Elowen gawked at him, shocked. "You fought? You really fought?"
She couldn’t imagine Soren, who was always controlled and careful, getting into a fight.
Soren was the proud heir of the Vale family. He had always avoided unnecessary controversies. He never allowed himself to lose control in public and was careful about the family reputation.
Yet, tonight, he had forgotten about his image and involved himself in a fight.
"If someone dared to say such things, I won’t stay quiet," he hissed.
Elowen frowned. She had witnessed his cold attitude toward her. She had endured his irritation and annoyance. But she had never seen him this angry before.
’Who could have probably provoked him this much?’ she wondered thoughtfully. ’Who dared to cross the heir of the Vale family?’
But she pushed down those questions and returned her focus to his hand.
"I don’t know what happened. But don’t get in a fight like that again." She pointed toward the bed. "Sit down. Let me bandage your wound."
She fetched the first aid box from the cupboard and returned to him.
Soren sat on the bed, watching her in calm silence.
She knelt in front of him and carefully examined his injured knuckles.
Memories suddenly flooded his mind. He remembered how Elowen had taken care of him all those years.
Whenever he had a fever, she stayed awake beside him all night, placing a wet cloth on his forehead, wiping his body, and checking his temperature again and again.
Whenever he had come home drunk from business meetings, she had prepared something warm to sober him up.
Whenever he had a stomachache, she had prepared a soothing concoction and stayed beside him until he felt better.
Elowen had always been there. Even now, she was tending to his wound.
Nothing had changed.
Elowen had always been like this. It was he who had been too blinded by his own assumptions and pride to see it.
He had ignored everything she did for him and never appreciated her.
As Elowen wrapped the bandage carefully around his knuckles, he held her wrist.
She stiffened and lifted her eyes at him. The intensity of his gaze made her heart flutter.
"You still care about me, don’t you?" he asked hopefully.
Elowen’s heart skipped a beat. She instantly pulled her hand free and stepped back.
Her lips pursed.
"I am always like this. If I see someone injured, I’ll tend to their wounds. I won’t change my nature, no matter who is in front of me."
Her reply crushed the faint hope in his heart.
Elowen closed the first aid box and turned around. But his voice came from behind, stopping her.
"I know you are upset with me. You won’t trust me even if I say I’ve changed."
Elowen’s fingers tightened around the box.
"No problem. I won’t ask you to believe me. I’ll prove it through my actions. I’ll show you that I’ve changed, that I’m serious about this marriage."
His words only left Elowen with bitter feelings. If she had not seen that promotion document, perhaps she might have fallen for his words. Perhaps she might have allowed herself to hope again.
But now, there was no chance.
’You are giving Tahlia power and control of your company,’ she thought. ’Soon you will let her control your life. Yet you won’t stop playing with my emotions. Soren, I’m really tired of all this.’
She silently put the box back into the cupboard and turned to him.
"Do whatever you want." Her voice was laced with exhaustion. "Just remember, you have only three months. After that, you won’t stop me from leaving."
She returned to her work, ignoring his presence.
Soren remained standing there, her words reminding him of the cruel reality that he didn’t have much time. He only had three months to live.
A self-mocking smile appeared on his lips.
’What are you thinking, Soren? The marriage you despised, the wife you ignored for years—do you think you can fix everything in just ninety days?’
It sounded almost impossible. But he had no intention of giving up.
’Anyway, I won’t be here to stop you after three months. Don’t worry, Elowen. You will be able to live freely and safely. And I’ll make sure of it.’
He continued to stare at her. ’Even if I can’t make you fall for me again, I’ll secure your and Sera’s future. I’ll punish those who hurt you in the past before I leave.’
He quietly slipped out of the room and went into the study.
Elowen watched his departing form. A teardrop slid down her cheek.
"Why are you doing this to me, Soren? First, divorce. And then fake promises. Haven’t you hurt me enough?"
She didn’t know how long she continued working after that. In the end, exhaustion overcame her. She dozed off at her desk.
When Soren returned to the room, he found her fallen asleep.
The designs were scattered across the table. Her head had fallen onto them. Strands of hair covered her face.
Soren stood there, watching her for a while. Then he smiled.
’Working this hard?’ His eyes moved over the design drawings. ’Seems like I have to invest in your company. Or should I buy a company for you?’
He lifted her into his arms, careful that he didn’t wake her up. Elowen stirred slightly, but she didn’t wake up.
He placed her gently onto the bed. He was about to move away when Elowen turned toward him and slipped an arm around his waist.
Soren froze.
"Why, Soren?" Her voice was soft and broken in her sleep. "Why don’t you love me?"
Soren’s heart clenched. He had never realized how deeply she had longed for his love.
His expression softened, but his eyes clouded with sorrow and guilt.
"I ignored you all those years." His fingers gently pushed a strand of hair away from her face. "But now, I’ll spoil you. I’ll love you so much that you will never think of leaving me."
He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. "Good night, wifey."
The next morning...
Elowen woke up. The first thing she felt was warmth. Then she found herself lying unusually close to Soren, her hand on his bare chest.
She inhaled sharply, her eyes widening.
She had no idea how or when she had come to the bed. The last thing she remembered was working on her design.
’How did I end up here?’ she wondered. ’Did he carry me here?’
The thought seemed almost impossible.
Soren never liked her hugging or getting close to him in bed. On rare occasions, when he had wanted to be intimate with her, he had allowed her to come close. But that had happened only when he had been drunk.
How could he have carried her here?
Elowen pulled her hand back, terrified he might wake up and become annoyed. The moment she tried to move away, his arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against him.
Her breath hitched. Her whole body stiffened. Before she could understand anything, he rolled over and pressed her down under his heavy form.
Elowen’s eyes flew wide, her hands moving to his chest. "What are you doing?"
He flashed a mischievous smile. "My wife is hugging me first thing in the morning." His voice was husky with sleep. "Don’t you know men can be especially sensitive in the early hours?"