Bailee was holding the jade bracelet his wife had given him. His face looked like it had been dusted with blush.
His cheeks were rosy, his neck was flushed, and his ears were pink. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but mostly joy.
Even though he tried to stay calm, the way he looked at Julie showed not just gentleness, but also a bit of love. Seeing that his two younger brothers were there, he smiled politely and softly. "Thank you, my wife. I really like the birthday gift you gave me."
Julie glanced at him again but didn't say anything. She returned to her room.
---
As night fell, Julie came to Bailee's room on his birthday night.
She noticed he was still wearing the same white clothes from earlier, and her eyes showed a hint of interest.
Because she hadn't tried this before…
Bailee was sitting in front of the dressing table, staring blankly. His eyes weren't focused, just staring at one spot without any expression.
He was holding a wooden comb, but he wasn't using it.
His hair was loose, falling naturally on both sides of his face. His skin was pale, and his bare face looked very handsome.
If someone timid had seen the dim mirror, with a blurry image of a person in white clothes and loose hair, they might have felt a bit creeped out by the atmosphere.
Bailee was lost in thought and didn't know that Julie had already opened the door and walked in.
He had no idea that his wife was going to visit his room that night.
Julie quietly closed the door and walked up behind him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder.
Her voice was low and a bit hoarse, "Not sleeping?"
Bailee, who had been spacing out, suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He immediately jumped up, as if a needle had poked him.
His eyes hesitated for two seconds, but in the end, he didn't dare to turn around. "Who is it? Is it… my wife?" His head lowered slightly.
His voice was trembling, and his body was also shaking without control.
He kept thinking about that voice—was it Julie?
Bailee was never a brave man and was quite afraid of ghosts and strange things.
And the more scared he got, the more his mind wandered.
He completely forgot that at this hour, no one else but his wife would come.
His imagination kept running wild, and his body started trembling more and more.
When the three brothers used to live together, Haven liked to tell stories late at night. As he told them, Lorrie would listen with shining eyes, while Bailee would shrink under the covers, shaking slightly.
He always had to pretend to be calm, because he was the big brother and couldn't look weak.
But he often woke up from nightmares.
Julie had no idea about the scary pictures in his head. She simply thought he was cold.
She didn't know if he had forgotten or what, but the fireplace wasn't lit tonight.
"It's me. Are you cold? Why are you shaking so much? I'll light the fire, it'll be warm in a bit." She walked over to the fireplace, where the coals were still unlit. She took out the fire striker, lit it, and soon sparks appeared.
Julie finished lighting the fire, put out the striker, and placed it back in the drawer.
The room wouldn't warm up quickly, it would take a little time.
She walked closer to Bailee, planning to tell him to get under the covers to warm up.
As Julie got close, Bailee suddenly wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and leaned his head on her shoulder, whining softly, "Wife, you scared me. I thought it was…" His voice shook. "I was so scared, I almost lost my mind."
Julie didn't quite understand, but still controlled her strength and gently patted his back. Her intention was to comfort him, but after only a few pats, Bailee let go and pulled away from her embrace.
Julie's palm stayed frozen in midair.
A hint of confusion flashed in her eyes, but she slowly lowered her hand as if nothing had happened. There wasn't a trace of awkwardness on her face.
Naturally, she didn't see the way Bailee lowered his head, trying to endure the pain.
Julie's strength was still a bit much.
He couldn't take the fourth pat.
What was supposed to be a warm moment turned slightly awkward, the discomfort lingering in the air.
Bailee wasn't as good as Haven at reading people's expressions, but when it came to those he cared about, he could pick up on even the smallest signs.
He was always the first to fall in love, always the one to give the most.
Just one glance, one expression, one small action from the one he loved, and his mind would start spinning—thinking too much, overanalyzing, constantly unsure.
So before Julie could react, he wrapped himself around her again. "Julie, I was scared… I thought you weren't coming tonight." Why didn't she say something before coming? At least give him something to look forward to.
Julie didn't push him away. "Scared of what?" She still didn't understand what there was to be afraid of.
Bailee didn't want to admit he was just timid.
Seeing the look on his face, Julie didn't press further.
It was late. The two of them couldn't just keep staring at each other all night.
Under his second lingering gaze, Julie scooped Bailee into her arms and laid him on the bed.
She didn't act immediately. Instead, she leaned close and whispered something in his ear, as if asking for his consent.
Bailee blushed and nodded.
Her eyes lit up—that meant yes.
Julie didn't hold back after that.
…
After the storm, things settled down.
Bailee, normally gentle, was extra clingy that night.
"Julie, today's my birthday. Can I hold you while I sleep? I feel cold. The fire's not warm enough. Just for tonight." Afraid Julie would say no, he quickly added the last part.
His eyes were soft and full of charm, his face glowing slightly after everything, yet he had no idea how alluring he looked. Still, he kept teasing without meaning to.
The more unintentional the flirting, the more stirred Julie became.
"That depends on your performance," she said, turning to face him again…
Half an hour later, the room finally quieted down.
Bailee's bangs were damp, clinging to his cheeks from the heat, and he had already drifted into a deep sleep. He looked peaceful and sweet.
Julie glanced over and, unable to help herself, gently brushed the hair away from both sides of his face.
She looked at his sleeping expression and thought to herself that he really was obedient. Even in sleep, his behavior was good.
No talking in his sleep, no grinding teeth, no sleepwalking.
Julie remembered what he had said earlier, and gently pulled him into her arms, wrapping one arm around his waist and closing her eyes.
She'd never told him—he had a naturally clean and refreshing scent. It was subtle but pleasant.
Over time, she might get used to it.
She didn't like sleeping while hugging someone. She was afraid that if she had a nightmare, she'd lose control and end up choking the person next to her.
Since coming here, she had never really slept deeply in someone else's room. Part of it was caution, afraid someone might try to kill her in her sleep. The other part was the fear that she might accidentally hurt someone in her sleep.
In her previous life, she never trusted the person next to her. She had seen too much, been through too much. She knew what men were capable of saying and doing.
She'd listen, but to believe it? That would be foolish.
At first, she'd still lie down and try to sleep after being with someone, even if she wasn't fully relaxed. At least she didn't leave right away.
But after a couple of experiences… she started getting up early and leaving before dawn, without hesitation.
She became immune to late-night pleas to stay.
Since arriving here, she tried not to stand out too much. She didn't want to be different from the others.
Usually, she waited until morning before leaving.
As for why she had no children in her past life…
It was because, back then, childbirth was incredibly dangerous for women. Giving birth was like stepping into death's doorway.
And her? Have a child?
For a man who might be dead by her hand the next day?
Ridiculous.
When she found out it was men who bore children here, she was more than pleased.
People are selfish. If she didn't have to bear the child herself, of course she hoped to have her own bloodline, healthy and strong.
She would do her best to protect the child's father.
Anyone willing to bear her child would, at the very least, mean a little more to her.