It wasn't clear how much time had passed before the man released her. "Why did you come here? If something happened to you, what would I do?"

His angry inquiry, mixed with the biting chill of December, caused Freya to shiver involuntarily.

But his final words, "What would I do?" left her stunned.

Was he genuinely concerned about her? Anxious, even?

Before she could collect her thoughts, his lips found hers once more, passionate and untamed.

"What lengths must I go to keep you by my side, to prevent you from running away?"

His voice, low and warm, lingered against her skin, stirring a strange feeling within her. Freya's face flushed with confusion; his gentleness unsettled her.

"Lola threw my belongings here, so I came to retrieve... something,"

Bradley's eyes narrowed coldly. Indeed, it was her doing.

"If you lost something, you could have sought me out. I would have arranged for assistance without putting you in harm's way,"

After that, he pressed her against the tree and deepening their kiss.

Freya was taken aback; his dominance was overwhelming, pinning her against the tree like that.

With his eyes half-shut, he enveloped her in his embrace against the tree. Despite her height of 1.7 meters tall, Freya felt small in his arms.

Unable to find footing, she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist.

Though awkward, being held like this was uncomfortable!

"I didn't bring my phone; I didn't plan that far."

Freya pushed him away forcefully, irritated. "You clearly aren't disabled, so why deceive me?"

"Just as you feign ignorance, I had my reasons," he loosened his grip slightly, his gaze fixed on her face. His worries melted into relief, then ignited into something else.

Freya's cheeks reddened, her eyes meeting his. "No, you don't trust me, so you didn't intend to confide in me."

"You're mistaken. I was ready to confess everything to you long ago, but I just couldn't find the right opportunity."

"Then remove your mask and reveal your face to me," Freya demanded, convinced his facial deformity was fake too.

Bradley lifted her chin, scrutinizing her deeply. Her slightly swollen lips and blushing porcelain face were alluring and innocent, enticing him to continue kissing her.

As he leaned in once more, Freya swiftly covered his mouth with her hand. "Now is the perfect moment; it's just us here. You can confide in me, and I'll keep your secrets."

Bradley chuckled.

She was right; he had already seen through her completely, so there was no need for pretense.

He reached out and tore off his mask, revealing a strikingly beautiful yet sinister face.

Although Freya had anticipated it, seeing his face still widened her eyes.

Her heart raced uncontrollably!

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

It raced as though she were hiding a little rabbit.

No wonder she found Bradley's eyes, physique, and aura so familiar; he truly was Mr. Adams.

What a rascal.

He truly treated her like a fool.

Observing the girl's startled expression, the man's lips formed a slight curve. "Remember, you still have a condition to fulfill."

"You've been manipulating me all this time, so the agreement I made with you is void!"

The mere idea of him deceiving her with two identities ignited her anger.

She felt like a complete fool!

Noticing her anger, Bradley kissed her with increased intensity, embracing her tightly, and reassured her, "I carry heavy burdens of vengeance and must conceal myself, much like how you need to feign ignorance for safety. You're likely the one who knows me best."

"I don't understand. I don't understand. I just can't."

Freya shook her head in desperation, attempting to evade his kiss, but he sealed her lips once more.

"I've opened up my heart to you. I've given you time to comprehend me."

"Don't try to deceive me. I'm not a child," Freya bit him angrily. "You pretended to be blind to manipulate me, spied on me relentlessly, terrified me with your grotesque appearance, and took advantage of my pretense of disability. You, demon, have tormented me terribly."

Freya felt an overwhelming urge to bite him.

Bradley narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone turning cold. "You were sent by Arthur. I had to test you to determine if you were friend or foe. Besides, you willingly undressed in front of me. Can you really blame me?"

Freya bit his lips sharply, saying with anger, "Do you think I didn't notice? I've tested you several times, and you truly couldn't see."

No, he pretended not to see.

He was exceptionally skilled at disguising himself. Even she, a doctor, couldn't discern his pretense of blindness.

Above all, this man, on one hand, portrayed himself as an unbeatable hero saving the day, and on the other hand, pretended to be a helpless cripple to torment her. He was truly despicable.

Recalling the night of Bruce's birthday party when Bradley interrogated her, accusing her of fancying Mr. Adams and disliking him, she looked utterly crestfallen.

Who would get jealous of himself like that?

This man was a natural actor!

Bradley gazed at her pouting expression with cold, deep eyes, feeling strangely pleased. He gently pinched her cheek and softened his tone.

"Now that you're aware of my identity, don't think about leaving. I've made up my mind. My condition is for you to stay by my side forever."

He hadn't mentioned his condition earlier because he was waiting for this moment to tell her in person.

He desired nothing else; he wanted a woman who could warm his heart.

And that woman was none other than Freya!

"I already told you it's voided," Freya refused to yield. He was a notorious liar, and promises made to a liar couldn't be trusted.

She blinked her eyes mischievously, staring at him. "You may have promised me a wish. Since we're discussing conditions now, let me bring it up. My birthday wish is... to divorce you."

"Bradley, we're both unconventional individuals who conceal our true selves and engage in covert activities. Our relationship is a charade. Since we can't fully trust each other, let's... get a divorce!"

Her words were spoken softly, but she felt a tinge of sadness afterward.

"Divorce?" Bradley's expression darkened, a cold smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with frostiness. "Remember, we have an agreement between us. Unless I propose it myself, divorce is out of the question, unless I die!"

"I…"

"As for your birthday wish, divorce is out of the question!"

"You're not keeping your word!"

Freya glared at him angrily, while the man's handsome face remained icy cold, devoid of any hint of a smile. His obsidian-like cold, narrow eyes stared at her intensely, like a fierce beast fixating on its prey, glinting with a mysterious and boundless depth.