Chapter 191 - [Bonus ] The Story Didn't Start With Me

"I'm not treating you like a child. I am showing that I care."

"By being so chummy?"

"Yes." He nodded, withdrawing his hand away from her head. "By being so chummy."

"My husband, I think I'm falling for you." Her confession only made him laugh as it came out of her nose. "Hey, how dare you laugh at my heartwarming confession?"

"Because I was moved?" 

"Tch." Devon tossed his hand that was holding hers, staring at him in dismay. She did put some effort into making it sound believable, but he would just laugh at it. 

"So annoying," she mumbled and rolled her eyes at him.

"I'm kidding. Give me your hand," he cajoled, but Devon held both her hands far away. 

"No way. You're not even massaging my hand! You're just rubbing it and causing friction!" 

Lewis adjusted to his seat to face her squarely. "Let me massage it then."

"No. Try to get it."

"Why would I do that?" he cocked his head, batting his eyes lazily. "If you don't want, then that's that."

Devon raised her brows, thinking he made sense. He just held her hand because she wasn't feeling well. She nodded in understanding, carefully putting her hand back on her lap. However, just before she could fully put her guard down, Devon jolted away when he tried to catch her hand.

"Haha! My husband, I'm the greatest pretender you will ever meet, so, better luck next time!" she scoffed, laughing evilly while Lewis frowned. 

"Can I hold your hand?" he asked, but she slid away. "Come on, you. I want to hold on to..."

Lewis trailed off as he lurched forward, but she had fast reflexes, stretching her hand over her head. He tried the second time, third, fourth until Devon already rolled over just to avoid him. 

"Hey, are you... crazy?" She paused when he made a huge move compared to earlier. Lewis suddenly crawled over her, pinning her hand on the bed, and gazed down. 

As soon as he locked eyes with her, his back stiffened, realizing this was an awkward position. But he stayed. His fingers slipped in between the gaps of her fingers, smiling subtly.

"I just want someone to hold tonight," he explained under his breath, wrapping his fingers around her hand. "Don't let me go, Lin Devon, or we will both die."

Devon stared at the pair of eyes hovering over her. From this position, she could see him clearly. The actual face of the cold Lewis. The vulnerability, desperation, and millions of unspoken words flickered across his eyes.

"Your hands feel warm now." He pointed out as he slowly bent over. "Very warm now."

His head landed on her side, heaving deep breaths with his forehead buried on the bed. "I feel like I will fall apart if you don't hold on to me."

"Sure," she whispered, sliding her hand from his loosened grip and wrapping her arm around his neck. Lewis laid to her side, staring back at her.

"Thank you."

But Devon didn't reply. She just stared into his eyes, keeping her silence. Since he couldn't read what was on her mind, he held her gaze in silence. 

"Love me," she said, breaking the silence between them. "Pour that love, affection, yearnings, and everything to me, Qin Lewis. I am the wife now."

His eyes dilated for a bit before his brows relaxed. A subtle smile appeared on his lips as he realized this woman was more selfless than anyone. She may be brash and may act very selfish, but all that was just a front. She has a heart of gold and a soul much brighter than anyone. 

To save him, she was willing to carry that burden called love. Lewis was aware she may like him as a friend, but not as a man. But... now, she was making a sacrifice again to save others.

"That is a tempting offer considering you share the same face, but..." Lewis trailed off when Devon suddenly leaned forward and placed a peck on his lips. It was quick, but his mind went blank for a second. 

Slowly, she drew her head away. "I am not telling you to think of me as a replacement. I am simply saying we should try. Us. We're already in this ridiculous setup and we're still both falling apart. Maybe, if we see ourselves as a love interest... I hope love will save us." — 'you.'

Devon smiled weakly, but it was an encouraging one. She stared at him and witness how his brows lowered, looking back at her with mixed emotions in his eyes. 

"Should we do that?" he asked under his breath. "Us...?"

"It won't hurt to try, right?" she nodded while moving her face closer, brushing the apex of her nose against his. "Come on. Cheer up before my sweetness expires."

Lewis chuckled as he closed his eyes, letting her brush the tip of her nose against his. "You can't carry the weight of my feelings."

"Are you challenging me?" Devon slowly drew her head back, pointing a finger at him. "Hey, husband, just don't maltreat me and we're good."

"Why would I hurt you?" he frowned while moving closer to her until the tip of his nose touched her neck. "Now that I think about it, we used to cuddle, too. Maybe that's why you felt familiar."

Devon glanced at him and forced a smile. She said nothing, running her fingers through his hair. 

******

Meanwhile, in the secret garden bar and lounge, Kween and Marl stared at the beautiful ghost sitting on the stool. Before, it was Devon, and now it was her. The reason she was there was that Kween fetched her. 

"I remember you," the Princess finally spoke, setting her beautiful eyes on Kween. "Yes, I remember you."

"Girl, this feels weird." Kween shivered, glancing at Marl, who stood behind the counter. "She is so silent, unlike a certain ghost."

The Princess chuckled. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No, of course. You're like a breath of fresh air," Marl replied, offering her a glass. She only stared down at it, not even attempting to hold it, as she already knew she couldn't.

"Man… what a tragic life you three have." Kween sighed, shaking her head as she had been witnessing everything. 

"It's not tragic," the Princess answered, casting Kween a smile. 

"Aren't you sad?" Kween furrowed her brows, studying the princess's side profile. 

The Princess took a deep breath, staring at the drink before her. "I am, but I realized this story isn't about me."

"Huh…?"

"It didn't start with me, but with Lin Devon. So, it should close with her.." A smile appeared on her lips as her eyes softened.