Chapter 9

I was so tired that I accidentally fell asleep in Zephyr’s arms.

The worst part?

He didn’t even wake me up or carry me to his bedroom.

When I finally woke up, it was already a new day.

I rubbed my temple as I slowly opened my eyes, feeling slightly dizzy from sleeping too long.

The unfamiliar surroundings immediately caught my attention, and I sat up abruptly.

My gaze swept across the room.

It was large.

Luxurious.

Decorated in shades of black and silver.

Then I noticed it.

The scent.

Cedarwood.

My heart skipped a beat.

Zephyr’s pheromone.

I lowered my head and inhaled the scent lingering on the sheets and blanket.

My cheeks burned.

I felt like a complete pervert.

And yet…

His scent made me feel safe.

Comfortable.

So much so that I didn’t want to leave the room at all.

Knock. Knock.

I flinched at the sudden sound.

I didn’t want to get out of bed.

But this wasn’t my house.

I couldn’t be rude.

Reluctantly, I wrapped the blanket around myself and walked toward the door.

I opened it slowly.

A middle-aged housemaid stood there, holding a neatly folded pile of clothes.

“Good morning, Mrs. Cole,” she greeted warmly. “I brought you some clothes. Mrs. Layla is letting you borrow hers for now.”

I blinked.

Layla Lloyd… Darren’s wife.

I hadn’t expected that.

We had only met a few times during my marriage to Rowan.

But even from those brief encounters, I knew she was kind.

Genuinely kind.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

“This is only temporary,” the maid added. “Mr. Lloyd has already instructed us to buy new clothes for you later today.”

I bit the inside of my cheek.

Uneasy.

Zephyr had already spent so much on me yesterday.

There was no way I could repay him anytime soon.

“Breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes,” she continued. “Please take your time to freshen up before heading to the dining room.”

I nodded.

Before she left, I asked, “Is Zephyr home?”

“Yes. Leader returned an hour ago and is currently resting in another room.”

My heart sank.

He was resting somewhere else… because of me?

After everything he had already done…

“Thank you for letting me know,” I murmured.

Once the door closed, I placed the clothes on the bed and walked into the bathroom.

I stopped in front of the sink.

My eyes fell on the neatly arranged items on the counter.

Floral shampoo.

A soft pink loofah.

Lotions.

Makeup wipes.

All clearly meant for a woman.

I blinked in disbelief.

Did Zephyr always keep these here?

I shook my head immediately.

“No… he doesn’t smell like flowers.”

I picked up the shampoo.

Still sealed.

New.

He had prepared all of this…

For me.

“How am I supposed to repay him…?”

I took a quick shower, using the floral products.

By the time I was done, my skin carried a soft, lingering scent.

I didn’t even need perfume anymore.

Half an hour later, I stepped out wearing a soft pink sweater and white pants.

Simple.

But comfortable.

And somehow… flattering.

I paused.

What was I even supposed to say to Zephyr?

Everything between us still felt…

Awkward.

The longest interaction we’d had was—

On the bed.

And all I had done…

Was moan and scream his name.

How embarrassing.

“Samantha.”

His voice startled me.

I turned.

Zephyr had just stepped out of the room next to mine.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked.

I swallowed.

My eyes instinctively scanned him.

Black T-shirt.

Baggy black pants.

Simple.

Yet somehow…

He looked even more attractive than before.

And his hair—

Messy.

But in a way that made him look even more—

I bit the inside of my lip.

What was wrong with me?

Since when did I think like this?

Was this because of the bond?

“I slept… too well,” I said, fidgeting with my hair. “I’m sorry if I caused any trouble.”

“You’re not a bother at all,” he replied. “I marked you. You’re my responsibility now.”

I smiled faintly.

No one had ever treated me like this before.

With Rowan…

I had been the one managing everything.

Providing.

Until he drained me of everything I had.

Back then, I didn’t think it was wrong.

But now…

Something deep inside me felt… happy.

Being taken care of.

Being valued.

“Then… thank you,” I said softly.

“Always.”

He raised his hand as if to pat my head.

But hesitated.

And instead, placed it on my shoulder.

“Let’s go to the dining room,” he said. “My mother and Eleanor are staying at the villa outside, so it’ll just be us and Darren’s family.”

I lowered my gaze.

Eleanor…

Of course she wouldn’t stay.

She didn’t approve of me.

And she had made that very clear.

But there was nothing I could do.

If someone hated me…

I could only endure it.

As we entered the dining room, a cheerful voice rang out.

“Hello!”

A little girl, around six years old, ran up to me with bright eyes.

“Are you going to marry my uncle?!”