After a moment of enjoying the sight in front of him, he couldn't hear any more footsteps and guessed they had given up chasing them. He slid an arm around her waist, allowing her to stare right into his gaze.

"They had left." He said in a half-teasing manner. She wanted to let herself lose only to be held on tighter.

"Let me go." She warned as her eyes were piercing at him this time.

"Else what?" He raised an eyebrow as he pinned her to the wall, knowing it would provoke her further but he did not care.

"You knew all along my son was there but you never tell me?" She scolded while gritting her teeth.

"You knew your son was performing all along but you never stop him?" He retorted as she sighed in defeat.

"The issue isn't about him. It's you." He added knowing it would piss her off.

"What about me? I'm his mother. When I have the time I'll go and watch over him. What's wrong with that? You didn't have to create a commotion either with those men. They were harmless." She argued which made him even more wild and furious.

He stood closer to face her on the same level. "Has someone forgotten that she is my wife now? Though by contract, you're still my wife and I can do anything to protect or even…" She could sense some uncontrollable situation was brewing as she desperately wanted to escape. Before she hear more, she quickly smacked his hand off and tried to escape.

"Nonsense! That's just for show." She randomly made an excuse, forgetting what was it that they were arguing about earlier. He pulled her back into his arms and held her tightly, giving her no chance to escape but kept her gaze on his. He could tell she was in denial.

"I love you, Ting Ting. Can't you tell? I had always loved you since that day you protected me in the jungle. I know you do too. Why are you denying it now?" His sudden gentle tone took Xue Ting by surprise.

Her eyes widened at the verse she long awaited and finally heard but she was not happy. She was remorseful and hurt instead. She could not control her tears from falling when she looked away as she swallowed her disappointment.

The thought of hoping for him to come by on the day James confessed to her vanished into thin air in an instant. The hope for him to appear during her complications in pregnancy or raising the kids was merely wishful thinking all this while.

He said it. He finally did. But why am I crying?

She questioned herself while he calmed down a little noticing she might have realised something as he helped her wiped her tears away. She knew it was her chance to clarify all doubts. After all, there was not anything to lose at this point.

Staring back into his eyes, she boldly asked. "Why didn't you give me the bouquet back then in high school?"

He took a while and thought about which incident it was. He instantly recalled she must have seen him waiting by the side of the pathway with his own bouquet but James beat him to the confession. He was furious back then but he knew loving someone has many flaws and ways; one of them was to keep the person happy.

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But the thing was, was she happy? It does not seem like it. Was it all a misunderstanding? He thought to himself as he furrowed his brows.

"So, you saw me?" He teased her with a sad tone, making Xue Ting's anger melt a little for a moment before he pinned her back to the wall in full force which widened her eyes in shock.

"Why did you accept his bouquet?" He questioned her with a lustful voice this time as he watched her eyes twinkle while being caught off guard.

Xue Ting finally gave up fighting her denial as she let her tears flow freely while replying to him.

"To get back at you. To ignite hatred and anger in you. To…" She gritted her teeth in hatred wanting to say to make him regret not pursuing her.

"Why didn't you stop us?" She asked instead in defeat as she smacked his chest and rested her head on it while she sobbed.

"Cause I didn't want to destroy any of our friendship." He looked down at her sadly while gently patting her head.

She opened her eyes and caught the sight of the broad chest she was leaning on. She began to admire the sight she had always played like an old record at the back of her mind while caressing his chest.

Right. He is right. He knew this earlier than I did. She thought to herself.

"Wasn't it the same reason you left me that night?" He asked gently as she looked up.

She contemplated whether to tell the truth about the twins' identity once again to him but hesitated instead when the thoughts of all the disasters Mrs. Tang could cause.

"You were betrothed. I broke up. How could I stay?" She said sadly.

"If only I was more impulsive…" He lamented as he held her closer into his arms.

"Don't change." She pleaded. "I like the way you are. In fact, you have been more impulsive lately…" She said in a softer tone as though complimenting him.

"Do you like it?" He relaxed himself as he teased her. He could not help but smile. She looked away feeling shy although she wanted to answer him no but she must admit, she began to like his impulsive self.

"I meant what I said." He said gently and she knew he was serious while staring into his gentle yet wild gaze.

"I love you and now that you're my wife, I am going to protect you and the kids. Would you let me have the chance to make things right?" He asked gently and she let an uncontrollable tear fall down her cheek.

"You know how much I longed to hear this all this while…" She whispered while beaming with a broad smile in the midst of her tears. Flushes of red filled her cheeks listening to that symphony of words she had been reciting in her mind all these years.

"I know… I'm sorry for being late… Let me make it up for you?" He asked as he inched closer to touch her lips with his and when he felt she did not flinch away, he knew she was waiting for it.

He pulled her in as he parted her lips to finally claim the love he had been trying so hard to find. She held on tightly to him in return as she felt all the warmth from him as though protecting her as promised.

They pulled apart after a long lingering kiss but could not help to steal a few more as their eyes were still closed.

"Shouldn't you be looking after our son?" She asked as she forced herself to open her eyes to wake from the sweetest moment she had to find him smiling while admiring her beauty.

"I am going to but I should send you home first. This skimpy dress will not make its' way out of the house again without me." He teased while tightening the grip on her waist as she smacked him on his elbow.

He chuckled while leading her out of the alley. "I promise to accompany him every Wednesday. It was a little secret between the three of us…"

"Three of us? So everyone knew from the very beginning except me…" Xue Ting asked in disbelief.

"Yes, unfortunately, and that's how we grew this close." He hung his arms around her shoulders.

"Traitors…" She hissed. He could not help but steal a kiss from her, leaving her flustered.

"Mrs. Tang, I'm asking for a date tomorrow night." She tilted her head to the left a little and squinted her eyes, planning a small revenge on him.

"I will think about it…" She said as she spun around to escape him only to be held on her right palm as he walked her to the car happily, glad that she was formally his.

"Promise me to not them know that I know about their secret Wednesday night activities. I know back then it was to help out with the home's financial situation. After you came, I let them be 'cause I didn't plan to stay after the contract…" Xue Ting explained as Qiu Wen wrapped her in his arms as they walked.

"I will be playing a dangerous role appeasing both sides…" He chuckled trying to ignore the last part of her sentence. Xue Ting gave him a worried look but they both knew it was the best solution for now.

"Alright, I promise. About the contract duration, I want to help out as much as I can. Besides, who needs the contract anymore now." He teased which left Xue Ting a little weary.

"Hey, don't worry. I will take care of things together with you. You have me now by your side." He comforted as Xue Ting hugged him tightly when they reached the car.

I wished it was true. How am I to tell you the rest of the truth? Will we be able to endure whatever happens when your mother finds out?

She questioned herself as she continued to embrace Qiu Wen which slowly was turning into her place of refuge. She was at war with herself as she did not want to rely upon him but yet a part of her was yearning for him. Qiu Wen was gently rubbing her back to comfort her and had no clue at the path he had led himself to.