Chapter 1
I, Amelia Crawford, have regrets.
15 min left
If I had just stayed in my lane as a tutor and hadn’t borrowed Gavin Harris’s study computer to edit my thesis, I never would have discovered that this usually cold, stern man had his computer filled with videos and photos of me.
Wait, the file notes say 【Wife?】
The suburbs were cold in early autumn. By the time I emerged from the subway station, it was already pouring rain.
I pulled out my umbrella from my bag and opened it, watching the dense raindrops hit the ground as I hurried toward the path on the hillside.
The subway station was still a kilometer away from the villa district, making the walk particularly challenging.
The wind grew stronger, and rain pelted against me–even with the umbrella, it was useless.
I’m a graduate student living on my own, relying on tutoring jobs during holidays to supplement my daily expenses.
My student lives in a remote villa district on a hillside, and each
1/9
23:25
Chapter 1
visit takes over an hour to reach.
15 min left
But the pay is generous, so despite the long journey, I can accept it.
1 battled through the wind and rain for over half an hour before finally reaching his front door.
Looking at the several black umbrellas on the umbrella stand, I hung up my small blue one to drip dry.
This was already the tenth umbrella.
Every time it rained, my umbrella would end up here, but when I returned the next time, it would always be gone.
It’s just an umbrella, and they live in such a nice place–surely they wouldn’t keep it. They probably just threw it away, so I never had the nerve to ask for it back.
This time when I leave, I definitely need to remember to take my umbrella with me.
The front door opened, and a middle–aged woman smiled as she welcomed me inside.
She’s the family’s housekeeper, Juliette Grey–kind–hearted and always looking out for me.
I straightened my disheveled appearance.
2/9
23:25
Chapter 1
15 min left
Just as I was about to take off my muddy shoes and change into slippers, I realized my socks were completely soaked through.
Seeing this, Juliette quickly helped me with iny shoes, taking them to dry them off.
She said, “Ms. Crawford, please wait a moment. Let me get you a towel and some slippers.”
I smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Juliette.”
After she left, I immediately peeled off my soaking wet socks, stuffed them into a small plastic bag, and tossed it into the trash can by the entrance, then stood barefoot in the foyer waiting.
Creak!
A faint sound came from the wooden staircase.
I looked up to see a man with a cold expression already standing on the stairs.
ticing my upward glance, he slowly descended the staircase.
He wore a well–tailored black suit, as if he were about to head
out.
I nodded politely. “Mr. Harris.”
3/9
23:25
Chapter 1
15 min left
He saw me standing awkwardly by the door, his gaze sweeping over my rain–soaked calves and bare toes.
“Ms. Crawford, did you walk here?” he asked in a detached voice.
I curled my toes self–consciously. “Yes, there’s a subway station nearby.”
Initially, he had offered to send a car to pick me up, but I declined.
After all, I’m just someone working for him–having my boss drive to pick me up would be crossing boundaries.
He didn’t press further and walked over to sit on the low stool in the foyer to change his shoes.
The foyer wasn’t large, leaving less than a meter between us.
As he bent down, a cool, crisp scent wafted toward me.
I quickly stepped aside.
As he bent to adjust his shoes, I could even feel his breath brush against my calves.
A few raindrops slid down my legs, making me instinctively step further to the side.
4/9
23:25
Chapter 1
Soon, Juliette returned, handing me a towel and a pair of sandals.
I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly accepted them.
Gavin finished changing his shoes and stood up as Juliette hurried to help him with his coat.
15 min left
Gavin instructed, “Take Ms. Crawford to the bathroom first to get cleaned up. Don’t let her catch cold.”
Juliette responded, “Yes, Mr. Harris.”
I hesitated. “But Ryan…”
Gavin adjusted his collar without looking up. “Ryan will be back later today. No need to rush.”
His tone brooked no argument, so I quickly nodded my thanks.
Just as Gavin was about to leave, he suddenly noticed the trash bag on the floor.
He said, “Juliette, let me take the trash out. I’m heading that way anyway.”
Juliette looked surprised. “That’s not necessary. I can handle it.”
Gavin continued, “It’s cold, and you’re getting on in years. Don’t expose yourself to the wind.”
5/9
23:25
Chapter 1
15 min left
Only then did Juliette smile and stand up, handing the trash
from the entrance to Gavin.
I watched as that trash bag–containing only my pair of wet socks–was casually picked up and taken away by Gavin, and a strange feeling fluttered through my heart.
After being cold all the way here, I let out a comfortable sigh as I soaked in the warm bathtub.
Gavin is the uncle of Ryan Harris, the student I tutor.
I rarely see him normally, but I happened to run into him today and we chatted briefly.
According to Ryan, his parents are both abroad, and Gavin has been taking care of him all along.
Gavin is quite serious—he rarely smiles and is very strict with
Ryan.
Ryan privately calls him “the old bachelor” and “old fossil.”
In short, you won’t hear anything good about Gavin from Ryan’s
mouth.
I shook my head and didn’t get out of the tub until the chill had left my body.
6/9
23:25
Chapter 1
This bathroom is in the guest room on the second floor.
Sometimes when tutoring runs too late, Gavin has Juliette arrange for me to stay overnight here and leave the next morning.
I don’t know when it started, but some skincare products appeared in the bathroom.
This must be Juliette’s thoughtful arrangement, or perhaps Gavin specifically instructed her to do so.
14 min left
Though given Gavin’s cold demeanor, he probably wouldn’t be considerate to that extent.
After getting dressed, I walked out of the guest room.
Juliette had already poured me some lemon water. “Ms.
Crawford, please have a seat. Ryan Harris isn’t back from school yet.”
I checked my watch. “It’s already nine o’clock and he’s not out of school yet?”
Ryan is already a senior, and his school days are getting longer and longer.
Even so, Gavin still insists on having him tutored, no wonder Ryan complains.
7/9
23:25
Chapter 1
14 min left
Looking at the time, I’ll probably have to stay overnight here again tonight.
Juliette shook her head. “I’m not sure about the specifics. Mr. Harris went to the school earlier–it seems there’s something going on at school…”
I nodded. “The coursework is intense, probably the teacher needs to discuss some things.”
Juliette smiled and nodded. “You’re such a good teacher!
Ryan Harris’s grades have already risen to the top twenty in his class this semester. His teacher also said that at this rate, he can get into a good college.”
I waved my hand with a smile. “That’s also thanks to Mr. Harris being so strict with him. Teachers alone wouldn’t be enough.”
Juliette left with a smile, and I sat in the living room waiting.
Before long, my phone chimed with a message notification.
It was Professor Nash Carter replying with his comments on my paper. When I opened it, there were several pages marked with
issues.
This paper is due tomorrow, and luckily Ryan is coming home late tonight, otherwise I wouldn’t have time to revise it.
8/9
23:25
1
Chapter 1
I quickly pulled my laptop out of my bag, but as soon as I
