"Elv,"

Nigel called tenderly.

There was a serious look on his face.

He looked at her, but his eyes seemed evasive, as if he was nervous.

One moment ago, he had acted so cheeky. Why was he so serious now? Elvira became apprehensive.

"Elv," he called again.

The look in his eyes was complicated, unfathomable and melancholy.

Elvira got butterflies in her stomach. On the other hand, she was also expecting something, feeling that he had something important to say to her.

"Yes?"

she responded, fixing her eyes on him.

Time went by slowly. She waited.

But he never opened his mouth again,

only gazing at her intensely.

"Hey,"

she said quietly, as if afraid to spook him.

He didn’t respond. "Nigel," she called. It was only then that he came to his senses.

Elvira furrowed her brows and asked, "What were you thinking?"

She was so nervous.

"Elv," he murmured.

Elvira was tendered speechless. He’s so weird. He can become a different person in a minute. One minute he is grinning, the next he is absent-minded. What is he going to be like next?"

"If only I could protect you forever,"

he said. Then he put his arms around her tightly.

He stoked her hair lightly, as though he was comforting a child. Actually, she was a child to him.

When he saw her lying on the bed with her eyes closed, her brows knitted,

he felt bad, because it was his family that had upset her.

As a flight attendant, she could have led a normal, happy life if he hadn’t come along.

But they met.

It was like kismet. If so, he would never let her go again. Without her, his life wouldn’t be the same.

It was just that she was living under pressure.

Come to think about it, he had kind of forced her into his life. He was like an intruder.

Am I being selfish?

he asked himself. For the first time, he doubted his acts.

But I can’t let go. It’s too hard.

a firm voice told him in his heart.

He wanted to become stronger and more powerful, powerful enough to give her everything she wanted.

"I want you to be happy,"

he said gently, his head resting on her shoulder, his hand holding hers.

Her heart was racing. Her face was crimson and burning up.

His words, his tone, the look in his eyes kept coming back in her head. He was so tender right now.

He was so careful when he was holding her.

It was like he was afraid even the slightest move would hurt her.

He had never been in a relationship before. He didn’t know how to act around Elvira.

Ever since they got married, he had been learning to talk and act properly. He would think his words over before he said them. He would think, Does she like me?

What kind of man does she like?

He acted relaxed around her, but only he knew how nervous and worried he was.

He loved her, so gradually, her feelings had become his priority.

How he felt didn’t matter anymore.

Her happiness had become the purpose of his life.

He was happy if she was happy.

If happiness was what people lived for, whatever Nigel did next was for Elvira’s happiness.

As long as she was happy, he would even be willing to let her go in three years.

But that thought only existed for a second,

because he couldn’t bear imagining the day when she would leave him.

"I..." She could sense the affection in his tone. Suddenly, her words caught in her throat. "I’m happy,"

she managed to say in a soft tone.

His gentleness made her feel that she was a spoiled little girl,

no longer the unloved, bullied Elvira who was bossed around like a servant every day.

With him, she didn’t have to clean. Nor did she have to work her ass off. Can I rely on him? Does this mean I don't have to pretend to be strong anymore?

Can I let my guard down and show my weaknesses?

Can I drop my mask from now on?

But what if he taunts me when he finds out how vulnerable I am, just like the others?

Elvira thought about it and decided that she couldn’t trust Nigel yet.

They came from two different worlds. Although he was good to her now, people change. Besides, their marriage contract would expire one day. What would she be to him then? A stranger?