Since Valerie had prepared the wedding rings, Matthew forgave her for her actions that evening. He put the ring back in its box and stashed it in his coat pocket.

Valerie was relieved to see him take the ring. She said, “Mr. Grant, I hope you’ll consider what I said. My brother would like to meet you. Would you be willing to meet my family if you have time?”

Despite their earlier disagreement, Matthew, being her husband, still showed her respect. “I’m not available these days, but let’s plan for the weekend.”

“Okay, thank you, Mr. Grant!” Valerie secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had used all her sales skills that evening, and it seemed she had finally made Matthew forget about being locked out.

After she finished speaking, she stood up, forgetting she was still wearing her wet, slippery bathroom slippers. She lost her footing and fell forward.

Instinctively, she reached out to break her fall, but remembering the baby, she quickly shifted her focus to protect herself. She braced for impact and closed her eyes, but instead, felt strong arms catch and lift her. Terrified, she immediately clung to Matthew’s neck for support.

“Thanks!” Valerie said. She would have fallen had it not been for Matthew.

Matthew frowned, thinking, ‘Despite eating so much, she weighs like a cat. I could even flip her over in the air. Besides…’

“You’re not wearing underwear!” Matthew asked.

Matthew’s words made the woman in his arms stiffen. She slowly turned her head, her face flushed, her voice barely audible.

“Thank you, Mr. Grant. I’m going back to my room if there’s nothing else.” The smile vanished from her face. She barely looked at him, fled the scene, and slammed the door.

Matthew sat on the sofa, staring at Valerie’s closed door for a moment. He loosened his tie with slender fingertips, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He thought, “What’s there to be shy about? I’ve seen her body before. Is it too late to be shy now?

Besides, he remembered the day she asked him to marry her. She’d mentioned hickeys on her chest and asked if he wanted to see them. She hadn’t been shy then. “Why is she so nervous today? I thought she only smiled. Turns out she has other expressions,” he pondered.

It took Valerie a while to calm down as she leaned against her bedroom door. Her heart pounded. She had tried to handle things smoothly, treating Matthew like a difficult client. But Matthew had suddenly hugged her, and she could feel his muscular body through her clothes and smell his fresh scent. Although he seemed fierce and cold, he was still a handsome, virile man.

Only then did Valerie realize Matthew wasn’t a client. No client would hug her and ask about her underwear. He was her husband. Suddenly, she felt less confident about the next six months.

After a few more moments, the sticky feeling on her body made her uncomfortable. She realized she’d only half-showered and sighed hopelessly. She thought, “Well, let’s see how it goes.”

Their rooms were next to each other, and they both had good sleeping habits. The night was peaceful, and Valerie woke to her alarm the next morning.