Back down

Irene responded firmly, locking eyes with him as he gently held her cheek, his thumb caressing her lips.

"Is that so?" Theodore tried to suppress a smile, hearing her passionately defend him without even knowing what he looks like.

He never regretted his decision, but he found himself enjoying this charade as Cyril more than he had anticipated. He rarely revealed his true identity, only doing so when necessary, while keeping his face hidden from the world.

But with Irene, it felt like the right choice. He could see that she wasn't trying to win him over, despite knowing he was Cyril Myers. She had the opportunity to ask for numerous favors, yet she chose to defend her husband whom she had never met.

"Yes, I don't need any validation from you," Irene blinked, shrugging her shoulders to show that she didn't care about his opinion.

Irene didn't know what her husband looked like or how terrible he could be because they had never met. However, she despised people who lacked empathy and made