Chapter 1515

Honestly, having a man around for physical labor was a huge plus.

She didn't argue. "Thanks for your help."

His heart skipped a beat, as if something had gently knocked against it. God knew, being useful to her felt like the ultimate reward.

He could have easily paid someone to do this, but he selfishly wanted to do it himself.

He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular forearms that exuded raw strength.

She stood nearby, watching him carefully wrap the tower and monitor in padding before placing them securely into the computer boxes.

She watched quietly for a moment, feeling a tiny corner of her heart soften.

She went downstairs and brought up a bottle of water. He had just sealed the box and smiled when he saw the bottle, taking it from her.

He twisted the cap off and took a long swig. His Adam's apple bobbed with every swallow, projecting a rugged, untamed masculinity.

She looked away and opened her own bottle to take a sip.

"Thanks for the hard work," she said.

"It's nothing." His eyes stayed fixed on her. "It's an honor to do something for you."

The comment was so direct she didn't know how to respond. Luckily, he didn't wait for one and changed the subject. "Gavin will send someone at four to load everything up."

"Alright." She asked, "What about your stuff?"

"Mine is already packed and ready to go," he said. "I don't have much."

At noon, Joslyn apologized, saying she was so busy packing she hadn't bought groceries. Naturally, lan used that as an excuse to take Eleanor out to eat.

She invited Joslyn along, but Joslyn insisted she'd just make some noodles at home.

Eleanor followed lan to a restaurant across from their neighborhood.

It wasn't crowded. Their window seat bathed them in sunlight, and lan ordered several of her favorite dishes.

She stared down, tracing the rim of her glass, her gaze drifting as if lost in memories.

"What's on your mind?" he asked gently.

She looked up, thinking about him in her father's video, and how he had called her by her nickname.

"Why did you marry me back then?" she asked, still playing with her glass. "You could have had anyone. Why marry someone who might have a genetic illness?"

His hand paused on his glass. He didn't answer right away, just looked deeply into her eyes.

"I thought... we were past this question," he sighed.

She kept looking at him, clearly expecting a different answer.

His gaze darkened with sincerity. "Your illness was never a factor to me. I was willing to accept all of you, down to your genetics. If there were risks down the line, I'd face them and bear them. That was the promise I made to your father and

it's my duty."

A lump formed in her throat, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She looked away.

"I handled the situation with

Vanessa entirely wrong and hurt

you. You can punish me however you want, and it won't be enough." His eyes turned fierce with resolve." "Even if you never forgive me I will protect you and watch over you in my own way until the dayol die."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word struck her heart like a solemn vow.

She whipped her head back to him. There was no hesitation in his eyes, only a raw, stubborn honesty.

"You..." She opened her mouth, her throat incredibly dry.

"We have a long life ahead, which means you have plenty of time to punish me." He let out a low chuckle. "I promise, I'll take every punch, every Scolding, be at your beck and call, and do the heavy lifting without a single complaint. He leaned in slightly, a teasing, indulgent smile in his eyes. "Just don't push me away."