Chapter 1
The sky over Southgate was particularly dreary, with a chill that felt like winter was already upon them, despite the absence of snow. Elena Vale heard two rings of the doorbell and peered through the peephole. A moment of surprise washed over her as she opened the door to let in Gareth Vale. Gareth had come straight from the Artisan's Workshop in the countryside, carrying nothing but a black backpack. He seemed a bit impatient, a cigarette angled in his mouth as he spoke. "What’s with the look? Do I really surprise you that much?" As he stepped inside, Elena followed him, feeling awkward about almost not recognizing him after so long. To be fair, it wasn’t entirely her fault. The last time they had seen each other, Gareth had been neat and tidy with clean hair cropped close, his handsome face devoid of stubble. Now, he appeared slightly darker from the sun, his hair longer, a worn jacket on his back, and mud splattered on his pants, as if he had just come from a construction site. ...Sure enough, every man undergoes changes once he settles down. Despite his roughness, Gareth indeed maintained a solid physique. He wasn’t overly muscular but had broad shoulders, his silhouette hinting at the strong muscles beneath his clothes. "Did you clean up my room?" he asked, brushing past her. "I kept the guest room ready for you," Elena replied, adding, "But if you'd prefer to stay at the Inn, that’s fine too." "No need. I’ll just crash here for a couple of nights. Once everything’s settled, I’ll head out." Elena simply nodded, unfazed by his response. After all, their marriage was merely a formality, with both of them well aware that the lives they were leading wouldn’t interfere with one another's romantic entanglements. This time, however, Gareth's return was a different story. Gareth set his backpack down and noticed Elena staring at the marks he left behind as he walked in. He extinguished his cigarette and went back to take a shower. When he emerged, the floor from the foyer to the living room shimmered as if freshly polished. Even the slippers he had kicked around earlier were back in their proper place. Elena usually occupied the house alone and had what could only be described as mild obsessive cleanliness; any dirt or mess bothered her enough to prevent a good night’s sleep. "Are you going to clean up that stubble too? The razor’s behind the bathroom mirror; you just press it and it pops out," she mentioned, blinking at him. Sometimes Gareth needed to stay over at the house to keep up appearances, so Elena had prepared some essential grooming supplies just in case. But he walked back to the bathroom, a grimace on his face—was he really that unkempt? He pressed the mirror, and to his surprise, a little pink toy that looked like a dolphin fell out. He had never seen it before and took it in his hand to inspect, but before he could get a better look, Elena rushed in the bathroom, clearly flustered. “Oh, that’s nothing! It’s just a bath toy, like a rubber duck—don’t worry!” she babbled, though her flushed cheeks told a different story. “Please, just don't touch my things.” “Would it still count as touching if it fell out?” he countered, smirking. “Uh, yes… I mean, no, wait, just… don’t!” Elena stammered, her heart racing. She had stashed it behind the mirror after using it last time, totally forgetting all about it. Gareth caught a hint of her embarrassment; a quick glance revealed her ears glowing red with a hint of heat. He chuckled inwardly. It seemed she was much less composed than she pretended.
Chapter 2
Gareth Vale stepped out of the house, leaving no time for a shared lunch. Elena Vale let out a sigh of relief; having an unexpected guest in the house was quite bothersome. Messages pinged in the family group chat, which was usually divided into a smaller chat named "The Blessed Family." It was here they typically shared light-hearted banter. The larger chat was mostly silent. Elena checked her phone and saw a message from Lady Evelyn Vale, announcing the time and location of the evening’s family gathering, emphasizing that it was a rare occasion for everyone to be free and that attendance was mandatory. Her words were meant for Gareth. After they tied the knot, Elena had included Gareth in the family chat, but he had barely made his presence felt. Each time he had missed the family gatherings, murmurs of discontent had begun to ripple through the family. Elena hadn’t directly questioned Gareth, assuming he was too busy with work to join them. Realizing she might have contributed to this misunderstanding, Elena quickly replied to the group, "Got it, Lady Evelyn! Gareth and I will be there tonight, no doubt about it." After sending the message, she opened Gareth's gray icon in the chat. The last conversation they’d had was two months ago, on her birthday. She had suddenly asked him for a $5200 gift transfer, and without question, he had sent it. She then shared a screenshot on social media, proclaiming how great her husband was. Lady Evelyn was pleased, but Elena had cleverly set her post’s visibility to "only me." Not keeping the money, she returned it to him untouched. Online, Elena acted quite differently compared to her real-life self: she was overly grateful for Gareth’s cooperation, but he had merely replied with a gruff, "Mm," before falling silent. “Gareth, are you free for dinner tonight?” She sent the message but waited for a long while without a response. Gareth was an architect who had established his own firm right after graduating, and he had gained a small but notable reputation in the industry with his distinctive and aesthetically pleasing designs. These days, he always had plenty of projects waiting for his attention. He must be really busy... Elena stared at the quiet chat window, suddenly regretting sending the message so hastily. What if Gareth genuinely was occupied? The doorbell rang again, a curious sound considering she hadn’t ordered takeout or any deliveries. Who could it be at this hour? Elena hurried to the door and was surprised to find Gareth returning, carrying two bags full of fresh ingredients, including vegetables, fruits, and meat. “So you went shopping,” she said politely, eager to help him carry some of the bags. Gareth merely gave a grunt and strode directly into the kitchen, where he stashed the groceries in the fridge. If there was one area of the house that was spotless, it was certainly the kitchen. Elena, who lived alone and often avoided the hassle of cooking, seldom made a mess or needed to clean up. Inside the fridge, there was barely anything except some red vacuum-sealed packaging. Gareth’s gaze swept around and then landed on the multitude of packages of instant hotpot in the pantry. “Is this what you normally eat?” he remarked with a hint of disdain. “Well, not really. I skip meals when I’m not too hungry,” Elena replied honestly, as eating felt like an annoying chore more than anything else. Initially, it was simply convenient, but she hadn’t expected the smell of hotpot to linger throughout the house, often splattering on her clothes and the floor. And then she would have to take a shower again, do her laundry, and mop the floors... It was quite impractical... “Honestly, cooking for myself is a hassle; it involves handling pots and washing dishes,” Elena defended herself, not wanting Gareth to think she was a disorganized person. “That sounds just like you,” Gareth replied bluntly, his tone impossible to decipher as either a compliment or a jab. Rolling up his sleeves, Gareth was ready to wash the vegetables, but as soon as he turned on the faucet, he discovered there was no water.
Chapter 3
Elena Vale leaned in to take a look. “The maintenance team didn’t say anything about shutting the water off today,” she remarked. She casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, exposing a smooth neck. Up close, Gareth Vale could catch a whiff of the subtle orchid fragrance lingering around her. Gareth Vale squatted down, inspecting the plumbing, and turned to her. “Where’s the toolbox?” Elena made a quick trip to the storage room and returned with the toolbox. By then, Gareth had already identified the issue: the filtration screen was clogged and needed to be removed for cleaning. He briefly explained the steps for dismantling and cleaning the filter. Elena sighed, feeling the weight of the task ahead. Before thinking twice, she replied, “Aren’t you here to help?” Gareth didn’t respond immediately. He lifted his gaze, his dark eyes piercing into hers, conveying an air of unyielding intensity. For a moment, she had forgotten their arrangement. After all, this marriage was merely a spontaneous decision by both parties; neither Elena Vale nor Benedict intended to maintain this relationship long-term. Trying to amend her earlier comment, she added, “Before our agreement is rendered ineffective, you're still my legal husband; helping around the house is part of the deal.” Suddenly, Gareth stepped closer, his features sharp and defined, emanating a fierceness. “Elena Vale, you certainly have a way with words.” Though they had been married for little over a month and had spent limited time together, Gareth had been polite enough to make her overlook his underlying fierceness. But standing so close made Elena forget to think. Her gaze was entirely focused on Gareth's increasingly handsome face. Her eyelashes fluttered, betraying her anxiety. “What—why are you standing so close?” Elena stammered, her voice faltering. “Article one of our agreement states that physical contact is prohibited without consent.” “And what do you think?” Gareth shot back. Before she could respond, Gareth reached behind her and grabbed the bag of vegetables she had been blocking. Ah, so that was why he had come this close. Elena felt her cheeks heat up, realizing how awkward the situation had become. She couldn’t muster the confidence to insist he let her help, so she stepped back to the doorway and watched as he got to work in the kitchen. Admittedly, while Gareth appeared rough and unpolished on the surface, he clearly possessed a talent for cooking. He worked quickly, chopping vegetables, stirring them in a pan, and cooking with a level of proficiency that suggested he was quite familiar with such tasks. Gareth was tall, and it seemed a bit unfair that he had to crouch over the stove, yet every movement he made was aesthetically pleasing. Elena found herself stealing glances at him when he wasn’t looking, making a mental note to buy him an apron the next time she visited a store. She wasn’t particularly hungry, but the delightful aroma wafting from the kitchen made her stomach growl with anticipation. Gareth was surprisingly efficient, managing to whip up a meat and vegetable dish along with a shrimp and bamboo shoot soup in no time. Once he finished cooking, though he seemed uninterested in eating, he set the table and encouraged Elena to dig in first while he lazily leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette. Elena ate happily, balancing bites of rice with the delicious food. Once her stomach was satisfied, she happily squinted her eyes at him. “Gareth, I’d be happy to wash the dishes later.” It was rare for someone so averse to trouble to offer to clean up. Gareth took a few puffs of his cigarette, letting the smoke drift into the air, and suddenly found himself thinking that Elena was pretty easy to please—just a plate of food, and she was over the moon.
Chapter 4
Elena Vale had a small appetite, and within just a few bites, she was full. As she settled down on a side chair, she waited for Gareth to finish his meal while humming a soft tune, eventually gathering the dishes and retreating to the kitchen. It was then that Gareth noticed the enormous dishwasher in the corner. “That's your solution for dish duty?” Gareth raised an eyebrow, half amused. “I never said I had to wash them by hand,” Elena replied with a proud smile, tossing the dishes into the giant machine. “See? Technology is changing how we live.” Gareth leaned back on the sofa, realizing once again he had underestimated her. “By the way, about tonight's gathering,” Elena began, glancing over her shoulder as she worked. “You’re free, right?” “Yeah, I’ll be there,” he responded flatly, barely paying her much mind. Sensing a hint of nerves, Elena offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about Fergus; with me around, it won’t feel like a high-stakes showdown.” Gareth shot her a sidelong glance, clearly unimpressed. “Okay, fine, I'm a little nervous,” she admitted, her voice trailing off. Elena feared Richard and Evelyn Vale might see right through her nerves and ruin the pleasant atmosphere they had cultivated. Her upbringing had been relatively comfortable, being the only daughter of Richard and Evelyn Vale. They considered her obedient and sensible, especially given her stable teaching job at a local high school, a position she took at her mother’s insistence. Yet there was one thing she resisted—getting married. The very thought of binding her life to another person was daunting and complicated, and she struggled with the prospect. But after her mother's serious illness and surgery, the pressure to settle down had intensified. Elena intended to satisfy their wish while avoiding potential complications by arranging a marriage of convenience, where they would lead separate lives while still being able to claim an intact family unit. As she tidied up, she decided to check on Gareth. “I still have some things to wrap up at the office this afternoon,” she mentioned. “Uh-huh,” she heard him mutter in response, though her eyes were glued to the news notifications popping up on her phone, not really paying attention. Gareth didn’t pursue the conversation, letting the silence stretch between them. This kind of quiet had become routine in their relationship. Elena taught music at a nearby school, which was far less demanding than Gareth's job. Today, since she had no classes, she enjoyed a rare moment to relax in her room after lunch. At around five o’clock, well before the family gathering, Gareth returned home, having wrapped up his work early. Elena opened the door for him, still with damp hair after just having showered. The ends stuck close to her skin, hinting at a flash of warmth beneath the fabric. “You’re back early,” she remarked, noticing his detached expression as he skimmed his gaze across her. “Got everything ready for you,” she added, following him as he stepped inside. “The tie you need is in the closet on the left—dark gray.” Her voice softened, taking on the nurturing tone of a devoted housewife. Gareth grunted in response, a hint of impatience rising in his demeanor. Sighing, Elena thought she would never truly master the role of the charming wife. But thankfully, her husband wasn’t actually her husband, so it didn’t matter if he wasn’t fond of her. She spent a moment blowing her hair dry, then poked her head into Gareth's space to see how he was getting along. He had changed and struggled with the tie while wearing a suit that he clearly found uncomfortable. His preference wavered toward comfort; he liked clothes that allowed him to move freely while he worked. After watching him fidget with the tie for a while, an idea struck her. “Uh, it’s not tied that way. Let me show you,” she offered smoothly, ready to lend a hand before he could protest. Elena focused on his collar, completely oblivious to the weight of Gareth's gaze as his dark eyes turned serious, following her hands as they moved toward his throat.
Chapter 5
Elena Vale fumbled with Gareth Vale's tie, twisting it this way and that. Flushing slightly, she muttered, "Maybe it's been too long since I've tied a man's tie." Gareth's deep gaze settled on her, somehow heavy and intense, making her feel the weight of the moment. "You know, I used to help my dad with his ties all the time. Just—wait a second! Let me check a tutorial online." As she spoke, Elena tugged on his tie with one hand while pulling out her phone with the other. Gareth, towering over her, bent down slightly to accommodate her, casting a shadow that enveloped her. The warm breath that brushed against her face felt almost like feathers, tickling her skin. Elena dared not look directly at him, her heart racing unexpectedly. She realized, albeit slowly, that this act of assistance felt distinctly intimate. Now wouldn’t be the right moment to abruptly let go... Gareth's gaze lingered on her increasingly pink ears before he calmly asked, "Are you alright?" "I said, don’t look at me like that!" Elena hurriedly watched the screen, quickly adjusting his collar and meticulously realigning it into place. Her fingertips were slightly cold, and the moment they made contact with his warm skin, she pulled back instinctively, as if burnt. Losing his patience, Gareth abruptly yanked the tie from her grasp, his tone steady, "That’s enough." In a few swift moves, he efficiently tied the perfect knot. Elena rubbed her fingertips, still feeling a trace of heat from the contact. She thought to herself how she should be more mindful in the future. Even if their interactions were currently amicable, personal boundaries must be respected. She wouldn’t want to encounter another embarrassing situation like earlier. After drying her hair, Elena stepped out in a new dress. The hem hung just above her knees—demure but stylish. “Not too cold for you?” Gareth asked from his spot leaning against the wall, casting a quick glance her way. "As long as I’m not freezing, looking good is my priority," she replied confidently. Usually, Elena kept a fresh face, but with a touch of makeup now, she felt her lips fuller, and her skin looked soft, like exquisite porcelain. Her features were strikingly delicate, not overdone but simply beautiful—like the gently flowing waters of Jiangnan, transparent, gentle, and soft. Gareth couldn't help but notice her slender waist hugged perfectly by the dress, accentuating her figure, almost as if it was tailor-made for her. “Just so you know, once we head downstairs, don’t complain about the cold.” Elena took a deep breath, “Please, I’m full of energy.” The weather in Southgate was mild, just some breeze and drizzles—not freezing enough for snow; it was hardly ever punishing. As soon as they stepped outside, Elena’s mother, Lady Evelyn Vale, called, clearly anxious about their whereabouts. After hanging up, she sighed, feeling like an errant pigeon under her mother's watchful eye. Reaching the underground parking of the condo complex, she jingled her car keys, mentioning her vehicle was parked elsewhere. “I drove,” she announced. Upon hearing someone else was behind the wheel, Elena’s face lit up, "You should have told me sooner!" With long strides, Gareth led her to a sleek black Panamera parked nearby. Elena didn’t know much about cars, but she vaguely recalled that this model’s entry-level pricing was close to six figures. “That’s your car?” she said, an astonished tone slipping into her words. It wasn’t just the car that surprised her; she’d assumed Gareth was still in the startup phase, not realizing he had wealth backing him up now. “It normally stays in the garage; I don’t drive it that often,” he replied, disinterested in flaunting his wealth. Based on his usual attire, Gareth was decidedly understated and unflashy. As she settled into the passenger seat, Elena was cautious not to seem too intrigued. He must’ve picked such a flashy car to meet her mother’s standards for a good son-in-law. **Gareth Vale’s thoughts**: Meeting her parents, Lord Richard and Lady Evelyn Vale, he indeed had to put on some kind of show.
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