Denver Petal walked slowly towards the bed, and Olivia Williams suddenly sat up, quickly turning on the bedside lamp.

She wasn’t asleep yet.

The light was dazzling, their eyes met, and both were momentarily stunned.

Olivia was the first to speak: "Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come back?"

"I got things sorted out, so I came back." Denver snapped back to reality, his gaze landing on her, finding it hard to look away.

Denver smiled, stepping to the bedside.

Olivia pursed her lips: "It’s late, you should go rest."

"Why haven’t you been sleeping?" Denver asked thoughtfully as he looked at her.

"Just watched a video earlier."

"Really?"

"Yes." Olivia’s tone became a bit stiff.

Unexpectedly, Denver leaned in and embraced her, sighed: "I’ve let you down during this time."

"No."

"Really no?"

Olivia said quietly: "A little bit."

"It won’t happen again." Denver hugged her tighter, "Things are settled; thank you for giving me time. Watch my actions from now on."

"You don’t need to try so hard to please me." Olivia spoke while pursing her lips.

Denver laughed, "Why are you so magnanimous?"

"We’re in a contract marriage, a name without..."

Before Olivia could finish her last word, Denver turned his head and blocked her mouth, gripping the hand she reached out to push him with; slowly, he intertwined his fingers with hers.

The issue concerning Josephine Holland had been weighing on him all this time; apart from the time on the balcony, he hadn’t touched Olivia since.

Now kissing her, he only felt satisfaction and also a bit of excitement, his heart racing like a young lover; eventually, he pulled away the quilt with one hand,

"Don’t do this." Olivia was still resisting helplessly.

Denver wouldn’t relent, kissing her while saying, "From today, let’s be a genuine couple."

"I’m not ready yet." Olivia suddenly said.

Denver detected the firmness in her words and stopped, gazing at her deeply, the surging tenderness unconcealed, all contained within his eyes.

Olivia felt tightness in her scalp from his gaze, calmed her emotions, and spoke as evenly as possible: "I want a stable life, even if it’s dull."

"So do I." Denver nodded.

"Let’s not mention the past, be loyal and responsible. Can you do that?"

"I promise."

Olivia pursed her lips, "Your promise doesn’t seem to mean much; as soon as the phone rings, you leave, don’t you?"

Her words carried a subtle jealousy, and as Denver gazed at her, he couldn’t help but laugh.

"Why are you laughing?"

"I thought you never cared."

"I don’t care."

"Really?"

Olivia fell silent, she indeed wasn’t very happy, but she was someone who kept her emotions in check and always adhered to the agreement, unwilling to delve into Denver’s personal matters.

Yet——

She understood the folly in self-deception.

Reflecting on it brought a tinge of annoyance; she swung her fist directly at him.

Denver caught it in one grip, couldn’t help but hold her tightly, and laughed softly: "Alright, alright, I won’t have any dealings with Josephine anymore. Seeing you like this is rare; it melts my heart."