“Oh? Is that so? But she said it was because you gave her signals, which is why she approached you,” Maria remarked as she carried the small cake towards the car. Hearing this, Sidney immediately tensed up.His sharp eyes fixed on her as he explained, “Maria, I swear I never gave her any signals. The only reason I met her was through my mom. I made it clear I wasn’t interested in her. Later, we only stayed in contact because she introduced me to a client. I didn’t want to owe her, so I did her a small favor-nothing more.”The time they had run into each other at the restaurant was right after Diana had introduced him to a client, and he had treated her to a meal as thanks.Back then, Maria had been with Herman.At that time, Sidney hadn’t yet figured out his feelings.Seeing her with such a handsome and accomplished man, he had felt irritated and something else he hadn’t fully understood. He had only known that it bothered him, but he hadn’t thought too deeply about why.Later, when he realized how he truly felt about her, he regretted not walking over then. Maybe if he had, they wouldn’t have gone through so many twists and turns. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒindNoᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Sidney’s explanation was earnest, and his eyes were clear, without a hint of guilt or hesitation.Maria noticed and smiled a little more.”I told her I didn’t care.”Sidney froze, his breath catching in his throat. The tension he had felt when she was questioning him was nothing compared to the pain he felt now.It was as if a large hand was squeezing his heart, making it hard to breathe.She didn’t care that meant there was no place for him in her heart. If she cared about him at all, she wouldn’t be indifferent.He cared a lot about Herman, for example. The moment Herman appeared, Sidney felt a strong sense of unease.Sidney took a deep breath and said, “As long as you’re not bothered, that’s all that matters. Let’s go home.”It’s fine.They had just gotten married. Their lives would become more intertwined over time, and he believed that one day, he would have a place in her heart. “Alright,” she agreed.Maria didn’t notice the shift in Sidney’s emotions.Diana’s appearance and the things she said hadn’t stirred any waves in her heart.She only found Sidney’s eagerness to explain rather endearing.He seemed so afraid she would mind, that she’d be jealous.How could that be? That was all in the past.Even if something had happened, she wouldn’t care.When they got home, Maria enjoyed the cake, lounging on the couch like a lazy cat, too comfortable to move.Sidney walked over and said, “The bath is ready. Want to take a bath?””Yes.”Maria nodded and was about to get up when Sidney suddenly leaned down and scooped her into his arms, carrying her toward the bathroom. As he walked, he kissed herforehead, nose, cheeks, and lipsHis breath lingered along the way, their touch growing increasingly intimate. Maria wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to him.The water in the bathtub was warm, and as Maria sank into it, some of her exhaustion melted away.But then Sidney’s heated bodypressed against hers, moving andbrushing against her, making herkeenly aware of every change in him.The water rippled as she struggled to hold onto the edge of the tub, but she had no strength left, and she was slipping.A strong hand gripped her waist, turning her around so she was now seated on his abdomen.”Mm…”Maria couldn’t hold back and let out a soft moan.