?Chapter 848:


    Forcing himself to stayposed, he carried her toward the bedroom and gentlyid her down on the bed.


    Taking a step back, he willed himself to leave—but then, he felt a slight pull.


    He looked down. Her hair had tangled around his shirt button. As he hesitated, working to free the delicate strands, he realized how close they were.


    He could see every detail of her face—the flutter of hershes, the softness of her skin.


    And then there were her lips—faintly parted, their natural hue reminiscent of ripe fruit. His mind wandered dangerously.


    His breathing grew uneven. He was losing control. As if drawn by an invisible force, he leaned in, his lips hovering just above hers. Then, in an instant, he snapped back, recoiling as if burned. A wave of guilt crashed over him.


    “What the hell are you doing, An? Rachel’s asleep. She has no idea. Acting like this makes you no better than a jerk,” his mind berated him. After all, their marriage was nothing more than a facade.


    The scent of food drifted into Rachel’s senses as she stirred awake. Her stomach clenched with hunger—she hadn’t eaten anything the night before.


    Still groggy, she didn’t give it much thought and padded to the dining room in her pajamas.


    She assumed it was Samira or Yvonne preparing breakfast, but when she spotted An emerging from the kitchen with a te of food, she froze.


    g?lnσν????s?c?m fuels your imagination


    “An? When did you get back?”


    “I came hometest night. You were already asleep, so I didn’t wake you.”


    Rachel frowned slightly, thinking back. She distinctly remembered dozing off on the sofa—but waking up in bed. There was no doubt An had carried her.


    “You must be starving. Go freshen up, thene eat.”


    Ever since An returned, Rachel’s daily routine had be more structured.


    Each evening, he ensured she left work on time.


    At home, he refused to let her bury herself in work, constantly urging her to rest.


    More than once, he would tell her,


    “Work never really ends. You’ve already done more than enough for today, so stop overloading yourself. When it’s time to unwind, unwind.”


    That evening, the moment they stepped inside, the sky darkened, and heavy rain began to pour.


    Within minutes, it was a full-blown downpour.


    The wind roared, bending trees under its force, and sheets of rain pounded against the windows.


    Rachel had never been fond of rain, but as she stood watching, she realized something—sometimes, simply observing the relentless downpour could be oddly soothing. The steady rhythm of water against ss quieted her thoughts.


    .


    .


    .