"Donovan," she called softly. Her warm, gentle voice was like a breeze from Jiangnan, impossibly soft. Donovan Xavier’s heart was in turmoil. He had always prided himself on being cool and self-possessed, but he never thought he would one day be so infatuated with a woman. He had lost. Utterly and completely. But since it was her, he was more than willing to surrender. Chloe Preston lay on the bed, utterly exhausted. She didn’t move for a long, long time. Thinking about their earlier sweetness, she boldly leaned in closer, wrapping her arms around the man’s firm waist and pressing her small face against his broad, warm, and damp back. She called his name, her tone as gentle as water. Chloe Preston didn’t wait for him to speak. She pressed against his spine, her eyes still red from her earlier tears. Feeling the scorching heat of his body, she inhaled, her voice hoarse as she spoke. "I really, really like you..." "You have to be good to me, always spoil me, okay?" "Will... will you marry me? I’m not after the title of Mrs. Xavier; I just want to be your wife." "Donovan, will you be my husband?" "I’ll take care of you, be a good wife, and give you children..." For the first time, she confessed so boldly. Her nose tingled, her face flushed crimson, and her heart raced as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks again. His back grew damp with her tears. Chloe Preston hugged his firm waist and waited patiently for a few seconds, but there was still no response. "Donovan Xavier, are you listening?" Chloe Preston frowned. Biting her lip, she rose and leaned closer to look at him. One glance was all it took for her face to darken. She clenched her small fists in anger. He actually... fell... asleep! I poured my heart out so sincerely, I even made myself cry! My eyes are aching from all the tears, and for what? Absolutely nothing. And look at him, sleeping so soundly! I wonder what he’s dreaming about to make him smile like that? Still unable to contain her fury, she grabbed the nearby pillow and pressed it hard against his handsome face. Unable to breathe, Donovan Xavier jolted awake. "What’s going on?" He snatched the pillow away, glanced at her, and chuckled. "Darling, did you have a nightmare?" "Come here," he coaxed. "Let me hold you." Chloe Preston glared at him furiously. Her pretty face was streaked with tears, her eyes were red-rimmed, and her hair was a tousled mess. She looked aggrieved, yet undeniably cute. The sight made Donovan Xavier’s heart melt. He reached out, intending to pull her into his embrace. Chloe Preston slapped his hand away, her pretty face set stubbornly, refusing his touch. Donovan Xavier raised an eyebrow, his voice rich and languid. "What’s wrong? Did I upset you?" "You did upset me!" Chloe Preston’s eyes were watery as she glared at him, the rims red with anger. I spoke so earnestly, and he slept soundly through the whole thing! Chloe Preston lay back down, pulled the covers over herself, and turned her back to him. Naturally, Donovan Xavier tried to soothe her. He moved closer and nestled his chin in the crook of her neck, nuzzling her gently. "Don’t touch me," Chloe Preston said with her eyes closed, nudging him with her elbow. He insisted on holding her, however, his warm breath ghosting over her ear. "My sweet girl, why are you so angry all of a sudden?" Chloe Preston closed her eyes and ignored him. Donovan Xavier gazed at her, his dark eyes deep, as he idly toyed with a strand of her hair. Still furious, Chloe Preston turned over to face him and kicked his thigh. "You’re sleeping on the sofa tonight." For a moment, Donovan Xavier thought he had misheard. Chloe Preston pointed toward the sofa. "You made me unhappy. Tonight, you’re not allowed to hold me while we sleep." "There’s a blanket on the sofa. Go on." Donovan Xavier’s brows knitted together. He reached out and pulled her forcefully into his arms. "No," he said, his tone firm. "Chloe Preston, I think I’ve spoiled you rotten. You dare to order me around now!" "Not obedient at all." Chloe Preston glanced at him, paused, then threw back the covers and prepared to get out of bed. "What is all this fuss about?" Donovan Xavier pulled her back, his voice finally tinged with displeasure. Her eyes still red, Chloe Preston said, "If you won’t go, I will. Either way, I’m not sleeping in this bed with you tonight." Donovan Xavier’s brow furrowed. "Just try it." Unafraid of his sharp gaze, she retorted, "Then I will." Donovan Xavier’s handsome face darkened as a surge of inexplicable anger rose within him. He leaned over her, pressing her down into the mattress, his tone laced with a dangerous edge. "Chloe Preston, if you keep this up, don’t blame me for not being gentle." Her eyes clear and bright, she stared right back at him. "And how would you not be gentle? Are you going to hit me?" To her surprise, he laughed, his voice softening. "Hit you? I could never bear to do that." Chloe Preston snorted. "That’s what I thought." She turned onto her side, buried her head in the quilt, and closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. Seeing this, Donovan Xavier lay down beside her and wrapped his arms around her. He murmured, "So strange... I have no idea what she’s so angry about." Chloe Preston’s eyelashes trembled slightly. If he had been awake, he would have heard me say ’I like you’ over and over again. He would have heard how much I want him to marry me. But on second thought, maybe it’s better that he didn’t. I’m actually a little scared, afraid that his answer wouldn’t be the one I want to hear. As she mused, she turned over again and snuggled into his embrace, hugging his firm waist tightly. She was like a little kitten, incredibly clingy. Donovan Xavier was quite helpless. One moment she’s fighting with me, the next she’s clinging to me. She’s really wearing me out. 「Early the next morning.」 Chloe Preston drowsily poked her head out from under the covers and rubbed her sleepy eyes. She turned her head to look for the man beside her. She reached out to touch the pillow where he had slept. It was cold. He must have left a long time ago. She didn’t dwell on it, assuming he had gone to the office to handle work. Chloe Preston got up, went to the bathroom to wash up, and planned to check on her shop’s business later. A client had brought her an authentic but damaged piece by David Wade, asking for her help in restoring it. Sigh. I’m just as busy as he is. The sky was gloomy. A light rain had fallen not long before. Donovan Xavier drove until he stopped at the foot of a mountain. He stepped out of the car. He was tall and imposing, his pure black suit perfectly tailored. He exuded an aura of cool, noble detachment. Donovan Xavier took a bouquet of white chrysanthemums from the car, turned, and began walking up the steps. A thick fog covered the mountain, and a cold wind blew, creating a sinister atmosphere.