My Husband, the Assassin

Chapter 020

Nora’s room was every inch a girl’s sanctuary—soft pink tones everywhere, with a faint, sweet fragrance lingering in the air that hit William like a gentle wave.

The walls were papered in pale pink, and her bed was a mess of unmade sheets and rumpled blankets. Everything else, though, was impeccably organized.

Typical girl’s bedroom? He smirked to himself.

Then his eyes drifted to the open closet nearby, packed with a colorful array of delicate lingerie.

“William—no peeking!”

Nora caught him instantly. She slapped a hand over his eyes.

Realizing that wasn’t enough, she dashed to the closet and slammed the door shut with a resounding thud.

She let out a relieved breath.

William groaned inwardly. He’d barely gotten a proper look. All those styles… his pulse had kicked up just imagining them.

A small first-aid kit sat on her desk—clearly her go-to.

She flipped it open, grabbed the antiseptic and a cotton swab, then knelt in front of him with a serious expression. “Lower your arm a bit, William.”

He obliged, positioning it where she could reach easily.

Nora narrowed her eyes in concentration, smiling as she dabbed the alcohol-soaked swab over the scratches. “You think a little scratch like this doesn’t need cleaning, don’t you?”

He nodded blankly. “Yeah.”

She pouted. “You’re such an i***t sometimes. Without disinfecting, these could scar.”

“Yeah,” he echoed, still monotone.

“You must’ve pissed Sophia off big time,” she said with a giggle. “ She’s actually really sweet. Play your cards right, and she’ll come around. Push too hard, and she’ll shut you out completely.”

“Yeah.”

Something felt off. Nora glanced up—and met his gaze head-on. He’d been staring, a little too intently, with that mischievous glint.

“Ah!” She yelped softly, crossing her arms over her chest. “No looking! You’re awful.”

William grinned. He couldn’t help it—he felt like the luckiest guy alive.

Coming back from the Middle East had been the best decision of his life. Hands down.

“Where am I awful?” he asked, all innocent charm.

“Everywhere,” she huffed, standing to toss the swab in the trash. “You’re just bad. Okay, all done. I need to wash up and change now. And no more staring like that—or I’ll stop liking you.”

She fixed him with a stern look.

William nodded solemnly. “Okay, I promise you.”

In his head: No more sneaking glances. From now on, I’ll just look openly.

“Oh, and like I was saying—take it slow with Sophia. If you push, she’ll make you regret it.”

He rolled his eyes. “I told you—she almost fell. I caught her. That’s it. I didn’t even get to cop a feel. I’m the one who’s suffering here.”

“Oh… right.” Nora pictured it and nodded. Yeah, he hadn’t gained anything from that.

She believed him.

…

After a short wait, Nora came downstairs and devoured the breakfast William had left out, raving about his cooking. Sophia joined soon after.

She didn’t say a word about the morning chaos. They still had clothes to buy. But William caught the extra layer of frost in her expression—colder than ever.

He sighed inwardly. That charged moment hadn’t been intentional. The bathroom floor was slippery—who told her to swing at him? If anything, he’d been a hero for keeping her from face-planting.

Classic protector vibe. He was practically a saint.

Under Sophia’s driving, the three of them reached the mall in no time.

She and Nora made a beeline for the women’s fashion floors.

Every store was ladies’ clothing.

William started wondering if his wardrobe was even on the agenda. Two hours in, they were still enthusiastically trying on outfits, no sign of slowing.

Worse—they handed him every shopping bag.

Trailing behind them loaded down like a pack mule, he felt more like hired help than a fiancé.

His legs protested first—silent screams of exhaustion.

He’d once run for hours without breaking a sweat. Shopping, though? It crushed him.

At first, he’d enjoyed the view—the sway of their figures ahead, letting his mind wander. Now? He was scanning desperately for any bench.

They ducked into yet another shoe store. William collapsed onto a nearby seat, eyelids drooping.

Ten minutes later, they emerged, each with a new pair.

Thud.

The bags landed right in his lap. Sophia and Nora barely glanced at him, already plotting their next stop.

“Protest!” William finally snapped, eyeing the shoe bags. “Wife, I’m your husband—not your personal porter. Why am I carrying everything? And you two never stop. I’m done walking. Go shop whatever you want—I’m staying right here.”

He gripped the bench like his life depended on it, looking half-scared she’d drag him up anyway.