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Chapter 2
Jayden emerged from the bathroom, towel in hand, his damp hair slightly tousled.
The moment he glanced up and saw me standing by the bed in a thin, strappy
nightgown, a flicker of irritation crossed his face.
Frowning, he muttered, “Go lie down already. It’s cold these days–you’ll catch a cold if you’re not careful.”
A strange warmth stirred in my chest, and for a moment, my emotions churned uncontrollably.
Born into poverty, I had been frail since birth. When Jayden and I first got together, I was constantly sick.
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He spent countless hours accompanying me to traditional medicine clinics, and the number of expensive herbal remedies he bought was staggering. Yet not once did he complain.
“You’re a delicate flower,” he’d say with a teasing smile. “And I’m the gardener. It’s my job to keep you healthy and blooming beautifully.”
Over time, my health gradually improved, but Jayden’s habit of caring for me never changed.
Now, his eyes brimmed with the same tenderness as before. He clasped my cold hand, ready to guide me back under the
covers.
It was only then that he noticed the phone
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was holding in my hand–his phone.
Jayden froze mid–motion, his expression betraying a hint of unease.
“What’s wrong? Did someone call me?”
He swiftly took the phone from my hand, entering the password with practiced speed.
Before he could check the messages, I stopped him.
“Jayden, I saw the notification pop–ups.”
“Amara’s coming back. Why didn’t you tell me?”
His hand trembled slightly as he locked the phone and turned to look at me. His eyes were searching, probing.
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The crease between his brows deepened as he leaned back against the headboard, lighting a cigarette.
“Lena,” he said, his voice heavy with a mix of frustration and defensiveness, “Amy’s my childhood friend. What’s the problem with me staying in touch with her?”
Jayden’s tone grew irritated. “Seven years, Lena. We’ve been together for seven years. Do you really not have even this little bit of trust in me?”
I locked eyes with him, silently nodding.
But inside, my heart sank deeper and deeper.
Jayden’s expression softened instantly. He stubbed out his cigarette and moved to embrace me.
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I stepped aside subtly, avoiding his reach, and walked toward the window. “The window’s open. It’s cold.”
Jayden noticed the goosebumps on my shoulder and, without hesitation, ushered me back into bed. “Stay put. I’ll close it.”
As I watched him move, I slowly turned my back to him.
He returned with a chill clinging to him and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
I shivered, wriggling out of his embrace. “Cold,” I muttered.
“Why are you turning away from me? Still upset?” His tone carried a hint of probing.
“No,” I replied softly, my voice tinged with a faint nasal tone. “I think I’ve caught a cold.
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Don’t want you to get sick.”
Jayden let out a relieved sigh and pulled me closer, his arms tightening around me. “Let me warm you up. Sleep now. By tomorrow morning, you’ll feel fine.”
“Tomorrow night,” he added with a mysterious lilt, “I have a surprise for you.”
My body stiffened, but my heart skipped a beat. My gaze drifted toward the bedside table.
Inside the drawer lay a delicate jewelry box, holding a diamond ring.
I’d tried it on once–it fit perfectly.
But Jayden had left it there for nearly half a year, long enough for me to almost forget its existence.
Chapter 2
Could his surprise finally be it?
