Chapter 1
For five years, Christine Waltz had been secretly involved with Harry Crawford, the younger brother of her sister in-law, Jane Crawford. Harry was impossibly handsome, tall and built like a soldier, with the raw, dangerous aura of a wild young wolf. But what truly hooked Christine wasn’t just his looks but also the contrast: this man, feared by others as a ruthless and untamable force, turned into the gentlest of puppies whenever he was with her. That stark duality hit all the right nerves in her, leaving her addicted and unable to walk away. He knew exactly how to handle every sensitive part of her with a perfect blend of tenderness and dominance. As she bent over to fix the bedding, he slipped behind her, arms wrapping around her waist. His breath, hot and seductive, teased her ear as his teeth grazed her earlobe. There was a forceful sensuality in his touch, yet also a surprising softness. “You look beautiful today, darling” Harry whispered. “Stop it, Harry…” Christine’s voice was shaky, tinged with desire and resistance. “You say no,” he chuckled darkly, “but your body gives in with just one touch. I love how your words and reactions never match.” Her soft moans were all the affirmation he needed. “Your body,” he murmured against her skin, “so soft, so sweet… I’ll never stop being obsessed with it.” Christine turned and kissed him, whispering between shallow breaths, “I’ll always stay enchanting… just for you.” Only after rounds of heated intimacy did their passion finally begin to cool. As she helped him fasten his belt, she asked casually though her heart was not light. “Harry, what do you think we are now?” Harry, who had been buttoning up his shirt, paused. He gently ran his fingers through her hair and replied softly, “Trying to take responsibility for me, are you, Christine? Once we’re back from this camping trip, I’ll have a master choose an auspicious date. Let’s get engaged.” Whenever her family asked about her love life, Christine would always dodge the question. But now she was thirty and the blind dates had begun. Their secret affair had always been mutual, a deliberate decision to stay hidden. But hearing him talk about a future together, finally eased the weight in her heart. She picked up the clothes scattered across the floor, dressed herself quickly and headed out to the tea gathering with her friends. They were already seated outside another tent, voices bubbling with laughter and conversation. But just as she approached, she heard Harry’s friends teasing from inside the group “Bro, you could’ve toned it down a bit. We could hear everything earlier. When we turned around, damn, the shadow play on that tent was straight-up scandalous. When we’re young, we don’t realize how good older women are and go chasing after naive girls instead!” “Sure, the older woman’s great but the little girl is not so bad either. Why else would Harry keep the older one on hold for five years? The Little One just needed to grow up. She will be the real sister-in-law for us.” The Little One? The real sister-in-law for them? Christine’s legs nearly gave out beneath her. Even an idiot could figure it out, these five years had been nothing but a cruel joke. “As I always said, once the Little One comes back from abroad next week, Harry should break things off with his little fling, right?” “Bro, don’t tell me you’ve actually caught feelings for Christine?” “Feelings? Are you kidding me? At best, she’s just a casual hookup. Come on, who wouldn’t want to fool around with a beautiful woman for free? And from the way she was moaning, maybe she’s the one using him!” “HAHAHAHA!” Their laughter echoed like knives. Then Harry’s voice, low and calm, cut through the noise, “Sometimes, you need to try being a husband with someone… just so you can take proper care of the one who truly matters. That’s how it works, someone plants the tree, someone else enjoys the shade.”