Chapter 3

Susanna's POV

I walked to the roadside just as an empty taxi drove past.

I flagged it down and gave my address.

As the car drove smoothly away, I buried my face in the damp bouquet of lilies and took a deep breath.

The fragrance cleared away the lingering stuffiness in my chest.

I touched the petals and muttered quietly.

"Those two lunatics... if my husband knew what happened today..."

The thought came naturally.

I paused slightly, then the corners of my mouth curved up involuntarily, a faint smile appearing in my eyes.

Yes, I was already married.

To Holden Hayes, someone my parents introduced me to.

Surprisingly, we hit it off right from our first meeting.

I had a mild, calm personality. Holden leaned toward the gentle type. He came from a police background but had an unexpectedly tender, thoughtful nature. With him, I felt relaxed.

And just like that, we rushed into marriage.

Holden had asked me to pick up the flowers today. He said it was to celebrate that my leg was almost fully healed.

He was originally supposed to have the day off and drive me home.

But just as he was about to leave, the police station called with an emergency. A case he was handling had a development, and he had to rush back immediately.

So I picked up the flowers myself, not expecting to run into this downpour the moment I stepped outside.

I had to scramble for shelter under the convenience store awning, where I happened to run into Carson and Noelle.

The taxi entered the familiar neighborhood.

I paid and got out, carrying the flowers toward the entrance.

When I got home, I placed the flowers on the cabinet in the entryway, changed into slippers, and slowly walked into the bedroom.

I was a bit tired. Though I'd mentally prepared myself to have no connection with Carson, today's encounter still drained considerable energy.

Plus I'd walked a short distance on the way back, and drowsiness washed over me again.

I changed into pajamas and lay down, pulling the curtains closed. The room instantly dimmed, and I drifted off to sleep in a daze.

Perhaps because I'd seen Carson today, those deliberately buried memories slipped uncontrollably into my dreams.

I dreamed of Carson.

Not the cold, distant Carson of now, but from earlier times-the Carson whose heart and eyes were full of me.

From my earliest memories, Carson had followed behind me.

His personality actually wasn't warm and outgoing-he was even somewhat aloof, always maintaining a mature demeanor in front of others.

Only around me would he unconsciously relax, even tugging at my sleeve and acting cute in that voice only I could hear.

His family background was far better than mine. We could stick together so much thanks to our families being close.

But when applying to universities, he didn't even look at other schools. Wherever I applied, he followed.

This behavior gave me the wrong idea. I'd always thought I was loved by Carson.

Until shortly after starting freshman year, I brought Carson to meet my roommates.

Noelle wore a newly bought dress, running down the stairs with a bright smile, waving hello in our direction.

I was about to make introductions when I felt the hand that had been holding mine suddenly let go.

I turned my head and saw Carson's gaze fixed on Noelle, a dazed smile appearing on his face.

At this point in the dream, I frowned uneasily against the pillow.

I instinctively tried to turn over, to escape these increasingly vivid images.

My body had barely moved when I felt a gentle tightness around my waist, then fell into a warm, solid embrace.

Someone adjusted their arm very gently to let me rest more comfortably.

A palm patted my back soothingly with careful, measured pressure, as if afraid of disturbing me.

I woke from the restless sleep and opened my eyes, vision still a bit blurry.

A warm breath brushed across the top of my head.

I blinked, fully awake now, and tilted my head up slightly.

Holden was looking down at me. Seeing me awake, the arm around me didn't let go, just relaxed the pressure slightly.

His voice was low and husky, but his tone gentle.

"Leg hurting again? Having nightmares?"

I smiled and moved closer on my own, lightly kissing Holden's Adam's apple.

After stumbling so badly with Carson, I'd gradually figured out a pattern.

Sometimes with relationships, you had to be a bit proactive.

Holden let out a muffled grunt at my kiss, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He used his solid thigh to shift me up a bit, holding me tighter.

"Nightmare?"

He stroked my head, his dark brown eyes looking at me tenderly.

Holden stood nearly six-three, broad-shouldered with long legs. Years of training gave him an excellent physique.

But he had an overly gentle face, with warm eyes that drooped slightly at the corners, like some large canine.

Steady and reliable with an indescribable honest straightforwardness underneath.

His gaze made my ears burn. I reached up to cover his eyes.

Holden's lashes fluttered against my palm, tickling it with fine, dense sensations.

"Mm," I admitted honestly. "I dreamed about Carson."

Holden paused, the arm around me unconsciously tightening.

"Still thinking about him?"

I shook my head, cheek pressed against his warm chest, listening to the steady heartbeat inside.

"Just occasional dreams."

I was telling the truth.