?Chapter 942:


    He walked her home, reminded her to give the name some thought, and didn’t press the issue further.


    Initially, he hadn’t nned to push her about changing what she called him. He was fine with whatever she liked. But the more he thought about it, the more “Captain” felt off.


    It carried too much ambiguity. If she kept calling him that, anyone who didn’t know the full story wouldn’t realize they were together. Better to change it now and let the new name settle in naturally over time.


    When Freya arrived home, Ethel was sprawled out watching a variety show. As soon as she noticed Freya, she paused the program and leaned forward eagerly. “Mina, did you and Ellis get together yesterday?”


    “Yeah,” Freya replied simply.


    “What’s it feel like?”


    “What do you mean?”


    “You know—being with someone. Do you feel like you’re walking on clouds or something?” Ethel looked genuinely curious.


    “It feelsforting. Safe,” Freya answered with a touch of restraint.


    Since Ethel had a boyfriend too, Freya figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.


    “How do you and your boyfriend address each other?”


    “Huh?”


    “You know… what do you call each other?”


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    “Oh, just Jarrett and She,” Ethel said quickly, her eyes darting to the side.


    Freya wasn’t fooled. “What about in private?”


    Ethel pursed her lips, clearly debating whether or not to answer. She didn’t usually feel awkward saying those names, but now that it was out in the open, she hesitated.


    “Sweetheart,” she finally confessed, a bit bashful. “Or sometimes darling, stuff like that.”


    Freya paused, picturing herself calling Ellis like that. Nope. Not happening.


    “Why are you asking?” Ethel asked curiously.


    “My boyfriend wants me toe up with a different way to address him,” Freya said.


    “That’s easy! Sweetheart, darling, babe, honey,” Ethel rattled off cheerfully. “Whatever you call him, he’ll adore it.”


    “Too casual,” Freya said, her tone serious.


    “Why does it need to be formal?” Ethel tilted her head. “In public, sure — use Captain or his name. But in private, keep it warm. Keep it close.”


    Freya paused.


    She realized then that she’d always treated her rtionship with Ellis with a kind of formality.


    “In a rtionship, it’s okay to be a little soft sometimes,” Ethel added. “Like, let him unscrew the top of a bottle when you’re drinking. Or let him carry your bags when you’re shopping.”


    Freya gave it real thought and concluded that Ethel’s rtionship style didn’t quite suit her.


    Ethel ended with a knowing smile. “Every couple’s got their own rhythm. Just don’t forget—you’ve got a boyfriend now.”


    Freya had always relied on herself. Even with n, she never leaned on others or yed the fragile type.


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