him a pervert.

He just chuckled lowly and leaned over, getting close to my ear and saying,

"Heather, then you wear it.

"Just wear it for me, okay?"

The next day, I woke up with two big dark circles under my eyes.

Archie was already on the phone with my dad.

When my dad heard we were coming back for a few days,

he happily said he would kill a hen and make soup.

They chatted casually, the familiar atmosphere making it seem like we were a real family.

I packed my things with mixed emotions.

Actually, Archie treated me really well.

He supported my art,

and didn't make unreasonable demands just because he had saved my family.

On the contrary, he respected me.

The outside world said our relationship was deep,

that we were an enviable couple.

I had once developed feelings for him.

But he attributed all his kindness to repaying a debt.

I couldn't help but think, maybe he just treated me like a sister.

Aside from the marriage certificate, there was no real relationship between us.

But now, just thinking about my nightgown possibly being in his suitcase,

I got goosebumps.

His serious demeanor was all fake.

I closed my suitcase and tucked away my complicated emotions.

I made up my mind that once we returned from my dad's place,

I would end this ridiculous marriage.

The journey back would take nearly six hours.

Archie had mild OCD.

So, the big bag of snacks he handed me,

I didn't open any of them.

I lay on the back seat playing games.

Archie looked at me through the rearview mirror.

"Don't you like any of these?"

Wrong.

He bought everything I loved.

But this was his car,

so I had to respect his OCD.

I pretended to be tough,

"Oh, I'm not hungry."

During the stop at a service area,

I came out of the restroom to find him standing under a camphor tree, on the phone.

The sunlight filtered through the leaves, shining on him.

He had taken off his suit and wore just a shirt,

giving him a more youthful appearance.

He flicked the ash off his cigarette, brought it to his lips, and took a deep drag.

He tilted his head, releasing the smoke.

His upright shoulders relaxed in that moment.

When he saw me out of the corner of his eye,

he smiled faintly.

"Okay, I'll hang up now, call me if anything comes up."

This gentle and humble image—

it had to be fake!

When I got back in the car,

I threw on my coat and pretended to sleep,

hoping he wouldn't talk to me anymore.

Archie drove steadily.

I kept pretending to sleep, and eventually, I truly fell asleep.

When I woke up,

my dad had opened the car door and was calling me to get out.

"Heather, you've been asleep the whole way, didn't you take turns driving with Archie?"

Before I could say anything,

Archie smiled at me and said,

"It's fine, she's not familiar with my car, it's good for her to sleep a bit longer."

"Sleeping this much during the day, will she still be able to sleep tonight?"

Archie lightly said,

"If she can't sleep, then don't sleep. It's rare to have time off."

A simple remark,

but it sent a chill down my spine.

I quickly got out of the car and rushed into the yard.

As soon as I entered the house, I smelled the rich aroma of chicken soup.

"Dad, I'm starving, hurry up and serve dinner."

"Okay, okay, let me show you both my cooking skills. Archie, take her to wash her hands, and keep an eye on her, don't let her eat anything!"

Archie took my suitcase, followed my dad, and responded with a smile,

"Okay, I'll watch her."

When I heard his voice, my body tensed.

As soon as he entered, I hurried out.

My dad's yard was spacious and bright.

He had planted many flowers, though I couldn't name them.

After washing my hands, I squatted down to take a few pictures and sent them to my friends.

While typing, Archie suddenly appeared behind me.

"This is Jasmine."

I was startled, quickly standing up.

I almost lost my balance and nearly fell.

Chapter 3

Archie reacted quickly, grabbing my arm and pulling me into his arms.

"Be careful."

The clean and fresh scent of his body rushed into my nose as he got close.

My heart skipped a beat.

When you like someone, even their scent feels like temptation.

Just as I was about to push him away,

my dad came out with the chicken soup.

"Dinner's ready—oh, I didn't see anything, you two continue."

Archie let go of me, and I immediately rushed into the house.

It was so awkward.

After dinner, I realized an even more awkward problem.

My dad said he had only prepared one guest room.

"One room?"

I exclaimed.

My dad looked at me, confused.

"You two are staying, isn't one room enough?"

Archie interjected,

"It's fine, thank you, Dad."

As he spoke, his deep gaze never left me.

It made me shiver.

I lay in bed, tossing and turning,

deciding to message Archie.

"How about you and my dad go out and play mahjong tonight?"

Archie. "I'm tired from driving."

Well, after six hours of driving, I could see how tired he was.

"Then I'll sleep outside tonight and watch TV."

Archie. "There's no heating in the living room."

What should I do now?!

I couldn't possibly share a bed with Archie, could I?

I couldn't guarantee that I'd be able to control myself.

I hesitated and messaged him back,

"But sleeping together isn't very convenient, right?"

This time, Archie didn't reply immediately.

I could hear him chatting with my dad outside.

I was pacing nervously in the bedroom.

He hadn't replied.

Was this non-negotiable?

After a while, Archie came back.

I pretended to be asleep under the covers.

I heard the sound of him showering in the bathroom.

The tension was growing.

But I had slept for over three hours during the day,

so I wasn't tired at all.

The rural night was dead silent.

I could hear every movement he made.

The water stopped in the bathroom.

Archie was drying his hair.

He opened the door and walked toward me.

The mattress sank down slightly.

The familiar scent of him came closer.

He was using my body wash!

I swallowed.

I tried to steady my breath.

Archie's tall frame and long legs brushed against me as he got into bed, his foot accidentally touching my calf.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"You're still awake?"

"..."

"Isn't it stuffy under the blanket?"

"..."

The air seemed to freeze.

I squeezed my eyes shut, pretending the person who spoke just now wasn't me.

But then Archie leaned closer.

The rich scent of flowers was heated by his body temperature.

I never noticed before that this fragrance could make a person's thoughts run wild.

I held my breath, continuing to pretend to sleep.

"Heather, did you read the diary I left on the table?"

I instantly opened my eyes and tossed off the blanket to explain.

"I didn't! I didn't read it!"

Unexpectedly, my gaze collided directly with his dark, brooding eyes.

He furrowed his brow slightly.

"Tsk, didn't you?

"Should have made it more obvious."

What did that tone mean? Was he done pretending? Was he admitting that he stole my clothes?

I threw off the blanket, preparing to interrogate him.

But then he grabbed my wrist, his voice low as he whispered,

"It's been three years, and you're still this scared of me?"

He leaned over as he spoke.

His voice was hushed, and he murmured near my ear.

"But I can't hold back anymore.

"Heather, it hurts so much when I hold back. You can feel it if you touch."

His fingertip grazed my heated, delicate skin.

I quickly pulled my hand back.

My ears turned red.

"Archie! Are you crazy?"

Tonight, he had been drinking with my father while they ate, having a few more drinks.

The alcohol my dad made was very strong.

At this moment, his pale skin showed a faint flush.

A layer of mist clouded his eyes as he looked at me with a hint of grievance.

"You don't want to touch me..."

He was really drunk.

The tone of his voice made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Tonight, Archie had shed his usual aloof demeanor.

After showering, his black, fluffy short hair softened the sharp contours of his face.

Without his glasses, his long lashes made him seem fragile and easy to bully.

I remembered the contents of his diary and cautiously asked,

"Archie, did you drink too much?"

"No."

"Then did you take my sleepwear?"

"Yes, I took it."

"What did you do after you took it?"

Archie sank into his thoughts, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He hoarsely replied,

"I did some bad things."

I couldn't help but think of that day, standing outside the guest room door, hearing the muffled, labored breathing.

Pain mixed with pleasure.

I could tell what he was doing.

My face instantly turned bright red.

He secretly wrote in his diary, secretly took my nightgown to DIY.

Does he like me, but can't bring himself to say it?

I'm going to force him to say it out loud!

I pretended to be angry, glaring at him.

"What bad things exactly?"

Archie's dark eyes met mine.

He moved a few steps forward, trapping me against the headboard of the bed.

"Heather, can I show you instead of saying it?"