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“No, I don’t want that.”

I quickly stopped him from taking off his coat.

I wondered if I had been too firm, but I couldn’t help it.

We were in the garden of our house. It was dark, but what if Etienne happened to glance out the window and see the two of us?

What would he think if he saw me, his wife, having a passing fling with his brother? From theft to infidelity… Oh, the notoriety couldn’t get any worse.

I distanced myself a little more from Versus. He, who had been quietly gazing at me, asked in a gentle voice.

“Do you remember the promise you made to me before?”

“Yes, of course.”

I obviously didn’t remember.

“I’m glad. I thought you had forgotten.”

His bright smile pricked at my conscience. Was it an important promise? Should I ask him now what that promise was?

He reached out with his hand toward my face, and involuntarily, I took a startled step back. Perceiving my confusion, he tilted his head puzzled.

“Dahlia…? Why are you acting like that? You do remember our promise, right?”

“Yes, of course, I remember! I don’t have amnesia or anything, why would I forget? I’ve heard people say that I’ve changed since getting married. Haha, they say you have to go through something big… And after getting married, my perspective on the world has indeed changed a bit.”

“Is that so?”

Versus stared at me intently. His penetrating gaze made me lower my eyes slightly.

“But… Dahlia, were you always this beautiful?”

I was taken aback by his buttery smooth comment and raised my head. His face had suddenly come closer.

To say something like that with that kind of face… That’s assault. Assault on the heart.

His three-dimensional features were overwhelmingly burdensome, but I mustered up the strength to maintain a composed face.

“Why all of a sudden… This has been my face for a long time.”

After all, I didn’t undergo any plastic surgery in this world.

“Yeah, your face is definitely the same. Why does it suddenly look beautiful? I was trying to sleep, but your face kept flashing in my mind. That’s why I unconsciously came to your room.”

Sweat started to trickle down my forehead at his words. No matter how dense I am, this is the biggest confession or at least a sign of affection.

Why is Versus saying something like this to me?

Wasn’t he frustrated because he couldn’t get rid of Dahlia? Such comments should be directed toward his wife Sophie.

At that moment, something brushed through my mind.

Could it be… I’ve seen it in other books, the male protagonist, the one who despised a certain person, will change as soon as the person he hated was possessed. Even if they dislike him, he’s fixated on them!

Is that what’s happening?

I was bewildered.

Until now, I had only focused on Etienne, but perhaps I should have targeted this side? It seems plausible. But for some reason, Etienne was completely resistant to my advances.

I imagined myself mining the rock mountain next to the golden mountain, feeling regretful.

Is it too late to switch now? But what about Etienne? I’ve already declared my love for him. What a piece of shit he’ll think I am if I ask for a divorce again!

But… What if this is where the real juicy beef is?

“Dahlia!”

“Yes?”

All the noisy thoughts in my head were instantly silenced by his call.

“What were you thinking about so deeply?”

Versus bent down, his face now at eye level with mine. I noticed a gentle impression, different from Etienne. Plump, red lips, and soft eyes.

Come to think of it, his irises were also blue. With more gray undertones than Etienne, they gave off a colder vibe.

He is handsome. Yes, undeniably handsome…

I felt uneasy. It was like the feeling when you go to the bathroom and there’s not enough toilet paper, so you hastily try to resolve the situation and come out feeling awkward…

As I stared blankly at him, he cupped my cheek in his hand.

His lush eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Huh? Why all of a sudden?

Even though it was out of nowhere, as I rolled my eyes up, it felt like a scene from a kiss scene in a movie.

He was getting closer and closer! My pupils were trembling! In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through my mind.

Instinctively, my nature told me to close my eyes quickly and pucker my lips forward.

Whether it was him or someone else, as long as things turned out well, it didn’t matter! All I needed was the steak.

Trembling, I extended my lips, inching closer…

Just a little closer and… wait!

In front of me, Etienne’s face floated, looking down at me with an infuriated expression.

Even though it was only in my imagination, I felt like I needed to apologize immediately.

Is this how a fangirl who sells her tea leaves feels when her ultimate bias is right beside her…?

“W-wait!”

I pushed his shoulder, mere moments before our lips were about to touch.

“I-I’m married…! This… doesn’t seem right…”

My mouth moved on its own accord.

Am I crazy? Am I really rejecting this now? And he’s the male protagonist? I thought I had struck gold with the chance that rolled my way. After starving myself to death and still not getting my act together!!

It’s always this useless sense of morality that gets in the way.

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