Divorce

SUMMERINE DIDN'T KNOW which was more embarrassing: to be sent to the school clinic for having a bloody nose after accidentally walking into a wall...or to come out of said clinic and realize why the school doctor had this odd look on his face when Summerine had given her name.

Ryu didn't seem to notice the way he had everyone staring as he came forward to cup her chin.

His gaze was somber, his expression concerned. "Are you alright?"

"D-Did the—-"

"School clinic contact me about you?" he finished for her. "You already know the answer to that."

The way he sounded so calm while saying this made Summerine realize her husband was a much, much bigger control freak than her parents could ever be. He was just better at hiding this.

Summerine wasn't conscious of her husband taking hold of her hand as they walked, and it was only when they were halfway to the university's parking lot that she realized where they were going.

"W-Wait—-" She dug her heels, and her husband came to a stop next to her. "I still have classes—-"

"You've been excused from all of them."

"F-For having a bloody nose?"

"Yes."

"But—-"

"Would you rather I tell them the truth?"

"But t-that is the truth," she pointed out uneasily.

"It's part of the truth, and it's why I realize I've made another mistake where you're concerned. You walked into a wall—-"

Summerine couldn't help wincing upon hearing this. "It was an a-accident!"

"—-because you couldn't stop thinking about how you walked in on your husband naked."

Her jaw dropped, and her gorgeous husband smiled at her.

" That 's the complete truth, but perhaps I was also mistaken in assuming you didn't want your professors to know—-"

"You're not mistaken," she said hastily.

"Are you sure?"

His voice was gentle, but...

Was he teasing her?

A slight smile touched her husband's lips. "Yes, Summerine. It's exactly what you're thinking That was an attempt to tease you in hopes of making you relax. But it doesn't seem to be working, does it?"

"I...I..."

"Would like to smile back but you just can't?"

Yes!

"Because you're not used to having this kind of conversation with your parents?"

Yes, twice!

"But do you remember what I told you before?" her husband asked quietly.

Oh.

"You remember then."

He had told her that she would never have to fear him for any reason.

"And I mean it, too. In every way."

He looked at her meaningfully, but...the meaning was lost on her, and when she saw his lips twitch—-

Did she really have an expressive face...or did he just not want anyone to realize he was telepathic?

"No, Summerine." Her husband's tone was very dry. "I am not telepathic."

B-But—-

"But I'll take it as a compliment that you think so, and speaking of compliments..."

The sudden change of subject had her frowning.

"I know that's another thing your parents haven't given you much of."

Oh.

"But I want you to know I'm not like them. I like the way you are very much, and I'd rather you don't change at all—-"

OH.

"Even if it means having you bump into things whenever you walk into me na—-"

"Please stop talking about that!"

It was only when she saw the gleam in Ryu's dark eyes that she realized she had actually interrupted him...without any fear of repercussion.

"That's how I'd like you to speak to me from now on. You don't have to choose your words with me. I neither expect nor need you to be perfect. You already know what I require from you, and you've performed excellently on that front."

B-But...

"What is it?"

Summerine bit her lip. "I..."

"You can tell me anything, Summerine. And I promise I won't get mad. So think it over. And if you're ready to talk to me, I'll always have time for you."

She gave him a nod, he gave her a smile, and that was when Summerine realized she no longer wanted to escape.

For better or for worse, she wanted to give their marriage her best shot.

And so from now on...