"My Wife, My Lover"
1731 Words
Chris took Elena to the guest bedroom and study.
“You are my wife, the mistress of this house, free to enter any room.”
Chris lowered his head, his deep blue eyes meeting Elena's, his voice steady, “Mrs. Patrick, don’t isolate me from your personal space.”
His gaze was gentle yet carried a powerful intensity, directly touching Elena's heart.
Elena responded instinctively, “Okay.”
After familiarizing herself with the Greenwood Heights villa, the sky had darkened, and it started to drizzle.
Seeing the kitchen well-stocked, Elena offered to cook something, but Chris refused.
“You rest first. I'll cook.”
“You?” Elena stood there, stunned, watching Chris calmly roll up his sleeves.
“Don’t believe me?”
Elena shook her head, “I just can’t picture you cooking.”
“Mrs. Patrick, I’m just an ordinary person.”
As he spoke, Chris began handling the ingredients skillfully.
Elena thought for a moment and stepped forward to help.
Chris didn’t let Elena handle the washing and chopping of vegetables, “Ladies shouldn’t touch such dangerous things.”
“Then I’ll hand things to you? Tell me what you need.”
“Alright.”
Chris agreed but didn’t actually let Elena do anything.
Elena took the initiative, “Do you need a bowl?”
“Sure.”
“Large or small?”
“The third shelf on the left will do.”
Elena handed him the bowl. This back-and-forth brought them closer, reducing the initial awkwardness.
Finding herself with nothing to do, Elena leaned on the counter, watching Chris cook.
He wore a thin black tailored shirt, highlighting his elegant waist and shoulder lines. His tall, composed figure made even cooking a pleasant sight.
Elena curiously asked, “When did you learn to cook?”
“When I studied abroad.”
Elena smiled knowingly, “No wonder. I also learned to cook during my time abroad.”
“Will there be a housekeeper for the villa?”
“No, I don’t like outsiders at home, but there will be an auntie to handle things periodically.”
“Same here.”
Elena, resting her chin on her hand, responded with a cheerful smile.
Chris didn’t speak much, but he responded to every comment, his calm tone making people feel comfortable.
Elena enjoyed the atmosphere, smiling with her eyes, when Chris suddenly turned to her.
Her smile met his deep gaze, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
The coldness in Chris’s expression faded, his gaze warm, “Just remembered something… Did you press the cook button on the rice cooker?”
Elena froze, her face heating up, “I’ll go check!”
Seeing the rice cooker on warm mode, Elena covered her face in embarrassment.
Dinner ended up delayed by half an hour.
After dinner, Chris brought up another matter, “When should we visit your parents?”
Elena suddenly realized she hadn’t told her parents about the marriage.
“Tomorrow. I’ll call them later.”
Elena needed some time to reassure the Jones family.
She suddenly remembered something, asking Chris, “Where did you put the marriage certificate?”
Chris paused on the sofa, then casually asked, “What do you need the marriage certificate for?”
“I want to announce our marriage. But if you prefer to keep it private…”
“In the study’s safe. I’ll get it.”
Chris replied quickly, not giving Elena time to finish her sentence.
Elena watched his back for a moment, then followed him upstairs, taking her own marriage certificate.
She placed both certificates together and took a photo, editing it for IG.
After some thought, she felt something was missing.
Seeing Chris’s long, wide hand, Elena suggested, “I want to take a picture of our wedding rings.”
Chris extended his hand, “Just take a picture of our hands. The rings are hard to remove.”
Elena slowly extended her own hand, fiddling with her phone, struggling to find the right angle.
She looked up, silently seeking Chris’s help.
Chris raised an eyebrow, “Mind if I hold your hand?”
Elena shook her head, then felt she might have been too eager.
As she hesitated, Chris’s large hand enveloped hers.
Fingers interlocked, palms touching, the silver rings on their fingers seemed to glow warmly.
Elena took several random photos, each one artistic.
After taking the photos, she pulled her hand back, her fingertips curling slightly to dispel the burning sensation on her skin.
Elena showed the photos to Chris.
“They’re well-taken.”
“I’ll send you a few.” Elena then realized, “I don’t have your phone number.”
As she spoke, Chris already had his phone out.
They exchanged numbers, adding each other to all contact apps, integrating each other into their lives.
Just as they finished, Chris stepped outside to take a call.
Elena carefully examined the photos, finding them more artistic the more she looked. As she was about to post them, her phone rang.
Though it was an unfamiliar number, Elena had a guess who it was.
She hesitated for a moment, sighed, and answered the call.
Brian's voice was as cold as ever, commanding from above, “I’m at the airport. Bring me a document in half an hour.”
Elena was silent for a long time, then reminded Brian seriously, “Brian, we’re no longer engaged. We have no relationship.”
Had she been too easy to bully?
Why did Brian still feel he could order her around even after the breakup?
Brian's tone was authoritative, “Elena, I’m in a hurry. I don’t have time for your tantrums!”
“Tantrums?” Elena sighed, “Brian, I’m not throwing a tantrum. I’m married now. Don’t contact me again.”
The line was silent for several seconds. Just as Elena was about to hang up, Brian sneered, “Elena, you’d make up such a ridiculous lie just to make me give in?”
His tone was pained, “Elena, how did you become like this? You weren’t like this before!”
“What do you think I should be like?!”
Elena suddenly didn’t want to hold back anymore, “Do you think I should willingly raise someone else’s child for you, like a cuckold? Or should I watch you and your ex-girlfriend hug and still help you deliver documents?”
“Brian, do you think I’m a cheap person?!”
For the sake of their families’ relationship, she had endured Brian several times, hoping for a peaceful breakup. Did Brian really think she had no temper?
Brian was silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth, “I don’t agree to the breakup.”
“Whether you agree or not doesn’t matter. I’m already married!”
Elena began to suspect Brian’s mental state. Could he not understand plain words?
Brian, seemingly not hearing her, suddenly threatened, “Fine, breakup it is! I agree!”
“But Elena, don’t regret it!”
Elena wasn’t afraid of Brian’s threat. She calmly said, “Brian, don’t call me anymore. My husband will misunderstand.”
Then she hung up, blocking his number.
After a moment’s thought, Elena quickly edited her text and pictures, announcing her marriage with Chris on IG.
She soon received many friends’ congratulations.
Jasmine: "Honey, how did you and Brian move so fast, already getting the marriage certificate?! When’s the wedding?"
Before Elena could reply, Jasmine had retracted the message and sent a new one.
Jasmine: "WTF, it’s not Brian?! But your new husband is so handsome! Great choice! When’s the wedding?"
Kylie: "Congratulations to my friend, wishing you and your husband a happy marriage. Waiting for you to invite us for a meal, I need to prepare a gift."
A bunch of Elena’s friends, classmates, and employees sent their blessings.
Fortunately, Elena had already deleted anyone related to Brian, so the atmosphere wasn’t spoiled.
Just as Chris ended his call and walked in, he asked, “What are you looking at that makes you so happy?”
Elena touched her face, “Do I look happy?”
Chris nodded slightly.
“Probably because I received blessings from friends. It’s very satisfying.” Elena’s voice was especially gentle.
Chris raised an eyebrow, “Did you post the photos?”
He took out his phone, quickly adding a few words and reposting it.
Elena’s phone buzzed. She looked at it, feeling a wave of unfamiliar warmth.
— Introducing my wife, my lover, Elena Jones.
It was just a simple sentence, but it had a heartwarming effect.
Softly, quietly, yet deeply tender.
When she looked up at Chris again, her eyes were clear and bright, reflecting his handsome, deep face, as if there was room for no one else.
Elena asked, “Are you free recently?”
“Why?”
“I have a few good friends. Now that I’m married, I’d like to invite them for a meal and introduce you.”
Chris nodded slightly, “I’ll follow your lead.”
A simple sentence, yet it carried an implicit indulgence and affection.
After chatting for a bit, Chris went to the study to work, and Elena eagerly headed to her studio.
Evenings were her most inspired time, so she always spent some time in the studio each night. It was a habit she had developed over the years.
Three hours later, Elena finished her first draft and walked out of the studio, feeling satisfied.
She grabbed a jacket and put it on, ready to take a shower. As she passed by the study, she saw through the slightly open door that Chris was still sitting at the computer.
His eyes were focused, his thin lips slightly pursed, looking very serious. The interplay of light and shadow highlighted his well-defined features.
Handsome and steady, with a touch of seriousness, he embodied the charm of his age.
Elena couldn't help but take a few more glances before quietly leaving.
Appreciating something beautiful seemed to elevate her mood significantly.
Elena had a comfortable bath and did a hand mask. After some pampering, it was already 12:30 AM.
She glanced at the time and went downstairs to make herself a cup of milk.
While preparing it, she remembered the light still on in the study and decided to make an extra cup.
- Writer
