Nathan replied calmly, âYou were incredibly weary last night.
You dozed off during the movie, so I brought you back to the room to get some rest.
â
Lucinda sensed something was amiss and looked at him, puzzled.
âDid you⦠Did you do anything to me while I was asleep?â
He found himself at a loss for words.
Perched on the bedâs edge, he took the bowl of porridge and stirred it patiently, letting it cool.
âNo need to worry, Iâm a gentleman.
If I ever desire intimacy, Iâll seek your consent first.
Iâll never coerce you into anything.
â
Lucinda trusted him, of course.
She fixed her gaze on him as he stirred the porridge.
Even in this simple act, his face remained pleasant to behold.
Yet, she had a nagging feeling that something wasnât right.
âHoney, whatâs wrong with your face? It looks a bit fatter than yesterday.
â
Nathan was a bit cornered and replied calmly, âI think Iâve been overeating lately, which has made my face look fuller.
I can cut back on eating if it bothers you.
â
âThereâs no need for that.
Youâre as good-looking as you are.
Even with fuller cheeks, youâre still handsome.
Butâ¦â
Her voice trailed off as she squinted, scrutinizing his face.
âYour left side seems a bit larger than the right.
It doesnât look symmetrical.
â
Nathan was at a loss for words again.
He gently blew on the spoonful of porridge to cool it and brought it to her lips, continuing his facade,
âPeopleâs faces arenât perfectly symmetrical.
Iâve been chewing more on my left side recently.
Maybe thatâs why it looks a bit larger.
â
This seemed to make sense to her.
Lucinda didnât press further on the matter.
She savored each mouthful of porridge, relishing the care her husband had put into it.
Upon waking, she was unaware of the time.
She tried to reach for her phone on the bedside table to check for work-related information, but as her hand stretched out, she noticed something was amiss.
She inquired, âHoney, Iâve been pondering whatâs off about the room.
It just struck me-the bedside lamp is gone.
â
After a brief pause, Nathan wore his warm smile once again.
He explained, âHoney, donât you remember? You mentioned last night that the light from the bedside lamp was too harsh and asked me to remove it.
You said you didnât need it anymore.
â
Lucinda looked puzzled.
âWhy donât I recall that? Plus, the lampâs light is quite gentle.
I wouldnât have thought it was harsh.
â
With a soft smile, Nathan brought a spoonful of porridge to her Lips.
âWho knows what goes on in your mind? Honey, youâve been pushing yourself too hard lately.
Forgetting a small thing like this after sleeping is typical.
âTypical?