A timeless vow

Shen knew the barriers had come away. The way she looked at him was as if galaxies sparkled in her eyes. The tears were deep pools of hope, and her stained face observed him expectantly.

Shen had seen so many parts of Lina in the last month or so since she had returned to him, and he had loved her for every single one of them. He would never truly unravel the mystery she was, but loving her meant that he would spend lifetimes trying, enjoying and cherishing every layer.

This beautiful woman was headstrong at times, secretive at others...sometimes she was protective, and possessive and today she was troubled and needed his support.

He had held back from her, to give her time and space to settle back in, but he sensed that something had changed in her since today.

Even though Shen wondered what had happened, he could see her sincerity when she asked him that question.

Lina didn't get an immediate response, so her eyes started filling up with tears again.

"Why aren't you answering my question? Are you not my husband?"

She felt such a pressure in her chest, it was hard to breathe.

But the next thing, took her breath away completely.

She felt Shen's soft, thin lips come down on hers.

And the tears threatening to fall, overflowed freely.

She didn't need an answer anymore. This was her answer.

There was a protective gentleness in that kiss, as well as a harsh possessiveness. He wouldn't give his woman up to anyone for any reason. No matter what happened, hereon, he would be her husband for as many lives as there were to come.

This was Shen Moshi's timeless vow to his beautiful, secret wife.

Lina responded to the kiss, giving herself to him completely, melting in his arms. She couldn't seem to be close enough to him, wanting more and more of his comfort and love.

The warning bells earlier hadn't been for herself, but for him.

It was him she had wanted to protect all along.

But it all made sense. Allowing him in would help her make sure she could keep him safe.

As she pulled back from him, her face red, she had made up her mind about one thing.

"You can sleep on the bed."

"What?"

Lina was too soft, Shen didn't hear what she said.

"YOU CAN SLEEP ON THE BED NOW!"

This time she yelled in his face and ran out downstairs to find mother for some dinner. She smelled chicken soup.

Left alone in the room, Shen smiled to himself.

He was out of the doghouse. He could hold his wife every night now.

*****

Downstairs, Lina ran to Rika. She was overjoyed that this kind mother had come over immediately with her favourite food when she heard Lina had collapsed.

She saw her mother-in-law setting out the table herself, while Butler Min and Housekeeper Tan watched awkwardly from the side.

She would prepare everything personally for her one and only daughter.

Lina's heart softened. She ran up to Rika and hugged her.

"Thank you thank you thank you mother for always looking after me!"

Shen's mother was a tall woman, it's why Shen had grown up to be so tall. Her every move was fluid, even if it was pouring soup into a bowl. Her actions had the grace of a young woman, but her face had the aged beauty of an older, experienced woman.

When Lina hugged her, her head was tucked perfectly under Rika's chin. She smiled at how tightly Lina was hugging her, trying to express her gratefulness with every action.

"If I don't pamper my only daughter, who will I pamper?"

She laughed as she said this, happy to see the girl looking spirited after the troubled sleep she had.

Quickly, she checked Lina's temperature. It was still the same, but she didn't want to eat in bed. She looked more alive and active and wanted to have dinner at the table.

At that moment, Shen walked into the dining hall, after having quickly changed his crumpled, messy clothes.

As he walked in, Lina felt like she was seeing her husband for the first time.

It was actually, the first time, after she remembered her love for him. Even though she had grown used to being close to him and around him the last month, this felt so new after the flashback at the coffee shop.

She blushed as she stared at him.

"Why don't you take a picture, it will last longer!"

This troublesome husband! He already started teasing her.

She scrunched up her nose and pouted at him, crossing her arms angrily in front of her chest.

"Son, stop teasing her. She's unwell and you only seem to have tricks up your sleeve to make her feel worse!"

Shen rolled his eyes at his mother. He wondered who she actually loved more.

"This is why I never ask you to come over. It was only for Lina's sake!"

Rika knew exactly how to handle her son.

"Don't worry, child. I've asked Butler Min to make a bed for me in the guest room. I'll be staying for the rest of the week until I'm convinced my daughter's health is getting better."

Lina's eyes lit up. Chicken soup for dinner every night and mother's pampering?! What a treat!

Shen's accusatory gaze immediately darted to Butler Min, accusing him of treachery. But he only smiled politely back at Shen.

If the old Madam gave him an order, he wouldn't dare disobey.

At that very moment, Housekeeper Tan hurried up to Shen and quietly whispered to him, leaving the old Madam and Lina to keep each other busy.

"Young master, Ms. Ayu and Ro-kun are waiting outside in the hallway to see you. They say they have some urgent news they want to talk to you about."