---- room, watching Nikki's face so pale it was almost translucent, that he realized- That feeling hadn't been guilt at all. It had been heartbreak. It had always been heartbreak. His love for Nikki had begun from heartbreak-from the first moment he ever laid eyes on her. It was during the university's freshman gala. Nikki had been one of the evening's hosts. Backstage, two groups had gotten into a heated argument. She had stepped in to mediate, only to be elbowed in the ribs by an agitated male student. Levi had been standing there, helpless, watching this slender girl's face turn white with pain-and yet she had still forced herself to smile, still trying to smooth things over. In that moment, he had wanted nothing more than to shield her in his arms and protect her for ---- the rest of his life. And that feeling-that love-had never changed. Not once in all these years. But long companionship had made him careless and complacent. And his parents' constant nagging about heirs had worn him down, bit by bit. Until finally, when they once again suggested he find another woman to bear a child for the family... He had stayed silent. His parents, seasoned businessmen who could sniff out hesitation like sharks scenting blood, had immediately understood. So when he later found Lily's resume- handpicked and placed prominently on his desk- he instantly knew it was no accident. He had felt a flicker of irritation, but nothing ---- stronger. And that terrified him. It terrified him that he hadn't instantly rejected the idea. Originally, he had intended to dismiss Lily's file altogether. Toss it in the bin and forget the whole thing. But fate-or perhaps irony-had other plans. Just as he was about to toss it, Nikki had walked in with a lunch she had made especially for him. She spotted the resume lying there and, curious, asked if he was planning to hire this fresh-faced girl. He had made some offhand remark to brush it off, and Nikki-trusting as always-hadn't suspected a thing. In that moment, he had changed his mind. After all, Nikki trusted him so deeply. What could possibly go wrong?