Keats Duncan scratched his neck awkwardly.

" But I thought it wasn't appropriate for a big man like me to go to your love nest... So I gave the address to his secretary. "

" I didn't expect that to happen. I'm sorry. "

" But William's love for you is obvious to everyone. "

" Who told you to talk so much? Go outside and deal with things. "

William couldn't stand it anymore and threw the pillow on the bed at  Keats Duncan's head.

This movement pulled at his wound, and William let out a pained groan.

" Who told you to move? "

William leaned against the headboard, pretending to be weak.

" It hurts... "

I believed him and was about to call the doctor.

But William grabbed my wrist.

" Kiss me, and the pain will go away. "

I sat back down and helplessly held William's hand.

" I'm not a painkiller. "

" How do you know it won't work if you don't kiss me? "

I lowered my head and touched William's fingertips with my lips.

His fingertips gently brushed across my lower lip, and a slight tingling sensation spread from my lips.

I coughed lightly to cover up my embarrassment.

" The flowers  Keats Duncan mentioned... Are they the roses I planted? "

William let me play with his fingertips, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

" You know the answer. There are only your flowers at home, right? "

I licked my dry lower lip and continued.

" On the day I left, I brought the flowers back too. But I don't know why. They don't grow as well as when you took care of them. "

" It seems this big task of flower - growing can only be entrusted to me. "

William's eyes softened as he looked at me.

" I just wonder if you have a place for me. "

I met William's gaze.

" What identity will you move in with? "

" Your future husband. "

I was stunned. Something was pushed to the base of my ring finger.

I mustered up the courage to look. The ring sparkled in the light.

" When did you... "

" That night, I thought you were asleep, so I secretly measured your finger. "

" It seems I got it right. "

William took a deep breath. His voice was gentle and firm.

" Do you accept this identity? "

" I do. "

William leaned forward.

His second kiss landed on the corner of my lips.

Eve Raphael was caught faster than I expected.

He was charged with extortion, intentional injury, and the domestic violence crime I reported from several years ago.

There were both witnesses and evidence, and with William refusing to reconcile.

He would spend the rest of his life in prison.

The shadow that I thought would haunt me for a lifetime finally dissipated.

" It's a great day today. How about we have hot pot to celebrate? "

I wrapped my arm around William's and suggested.

William's eyes curved into a narrow crescent. He always granted my wishes.

" Sure. "

" And let's also buy the grape - filled cake from that dessert shop on the way. "

" Anything else? "

" I can't think of anything for now. We'll talk about it on the way. "

I held William's warm hand, and the chill of the late autumn was completely dispelled.

The long - standing illness in my heart was removed and filled with a heavy yet light love.

(The End)