"No, I don't want to go. I'm simple-minded. I'll be laughed at." Freya uneasily looked away. Every time she looked into Bradley's eyes, she would be reminded of Adams.

The two of them felt way too similar.

Especially when it came to their eyes which were so slender yet cold, deep yet mysterious. They were like black holes that drew her in.

"Don't be scared. I'll be there. I'll protect you."

Bradley deliberately leaned in close to her ear as he spoke.

Freya glanced at his legs. Although she knew he was just trying to pacify her, it still made her feel warm on the inside.

Throughout her life, she had always been alone. The Lawson family would push her around. That family in the countryside would bully her as well. Only two person had ever promised to protect her.

One was the masked boy, and the other was Bradley.

While the masked man did not fulfill his promise in the end, he was the first person who ever said he would protect her. Hence, she always kept him in mind.

While Bradley could not move around as he pleased, he would protect her when she was being wronged.

Freya was not afraid of being bullied. She just was not used to being around a group of strangers, especially since she disliked Ethan and worried that she would not be able to resist the urge to hit him as soon as she saw him.

"Can we visit before we get legally married?"

She planned on playing dumb during the visit. The moment she angered the Austins, the plan to get legally married would be ruined.

Naturally, Bradley saw through her plan. Still, he did not expose her. He merely raised his eyebrows and said, "No. We must be wed tomorrow."

"Mr. Bradley!" Freya grabbed his arm and shook it while pouting up at him.

Bradley held in the urge to laugh and held her hand as he hoarsely said, "We can don't get married tomorrow. We'll consummate our marriage then."

For some reason, he just loved to watch her panic and blush. Her watery eyes would shimmer with embarrassment that looked very innocent and pitiful. She was so alluring.

Freya swiftly pulled her hand back and nearly jumped to her feet.

"C-Consummate?"

She would rather get married.

She could get divorced afterward, but if she did the deed with him, it would not be so easy to leave him in the future.

"You have two choices. Either you consummate our marriage, or we get married tomorrow. You choose."

The sight of her anxiously chewing on her lip cheered Bradley up. He wanted to keep teasing her.

"Is there a third choice?" Freya felt like crying. She did not like either of those two options.

He abruptly leaned in close and pinned her against the bathtub. As he silently looked down at her, he said, "Let's spend the night together then."

After they consummate their marriage, it would be easier for them to get married.

Freya's face turned bright her. Her heart was pounding wildly with how close he was. His eyes, passionate and blazing with a fire that threatened to consume her, were reflected in his. There was a fragrance lingering in the air due to the shampoo, and it mingled with the strong and dominating masculine scent wafting through the room.

She shoved at his chest in her panic as she tried to escape.

"Are you trying to run away?" he whispered into her ear with a raised eyebrow before wrapping his arms around her.

Held down with no room to move, Freya blinked innocently at him. "I'll get married to you. Let me go first."

This man was dangerous despite his limited mobility. He was also unusually strong, so she had to concede defeat for now.

A dark glint flashed through his eyes when he heard that.

"Alright. Tomorrow morning, we'll get our marriage certificate."

He then dipped his head down to kiss her lush and tempting lips.

He could no longer hold back as he had wanted to kiss her ever since they were at the Lawson Mansion.

Freya was caught off guard by the kiss and shoved him away when she snapped back to her senses. "You said choose one, and I've made my choice!"

"I only want to kiss you. We won't be consummating our marriage tonight." He moved to kiss her elusive lips while his narrow eyes were filled with a dim fire.

A large hand wrapped around Freya's waist. They were close enough that she could sense the danger coming from him. Her face was burning bright red. Even her heart was skipping.

She knew she could not move recklessly or things might get dangerous.

Who knew how much time passed before he finally let her go. Freya felt like her lungs had been squeezed of all air. When she finally could breathe again, she had to take big gulps of fresh air.

When she caught her breath, she angrily glared at him.

"You're a liar! I'm ignoring you."

She then ran out of the bathroom, through the bedroom and back to her room like she was running for her life.

He crossed his arms and watched her run off while his slender fingers stroked across his lips. The taste of her lips would linger in his memories forever.

At that thought, he could feel his entire body burn up.

He walked out of the bathtub and stood under the shower head, allowing the icy cold water to stream down his body.

Freya locked the door behind her when she returned to her room. Then, she changed into a clean set of nightwear before hiding herself in her blanket.

Her cheeks burned while her heart raced when she thought of the kiss.

Bradley was too dangerous with his eyesight back. Even if she did not look at his face, just looking into his black eyes made her nervous.

…

The next morning.

A cool breeze drifted in through the half-open window, causing the pink lace curtains to flutter. Sunlight poured onto the large bed, shining down on Freya's face, making her delicate and small face appear exceptionally fair while highlighting the fine hairs on her face.

"Morning!"

As Freya opened her eyes to welcome the sunlight, a deep and mellow voice rang out from beside her.

In an instant, her drowsiness vanished as she turned to look beside her.

She immediately saw Arthur's face right next to her with his dark eyes trained on her while a mischievous smiled played at the corner of his lips.

His black sleep robe was wide open with the belt loosely tied around his waist, revealing his firm and muscular torso. At that moment, her head was pillowed on his arm while her arms were wrapped around his waist. Even her legs were resting on his body.

The rich and alluring masculine scent filled the air, leaving Freya to dazedly stare as her heart seemed to have stopped.

What was going on? She had clearly locked the door last night.

More importantly, she had not even known he had entered her room. She was also wrapped around him in an intimate position.

Freya was beside herself with unease. With blushing cheeks, she asked, "H-How did you get in?"

The way she shy bit her lip while her moist lips sparkled in the light, Bradley smiled.

"I came in with the wheelchair. What is it?"

After his showed, he had walked over to find the door locked. Thus, he had Frederick unlock the door. When he walked in, he found her deep asleep.

He did not wake her up and just lay down beside her to sleep with her.

It was strange. For seven years, he had found it hard to fall asleep. However, as long as he was with her, he would inexplicably feel at ease. She seemed to have a magic power that would make him let down all his defenses.

However, she had tormented him throughout the night that evening.

She did not rest on her side and insisted on hugging him or kissing him. Her hands would also restlessly roam all over his body. In the end, she just climbed on top of him.