I Wish It Were You Free Preview

In the VIP ballroom of the Imperial Hotel in Elfhedge, a grand engagement party was underway.

"Let's welcome the groom-to-be and the bride-to-be to have their opening dance!"

The groom-to-be, Marvin Gregory, burst into laughter after hearing what the emcee said.

"Opening dance? You might have thought too highly of that ugly creature!"

Upon hearing that, everyone turned to Annabelle Sanchez, the bride-to-be, who had just become a laughingstock.

Wearing a veil, she stood quietly on the stage.

People started to gossip. Some said that Annabelle, the third girl of the Sanchez family, was disfigured by a fire when she was a child, and she had been living in Springvale Temple in the mountains ever since. She never even went to college.

Marvin, on the other hand, was the second eldest son of the Gregory family, handsome and influential. It was reasonable for him to disdain her.

That being said, Annabelle was from a prestigious family. Everyone assumed that she was probably on the verge of shedding tears after being humiliated in public.

Meanwhile, they all wondered what the two families would do to fix such a mess.

Colten Gregory, Marvin's father, banged the table angrily. "You brat! How dare you say that?"

'Even though Ms. Sanchez is not among the prettiest,' thought Colten, 'Marvin shouldn't have insulted her in front of all the guests. People may think he's ill-bred. It's a disgrace to our family!'

"I'll be blunt, Dad. I'll rather stay single forever than marry such a bumpkin!"

Usually, Marvin dared not defy Colten, but he was bold enough today thanks to the wine. After saying this, Marvin tore off his tie, slammed it hard on the floor, and left the ballroom.

Only then did Annabelle raise her head. Her eyelashes quivered with excitement as she watched Marvin go away.

'That couldn't be better!', Annabelle thought to herself, 'I was about to talk to Marvin about getting married without interfering with each other's lives. Now that we won't even get married, I don't have to. He just saved me a lot of trouble. '

With such thought, she couldn't help but beam with all her heart. Even her eyes were smiling.

Kendrick Gregory, Marvin's brother, caught that.

He sat in a quiet corner of the banquet hall, not far from the stage, lazily sipping champagne and glancing sideways at the farce, until he unexpectedly caught sight of her smile.

He couldn't help but think to himself, 'She seems quite happy about being dumped.'

The next moment, however, he saw Briley Sanchez, Annabelle's mother, walk onto the stage. Briley pulled Annabelle aside before saying something with a straight face.

Annabelle's bright eyes darkened at once. She then nodded with red eyes.

He thought, 'Briley seems to be blaming Annabelle for screwing up the engagement party. Yet the engagement was messed up because of Marvin. How could she blame Annabelle?'

Annabelle's sad, aggrieved look reminded Kendrick of a stray cat who had been kicked around but dared not cry out with its tail between its legs, just like himself during his two-year homeless life.

"May I?" Kendrick put down his champagne glass, stood up gracefully, and walked to the center of the stage. "May I take Ms. Sanchez to the opening dance?"

He came to Annabelle and gentlemanly invited her to dance, which made all the guests slack-jawed.

Kendrick was always cold and aloof. He was rarely seen with any woman except for work, let alone dancing with one.

It was also unlikely that he was cleaning up the mess left by Marvin since they were only half-brothers who had been on bad terms for years. There was no way Kendrick would do that to help Marvin out.

But it was even more unlikely that Kendrick had a crush on Annabelle.

How could he do such a thing?

He was now the CEO of the Gregory Group and the future heir to the Gregory family. He had impossibly high standards. How could he be interested in such an ugly woman?

Annabelle looked at Kendrick, a bit puzzled as well.

She didn't know who he was at all.

Briley, who was behind her, pushed her and whispered, "Mr. Gregory is giving you a way out. Just say yes!"

Hearing the way Briley addressed Kendrick, Annabelle realized that who he was.

She had heard about Kendrick. At the age of 30, the hunk remained single.

Now that she saw him, she could tell how much he stood out in the crowd. Marvin was handsome in an overbearing way while Kendrick was handsome in a reserved and profound way.

Yet somehow Kendrick looked a bit tired, seemingly bothered by his health condition.

Annabelle knew one thing or two about medicine. After examining his face, Annabelle had her speculation.

At the same time, a bold idea popped up into her mind.

She thought, 'Maybe he can get me out of the trouble!'

Therefore, she performed a curtsy and placed her hand on Kendrick's palm.

The two stepped onto the dance floor elegantly and danced gracefully to a harmonious waltz.

After a bar of dancing, she said, "Mr. Gregory, your head condition has been bothering you for three years, right?"

Kendrick squinted his eyes at Annabelle, surprised by what he had just heard.

"You're a doctor?"

Annabelle smiled and continued, "If I'm right, Mr. Gregory, you were poisoned three years ago, and unfortunately, some of the poison is still in your system, causing you a headache, right?"

Kendrick narrowed his eyes and thought, 'She is so damn right. Is she that good? Maybe she's more than who she looks like."

The business world was like a battlefield. Kendrick was already used to deceit and intrigue over the years. So he was always on guard.

"Ms. Sanchez, what do you want from me?" Kendrick asked flatly.

"I can cure your headache if you let me." Annabelle paused before she went on in a more serious tone, "Yet in return, Mr. Gregory, you have to engage me."

Originally, she was quite delighted that Marvin called off the engagement, yet Briley threatened to marry her off to a business tycoon if her arranged marriage with Marvin didn't come through.

The business tycoon was even older than Gavyn Sanchez, Annabelle's father, and he was a womanizer. If she married him, the rest of her life would be over.

Getting engaged to Kendrick for now could at least buy her some time.

Upon hearing that, Kendrick chuckled. He thought, 'So, this is her real purpose. I thought too highly of her."

"What if you can't cure me? Doesn't it mean that I'd be losing out?" Kendrick sneered.

By this time, their dance had come to the last bar.

Annabelle knew that if she failed to convince Kendrick, she would completely lose control of her fate.

"You'll recover within 6 months. It can even be 3 if everything goes well. We will break off our engagement as soon as you recover."

As far as Annabelle was concerned, it was a fair deal for Kendrick. A 6-month engagement in exchange for a cure to a year-lasting disease was a bargain.

Yet the problem was that she had just been dumped by Kendrick's brother. It was kind of awkward.

Therefore, she didn't know whether Kendrick would agree or not. She looked nervously and uneasily at him.

Kendrick curled up his lips slightly and said, "What if six months later, you fall in love with me and change your mind?"

The corner of Annabelle's mouth twitched.

"Relax. I don't have any feelings for you. I'm eager to get engaged to you because my parents are forcing me to marry a man who is old enough to be my grandfather. If you are worried that I will break my word, I can make a written guarantee."

Kendrick raised his eyebrows as he thought to himself with self-mockery, 'She has made herself quite clear, no? She even offers to write a guarantee, just to avoid getting you wrong. Don't flatter yourself, Kendrick! She chooses you because she doesn't wanna marry an old man. You're just her fallback option!'

Kendrick squinted. "Unfortunately, I do not intend to be engaged to you, Ms. Sanchez."

Hearing that, Annabelle pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes sadly.

She was not surprised, yet she couldn't help but feel frustrated.

She thought to herself, 'Gotta try another way out.'

And that was when Annabelle heard Kendrick whisper, "I mean, let's get married straight away."

Annabelle was stunned, her brows knitting in confusion.

She thought to herself, "It's easy to break off an engagement, yet things are much more complicated when it comes to a divorce. Why bother?'

She pondered for a second and said, "OK. But I have a demand."

Kendrick smiled helplessly and thought, 'That's rich'

But still, he said, "Name it. I can't guarantee you a yes, though."

He had a playful expression on his face, making him look like a cunning fox. No one could tell what was on his mind.

Annabelle frowned and said righteously, "Sex is definitely off the table after we get married."

She looked like a soldier trying to defend her territory. Seeing that, Kendrick couldn't help but grin.

"Seriously, Ms. Sanchez? You think having sex with me is a loss for you?"

Annabelle felt that her cheeks were burning. She thought, 'What a narcissist! Who knows what it's gonna be like? Well, it's true that he is handsome, tall, upright, and dignified in every manner. Yet I'm no nympho, and I don't want to get involved with rich men at all."

Therefore, she said, "I surely do. You're eight years older than me after all."

Kendrick squinted and thought, 'Really? She thinks I'm too old for her when I don't think less of her given her disfigured face? I'm now curious about what she looks like. Her eyes are gorgeous and her facial contours under the veil look fine, too. Besides, she has a good shape and she acts elegantly. She's not like the bumpkin people say she is. Is she hiding her true self? I'm even more curious.'

"I don't like your request, but I will say yes."

Only then did Annabelle feel relieved. She thought, 'Though it's just a verbal promise, I don't think a proud man like Kendrick will go back on his word. I can't come up with a perfect plan now, so I'll have to take it one step at a time.'

Then the two of them walked over to their parents hand in hand.

Lydia Gregory, Kendrick's stepmother, frowned with an embarrassed look on her face as she saw Annabelle and Kendrick holding hands.

Lydia said, "Kendrick, Annabelle is your future sister-in-law. What are you doing?"

Kendrick smiled calmly and said, "Lydia, Marvin just said he was not going to get engaged to Annabelle. How could she be my future sister-in-law?"

Lydia pouted her mouth and said, "I know, but it's Marvin's engagement party after all. Even if he has ditched Ms. Sanchez, you shouldn't have held her hands. Don't you see anything wrong with it?"

Kendrick smiled, "Well, in that case, let's make it the engagement party for Annabelle and me. That way, nothing will be wrong, right?"

Upon hearing that, everyone was shocked.

"Are you serious?" Colten asked, frowning.

Even when Colten had to face the mess left by Marvin, he didn't want Kendrick to sacrifice himself.

He adored Kendrick a lot and had already found Kendrick a wife from a rich family, who was at least more worthy of him than Annabelle.

"Yes, I am," Kendrick said firmly.

Colten's heart sank. Then he looked at Annabelle. "Annabelle, do you want to marry Kendrick?"

Before Annabelle could utter a word, Briley poked her back hard and urged her hurriedly, "Say yes! Now!"

Meanwhile, Gavyn was looking at her expectantly, too.

Annabelle knew very well that for her, even marrying Marvin was marrying up, not to mention Kendrick. Briley and Gavyn would never let such a fat chance away.

And it was also clear to her that her parents didn't give a damn about her happiness. They just wanted to ride the coattails of the Gregory family.

Having cleared her mind, she then said firmly, "Yes."

Briley and Gavyn breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that.

Colten sighed silently. 'I guess it's time to let the kids mind their own business,' he thought to himself.

"Now that both of you wanna marry each other, let's pick a date for your wedding."

Kendrick nodded. "There's no rush for the wedding ceremony, but we'll go to the city hall for the marriage certificates tomorrow."

The corners of Annabelle's mouth twitched as she glared at Kendrick, who was standing beside her.

She thought, 'I can't believe he just made the decision all by himself! Even if I said yes, it doesn't mean we have to get married tomorrow. He's so hot-headed!'

She glared at Kendrick, who noticed her sharp gaze.

He thought to himself, 'What a fierce kitten she is! How interesting!'

Colten shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Well, we are getting old, and we don't know what young people are thinking about. Fine. Do whatever you want."

The emcee then officially announced the engagement of Kendrick and Annabelle.

The guests were stunned, clearly shocked by the dramatic turn of events. Yet after all, they were people who had seen all kinds of scenes, so they soon put away their judging and doubting faces and congratulated the couple and their families instead.

The party went on until 10:00 p.m., yet the guests still showed no intention of leaving.

Annabelle was exhausted.

She came to the city from Springvale Temple early in the morning to attend the party. It had been a long day for her.

Kendrick glanced at her as he sipped some wine. "Tired?"

Annabelle was surprised that he could tell her tiredness. She nodded and looked at him for help. "Can you help me leave as early as possible?"

He was not surprised to learn that she wanted to leave before the party ended.

He smiled and put down his glass. "Sure. No one will stop you as long as you leave with me."

Annabelle glanced at him with great gratitude. "Thank you so much."

"We're about to get married. So, you're welcome."

He said in a deep voice and a flirtatious tone. Feeling that her face was burning, Annabelle glared at Kendrick.

Kendrick, however, didn't seem to care. With a chuckle, he took Annabelle's hand and led her to their parents.

Annabelle was worried that Gavyn and Briley wouldn't agree with her leaving in advance, yet thanks to Kendrick, both of their parents were generous enough to nod.

They left the banquet and got into the car.

Since Kendrick had drunk, he couldn't drive, so he took the back seat together with Annabelle.

When the driver started the car, Kendrick suddenly raised the panel separating the front and the back.

Annabelle was wary at once. She thought, 'Is he going to unveil himself and make a move on me?'

"What are you doing?" Annabelle asked as she moved warily to the side, leaning against the car door.

Kendrick stared at her veiled face and said in a deep voice, "Show me your face."

After making sure that Kendrick wasn't going to take advantage of her, Annabelle was relieved. Then she looked away and said coldly, "It's not even worth a look."

Over the years, she had become accustomed to wearing the veil, because her face had never done her any good.

Kendrick suddenly approached her and said teasingly, "We have to take a photo when we get our marriage certificates tomorrow. Do you think you can hide your face from me for the rest of your life?"

She thought, 'The rest of my life? Oh, come on, I don't have to! Our marriage won't last over 6 months! What a forgetful man!'

Yet right now, she had no time to correct him.

He was so close to her!

Annabelle could distinctly smell the faint aroma of cedar, mixed with a faint smell of alcohol, coming from Kendrick. Combined with the dim light in the car, she felt that the atmosphere was way too erotic.

She felt her face getting hotter and hotter. When she tried to push him away, he grabbed her wrist.

Kendrick clutched her slender wrist as he raised the corners of his lips, looking discontented.

"Ms. Sanchez, we're getting married, and yet you won't even let me see your face? That's not very sincere. Don't you think so?

Annabelle thought, 'It seems that I just can't get away from it. Fine, then. I'll show him what he wants. Sooner or later, he's gonna see it anyway'.

She sighed silently and said, "Step back a little, please."

Kendrick grinned as he let go of her wrist.

"What? You don't wanna scare me?"

While he was teasing, she had already taken off her veil.

Kendrick was stunned.

He had a feeling that she wouldn't be ugly, yet he didn't expect her to be that pretty.

With fine features and fair skin, her face was impeccable. Let alone burn scars, she didn't even have a single mole.

Kendrick was overwhelmed by her beauty.

She was slightly blushing, perhaps because he was staring at her. Shy and embarrassed, Annabelle was on the verge of getting mad. These mixed emotions made her face even more vivid.

"Haven't you had enough?"

Annabelle glared at Kendrick and was about to put the veil back on, yet he stopped her.

"Why would you hide such a pretty face up?"

Annabelle frowned, took her hand out of his, and put the veil back on.

"I don't wanna cause trouble."

Being pretty had never brought her convenience. Instead, it had repeatedly put her in danger.

After her appearance was restored back then, she was molested several times by visitors to the temple, which left a deep psychological shadow on her.

From then on, she never unveiled herself, just to leave others the impression that she was ugly. She never took off her veil even in front of her family.

Kendrick's eyes darkened as he caught the sorrow in her tone.

He thought, 'She must have suffered something terrible when living alone in the mountains.'

At the thought of that, he felt bad for her.

"From now on, I'll be there for you. You won't get into trouble again."

Annabelle wanted to remind him that they didn't have a future together. After she cured his illness, they would be divorced. Their marriage wouldn't survive six months.

Yet she admitted that she felt warm upon hearing his promise.

Yet just when she felt grateful that he was being considerate, she heard him say, "So, drop the veil when you're with me."

She paused for a second before she said, "I'm not used to it."

Kendrick smiled. "You will be."

'Well, I might be a bit domineering,' Kendrick thought to himself, 'yet it's such a shame that I can't see my wife's face, especially when it's so pretty.'

Annabelle wanted to turn him down again, when he said, "Great, then. We have a deal now. Agree with me, or I won't marry you."

Annabelle didn't see this coming.

'What a rogue!' she thought, 'Just when I thought he was a gentleman!'

She was complaining deep down in her heart, yet she couldn't flare up right now, as she needed Kendrick's help. She had no choice but to give a little given the current circumstance.

At the same time at Stellar Bar, Marvin was drinking and chatting with a group of his friends.

"Marvin, your fiancée is going to marry your brother!" One of Marvin's friends exclaimed while holding his phone.

Marvin puffed a smoke ring and snorted, "Bullshit!"

He thought to himself, 'A guy as aloof and proud as Kendrick will never be someone's backup plan."

"I'm serious. See for yourself if you don't believe me." That friend of Marvin, who also came from a rich family, had already handed Marvin his phone.

Marvin glanced at the phone screen and saw a report from some entertainment media.

"Grab some popcorn! The engagement scene of a wealthy family turned into a dramatic plot twist, straight out of a TV show! Marvin, the second son of the Gregory family, publicly rejected Annabelle, the third daughter of the Sanchez family, and she turned to Kendrick, the eldest son of the Gregory family at once. They danced and took a fancy to each other. Reliable sources claimed that they were planning to get married on an auspicious date!"

There was a video attached, in which Annabelle and Kendrick were dancing.

Marvin curled up his lips in disdain and thought, 'Didn't expect that bumpkin to be so versatile. She can even dance. Yet Kendrick? He just took over the woman I ditched? What for? To win Dad's favor? So lame. I would never fawn on Dad by sacrificing my marriage, not even in trade for the inheritance!'

Yet at that time, Marvin had no idea that in the near future, he would soon regret his decision.

Right now, he was in a great mood. He tossed away the phone, banged the table, and said loudly without hesitation, "It's all on me tonight! Everyone, have some fun!"

For a moment, the bar was filled with joy.

That night, Annabelle went home tired and went to bed at once. Her parents probably came back much later, so they didn't have the chance to talk.

The next morning, as soon as she was dressed, Gavyn and Briley brought her ID card to her room.

Gavyn instructed, "After you marry Mr. Gregory, be nice to him. Smile more."

Briley looked at her sideways. "Keep your veil on during the daytime, in case you'll frighten him. It'll be too embarrassing for us if you get dumped again."

Gavyn cleared his throat and said, "Your mom has a point..."

Annabelle was so sick and tired of their lecture. She said coldly, "I'm about to go out if you'll excuse me."

She had no appetite for breakfast, so she left directly.

That fire back then destroyed the Sanchez's old residence and ruined Annabelle's face.

Later, a mysterious man came to the door and told Annabelle's parents that she was a jinx and that they ought to send her away as soon as possible. They'd better cut her off for good.

To Annabelle's surprise, her parents bought the man's word. They left her in the temple alone and never visited her for more than a decade.

Now that the global financial crisis had hit the Sanchez Group hard, they wanted to cling to the Gregory family through marriage. However, their eldest daughter was married already. Although their second daughter was unmarried, they did not want her to be the victim of an arranged marriage. That was when they remembered their third daughter, who was living alone in the mountains.

Annabelle's heart was still filled with bitterness every time she thought about how cruel and cold her parents had been as well as how lonely and helpless she had felt during those days.

Now, she just wanted to repay her parents once and for all through the marriage.

'I don't owe them anything from now on,' she thought to herself.

At 8:30 a.m. the following morning, Annabelle arrived at the city hall on time.

Kendrick was already waiting for her at the door. He wore a dark blue blazer, which made him stand out even more, drawing the attention of the passers-by.

Annabelle stared at him, momentarily stunned. It still felt unreal to her that he would soon become her legal husband just one day after they had met.

What was more, she still did not know whether he was a gentleman or a beast.

What he had said the night before came to mind. He wouldn't marry her unless she took off her veil when she was with him.

Annabelle took a breath and took off her veil, though unwillingly, before walking over to Kendrick.

"Morning, Mr. Gregory."

The second Kendrick saw her, he was amazed.

Annabelle wore a white floral vintage dress, her hair loosely tied up at the back and secured with a mustard yellow silk scarf, giving her a graceful and demure appearance.

Her fair and tender face was even more beautiful in the sun. He could barely look away.

'She wasn't wearing the veil!' He thought, 'I guess she takes my words from yesterday seriously. That's my girl!'

Kendrick could not help but reach out to rub her head, and yet she immediately frowned at him and backed away.

"What are you doing?"

Kendrick felt a little embarrassed since he didn't expect that. Thus, he had to pretend to be calm and said, "You don't have to be that defensive! It's just you had something on your hair. I got it off for you."

Kendrick acted seriously and stroked Annabelle's hair. "All done now. Let's go."

She pressed her hair which he had tousled while thinking, 'I know that he was about to rub my head. What a cunning fox! He's such an actor!'

Holding that thought in mind, she walked into the lobby together with Kendrick.

The marriage registration went smoothly. When it came to the wedding photo session, they came to the studio together and were seated in a chair.

Kendrick naturally put his hand on Annabelle's shoulder.

Annabelle frowned and glanced at his hand, and then she glared at him.

Yet Kendrick didn't see any problem. "It's what couples do when taking photos."

"Mr. Gregory, it sounds like you're quite experienced."

Annabelle said so with a smile, and then she shoved his hand away without hesitation.

Seeing the slightly angry look on her face, Kendrick found her just like a gentle kitten who suddenly flashed its claws and scratched his heart.

He felt ... a bit itchy. To be more accurate, he felt a bit tempted.

He leaned closer to her. "Relax. You're my first."

The corners of Annabelle's mouth twitched. She thought, 'There's no need to make it sound so flirtatious. He could have said the first marriage.'

She had an increasingly stronger sense that he was so cunning.

She thought, 'Please. I don't want any more surprises in the upcoming six months. Just let me cure his disease and get the divorce.'

Half an hour later, they walked out of the city hall, each holding a marriage certificate.

Now that they were married, they needed to discuss their living arrangements.

Therefore, Annabelle took the initiative to ask.

"Mr. Gregory, do you live with your parents, or do you live alone?"

"I go back to the old residence occasionally. I own a small villa near my office and live there."

Annabelle nodded and said nothing. She was glad that he lived alone, as in such a way, they didn't have to pretend to be in love in front of others.

"I'll take you there now. We'll have your luggage delivered this afternoon," Kendrick said naturally and walked her toward the parking lot.

In fact, Annabelle had no luggage at all. All she had was just a small travel bag. She had thought she would return to Springvale Temple after the engagement, and it never occurred to her that she would get married in such a rush.

She thought, 'The luggage isn't the point. Once we live together, it'll be only me and him. Besides, he is so glib and sometimes a rogue. Why do I have this feeling that I'm walking straight into a trap?'

"Mr. Gregory."

Kendrick paused and looked back at her, a bit puzzled.

"My friend has a small apartment that is vacant. If you find it inconvenient, I can move there. I won't disturb your private life."

In fact, she asked Fabian Mcmahon, a good friend of hers, to buy the apartment two years ago, and her family did not know about it.

The apartment was a temporary shelter for her when she was in town to treat patients and didn't want to go home.

Kendrick raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean by not disturbing my private life?"

"We are married, but if you want to keep a..."

Annabelle paused and felt too awkward to say the word "mistress". She rephrased and said, "If you want to date other women, I think it's better that I live alone."

Her generosity somehow bothered Kendrick.

He thought, 'Does that mean she doesn't want me to disturb her private life? Since she has no problem with me seeing other women, does that mean she wants to date other men, too? Well, I'm not OK with that. I'd better clear things up in advance. '

Kendrick said seriously, "I have no intention of us living separately, and I have no intention of getting a girlfriend. Since we're officially married, we'd better live together."

Annabelle thought about it and realized that Kendrick wasn't asking too much.

She thought, 'Now that we're married, even though we're just a couple in name, still, we have to put on an act in front of others. Besides, after spending time with him this morning, I feel that he is kind of reasonable. Maybe he just likes to make jokes sometimes.'

While thinking that way, she felt much more at ease.

"Fine. I'll live at your place."

Kendrick couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Deep down, he couldn't help but complain, 'Just fine? She sounds so reluctant. Come on! I am the eldest son of the Gregory family as well as the CEO of the Gregory Group. I stand out when it comes to both appearance and family background. Yet why do I feel like I'm not attractive at all to her? Is it because I'm getting old?'

The same morning, Kendrick took Annabelle to his villa in the western suburb, showed her around briefly, arranged a bedroom for her, and then went to his office.

After he left, Annabelle called home and told the housekeeper that Kendrick's assistant would pick up her luggage and ask the housekeeper to get her travel bag ready for her.

In the afternoon, Kendrick's assistant brought Annabelle's bag over and told her that Kendrick would have dinner with his business partner in the evening and would not come back for dinner.

Hearing that, Annabelle thought for a few seconds and then said to Kendrick's assistant, "Tell him to stay away from alcohol, please."

She could tell from Kendrick's wine collection that he loved alcohol.

She presumed that he used wine to quench his headache, yet that wouldn't do any good to his condition.

Hearing Annabelle's words, Kendrick's assistant felt that not only was she pretty and kind, but she was also so considerate. He nodded and promised to deliver her words, and then he left happily.

Half an hour passed.

Kendrick curled up his lips when he heard his assistant's words.

He thought, 'She bans me from drinking? So bossy, but I like that. No one else tells me what not to do. I feel warm that she's concerned about me. By the way, she said that she would start treating me tonight. I'm curious. What will she do?'

Kendrick couldn't help but look forward to it.

Annabelle went to the drugstore for some medical ingredients, and after returning home, she made medicine for Kendrick herself.

She grabbed a few bites for dinner and then continued to get his medicine ready.

She kept busy till almost 10:00 p.m. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, and just as she turned around, she saw Kendrick standing next to the kitchen door.

"When did you get home?"

"Only a couple of minutes ago."

She thought, 'A couple of minutes? So, he's been staring at me for minutes? The hairs on my back prickle. I suddenly feel that I'm a bunny who has found myself being watched by a dangerous wolf.'

"Is this for me?" Kendrick walked into the kitchen and glanced at the medicine beside her.

"Yes. Let me know when you get out of the shower, and I'll apply it to you."

Kendrick walked closer to her and chuckled. Then he said in a deep voice, "OK. I'll go get a shower now. Wait for me."

Those were ordinary words, yet he managed to make them sound flirtatious again.

Annabelle thought, 'You can know a person's face, but not their heart. Now that I'm living with him in the villa alone, no one will come to my rescue no matter how loud I shout if he does something to me, not to mention that we are legally married now.'

That made Annabelle feel a bit uneasy. She even thought about getting herself some pepper spray.

Indeed, Kendrick didn't let her down.

Twenty minutes later, Kendrick finished his shower and came downstairs.

Annabelle heard footsteps and looked back. Then she saw him wrapped in a bath towel, half-naked. She could see his eight-pack abs as well as his attractive V-line stretched all the way down to his groin.

Kendrick walked slowly closer to her and then dropped the towel he used to wipe his hair on the back of a chair nearby.

"I'm done. Shall we begin?"