Chapter 279 Finally Done Pretending?

Chapter 279 Finally Done Pretending?
Vera's POV

By the time we returned from the Blackwell estate, it was already past ten o'clock at night.

We'd had dinner there, and afterward, Eleanor had pulled me aside to talk for the longest time, her every word brimming with affection for me. In just one evening, I seemed to have transformed overnight from an orphan girl with no family background or identity into everyone's beloved favorite.

But there was one person who wasn't happy about it.

Atlas had been unusually silent today, his expression rather cold as well. Although he was still thoughtful and attentive toward me, whenever I occasionally tried to say something to him, he appeared completely disinterested.

When we got out of the car, I glanced at Atlas walking ahead on his own, even his back radiating coldness. My dark eyes rolled with mischief, and suddenly I clutched my leg and cried out "Ouch!"

Hearing the sound, the ice and snow on Atlas's face melted away instantly, his expression flooding with anxiety and concern. "What's wrong?"

I looked up at him, my delicate, beautiful face carrying a trace of grievance. "I twisted my ankle."

Atlas's gaze darkened slightly. He swept me up horizontally into his arms and strode toward the house with long, powerful steps.

When the butler saw the two of us like this, he asked nervously, "What happened to Mrs. Blackwell?"

Atlas commanded in a deep voice, "Bring the first aid kit."

"Yes, sir."

The butler responded and hurried off to fetch the first aid kit.

Atlas carried me steadily into the bedroom and placed me on the bed. He knelt down on one knee on the floor and reached out to remove my shoes and socks.

Feeling guilty, I pulled my leg back and laughed. "Actually... I think it's fine now."

Atlas looked up at me, his eyes full of earnestness and seriousness. "Be good."

At that moment, the butler had already brought in the first aid kit. Atlas took it from his hands and dismissed him.

I had no choice but to let Atlas remove the shoes and socks from both my feet.

My fair, delicate feet showed no abnormalities whatsoever—not even a hint of redness or swelling.

Yet Atlas still held my ankle carefully and gently in his grasp, pressing and checking bit by bit.

"Does it hurt here? What about here?"

My conscience finally couldn't take it anymore. I pulled both legs back, slipping my ankle from Atlas's palm. "I was lying to you. My ankle isn't sprained."

A smile curved at the corner of Atlas's lips. "Finally done pretending?"

I looked at him in amazement and surprise. "You knew all along?"

And yet he'd still gone through all that trouble with the first aid kit and conducting the examination.

Atlas sat down beside me on the bed, the affection and indulgence in his eyes plain for all to see. "When my wife wants to play games, of course I'm going to play along."

Warmth rose in my heart like a tide. I must have saved the entire galaxy in my previous life to meet a man as wonderful as Atlas in this one.

I placed my hand on Atlas's arm, making him face me directly, my clear eyes carrying a hint of probing uncertainty. "Today... were you upset?"

Upset that I hadn't discussed it with him before agreeing to go work at Grant Group.

Atlas's gaze flickered slightly. He didn't answer immediately, but instead pulled me into his embrace. After holding me for a while, he finally spoke quietly and distantly. "I'm not upset. I just... suddenly realized that even without me, you could still shine brilliantly and be beautiful all on your own."

I emerged from his embrace. I reached out with both hands, gently cupping Atlas's face. Despite my gentle, delicate features, my expression took on an incredibly determined and serious look. "Atlas, listen to me. Everything I'm doing now, I'm doing it all because of you."

"We've walked through so many storms and trials together along this journey. Every time I've encountered danger, you've appeared at my side like some kind of guardian deity, always there to keep me safe and protect me from all harm."

"But sometimes, I also think—what if one day you encounter danger? How would I save you?"

"So I don't want to be a dodder vine clinging to you for survival. I want to work hard to become stronger. I want to be a kapok tree, standing beside you as your equal."

"I hope that when you need me, I'll also have the ability and capability to protect you."

"I hope that no matter what storms and hardships we encounter, we can face them together, hand in hand, moving forward side by side."

Looking at the sincerity in her eyes, Atlas was deeply moved. He leaned down and kissed her fiercely, passionately.

That night Atlas was very intense, holding me tightly in his arms, pressed against me without the slightest gap between us, as if he wanted to merge me into his very bones and blood. Several times, I felt like he was going to devour me completely.

But after the violent storm came the gentle drizzle—he became so tender and gentle, giving me a chance to catch my breath and recover.

After a night of thorough, exhilarating passion and lovemaking, the two of us who loved each other deeply fell into a deep, peaceful sleep in each other's arms.