"Nothing like that!" Zuko's eyes flickered with a complex glint. "I'm just asking on your behalf. If you really marry
Lena in the future, your dad will surely ask about it even if I don't!"
Chris paused and put down his cutlery with a frown.
Lena's expression also changed slightly. She forced herself to remain composed, ate some soup, and then placed
the bowl and spoon in the sink.
Zuko left after that, leaving only her and Chris in the room.
She cleared the table and was about to wash the dishes when Chris' hands suddenly blocked her way.
"The water's cold. I'll wash them."
Lena paused and saw Chris had already turned on the tap, swiftly washing the pots and dishes.
She listened to the soothing flow of water, silently observing him. His sleeves were rolled up, showcasing his strong
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtforearms. The sink was a bit low, making him bend slightly, yet his broad back remained as reassuring as ever like
the protective fortress guarding her heart.
What about her? Was her background deserving of someone as outstanding as him?
Zuko had spoken somewhat casually, but she took his words to heart. If they were to have a future together, she'd
need to meet Chris' parents.
Would Marco and his wife be as relaxed and unconcerned with social status as Cordelia and Zephyr?
Additionally, she had already decided to keep her birth secret buried deep within. If they asked about it, how could
she explain?
Her thoughts were as tangled as a jumble of threads.
Before Chris came into her life, these thoughts had never crossed her mind, and she hadn't cared about them. But
now, after meeting him, she truly desired a future with him.
"Lenny, what's wrong?"
"Huh?" Lena snapped back to reality.
"You don't look good. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Lena shook her head.
"Uh... Let me do the washing." She tried to mask her anxiety. "The weather isn't cold, so washing a few dishes won't
be a problem!"
"No way." Chris chuckled. "I'll handle these things! I'm tough, so it's nothing to worry about!"
Lena also smiled at him.
"I know." Chris said gently, "You were affected by what Zuko said just now, weren't you?"
He wiped his hands dry and pulled her into his embrace. "Don't mind him! Our marriage is a matter between the
two of us. As long as you're willing to marry me, that's all that matters."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLena's heart raced. She hesitated, then embraced his waist. She wanted to hold him tightly, just like grasping onto a
rare beam of light in her life.
Someone with a heart as tough as hers would not fall in love easily. However, once she was certain about someone,
she would be devoted to them for a lifetime.
Perhaps Chris did not know Lena loved him even more than he imagined.
"Aren't you curious, Chris?" she asked softly.
Chris was taken aback. "About what?"
"You've never asked where I'm from, if I have any family, or what kind of environment I grew up in. Now that I think
about it, you really don't know much about me. Aren't you worried... that I might be a fraud?"
Chris smiled, cradling her face and gazing deeply into her eyes.
With those clear and pure eyes, he would willingly be deceived anyway.
He took a deep breath and replied solemnly, "I'm not worried, nor am I curious," he said in a low voice. "What I
want is you as a person, not your background or upbringing. If you want to tell me about these things, I'll listen with
all my attention. But if you don't want to talk about it, I won't ask."
He smiled indulgently. "Lenny, I'm not interested in your past. I only care about your present and future."