Annabelle Linton looked at their catch, her lips curling into a radiant smile. "Tonight’s dinner is settled. Let me show you what I can do."

She had been smiling a lot these past few days, and her smile was always beautiful. Aaron Wyatt loved to see her smile.

He drew out his words, deliberately trying to annoy her. "What a shame. I’ll mourn for those fish. Such vibrant lives, destroyed by you just like that..."

"You’re going to go hungry tonight."

"What I mean is, they were going to die sooner or later. To die at your hands... they should be so lucky."

Annabelle Linton couldn’t help but laugh. She gave him a look of disdain and raised an eyebrow. "Lord Wyatt, where’s your integrity?"

"That... let me think..."

Aaron Wyatt pretended to think it over seriously before replying with equal seriousness, "How about this? You can have my integrity, and you can give me yourself. How about it?"

"But..." Annabelle Linton thought he was joking and started to laugh along.

But when she looked up at his refined features, his gaze was burning into hers. His tone was light, but his expression was so earnest that the rest of her sentence trailed off...

For a second, Annabelle Linton’s mind went blank.

Then, after a moment of stunned silence, she fidgeted uncomfortably with her hair and gathered her things to head back. "Okay, let’s go. I still have to cook."

"Mm."

Aaron Wyatt followed slowly behind her. A faint smile touched his lips as he watched her obviously distracted and unsettled figure.

’Annabelle, this time, I’ll hold on to you tightly. I’m definitely going to win you over.’

’We will be together.’

「An hour later.」

Annabelle Linton came out with a platter of grilled fish.

In reality, it was less a dinner for two and more a meal made just for Aaron Wyatt.

Annabelle Linton’s injuries prevented her from eating such food, so she could only watch him eat with a smile.

Aaron Wyatt was full of praise as he ate, complimenting her sincerely, "This is delicious."

Annabelle Linton handed him a glass of water, smiling without a word.

She looked at the surrounding scenery and murmured, "If it were possible, I’d love to live here forever."

"If you’re willing, we can find a place like this and live here for the rest of our lives."

Annabelle Linton’s expression froze. She lowered her gaze and fell silent, her melancholic eyes fixed on a ripple in the water as she let out a soft sigh.

Aaron Wyatt had been saying things like this, both overtly and subtly, many times recently.

’She knew what he felt, but there was no way she could reciprocate, was there?’

The water reflected his handsome, sunny face.

His brown hair shone in the sunlight. He looked at her tenderly, a warm and expectant smile on his face that could warm anyone’s heart at a single glance.

He had a pure soul, a pure heart.

She knew he would treat her with sincerity.

’But she couldn’t get over that hurdle in her heart.’

’I’m defiled. I’ve been opened and seeded, been married, and had Leona Grant’s child... My body and soul are both in ruins. How could I ever be worthy of someone as pure and wonderful as him?’

Annabelle Linton lowered her eyes, unwilling to dwell on the matter. "It’s getting late. I’m going to get some rest. You should sleep early too."

Just as she was about to leave, Aaron Wyatt grabbed her hand. "Annabelle," he said earnestly, "please stop running away. You know how I feel about you. We’ve known each other for so many years; I know what you’re thinking from a single expression. You have reservations, don’t you?"

Annabelle Linton pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

They were both silent for a moment before Aaron Wyatt took her hand in his and said gently, "What are you holding back for? Is it because of me?"