Ariel sat on the bed, nervous as Rhysand walked out without saying a word.
She wanted to call him back but didn't know how. After all, she barely knew him.
Rhysand had been working as a bodyguard for the Ocean family for only half a year.
He didn't talk much and always kept to himself.
People said Rhysand came from a poor family and owed lots of money.
He took the job to make ends meet. His looks were so striking that all the girls at Rain City would line up just to get a glimpse of him.
They even once broke a glass door trying to see him! But Rhysand didn't pay attention to anyone.
He was cold and scary, so even though the girls liked him, no one dared to get close.
Ariel had seen him a few times at the mansion.
Whenever they passed by each other, he wouldn't even look her way, just coldly walking by.
Except for when they talked about work, they barely exchanged words. Now, being married to him felt strange and awkward.
The room was simple but neat. Ariel noticed the decorations, like the red window grilles with the word "happiness" and the bed made up with new sheets.
Even though the sheets had peony and carp designs that seemed old-fashioned, they looked nice.
Ariel felt guilty looking at everything Rhysand had prepared for their wedding night, especially after she had left him to go meet her ex, Callum.
And because of her, Rhysand had gotten into a fight with Callum and been fired. Yet, Rhysand didn't blame her once.
Ariel's heart sank. Just then, the door creaked open, and Rhysand strode in.
His hair was wet from a shower, and he was only wearing black pants.
Though his clothes were simple, they couldn't hide how handsome he was.
His muscles, still wet, glistened under the light, making Ariel's heart race.
She quickly looked away, knowing what usually happens on a wedding night.
Gathering her courage, she whispered, "I'm sorry about earlier."
Rhysand didn't say anything, just grabbed a towel and began drying his hair.
Ariel peeked at him again and noticed blood on his hand. She gasped, realizing his hand was injured.
She remembered when he fought Callum earlier, and it must've gotten cut then.
"Let me help clean your hand," Ariel said, jumping off the bed.
But before she could touch him, Rhysand stepped back, his voice cold. "Don't."
Ariel's hand froze mid-air. She bit her lip, feeling awkward. "You must be hungry. Let me cook something for you. I'm good at cooking."
"I don't need anything," Rhysand replied harshly.
Ariel felt even more uncomfortable as he referred to her as "Miss" in such a distant, cold way, like she was nothing to him.
He didn't see her as his wife. He thought she was dirty.
Rhysand finished drying his hair and turned toward the bed. Ariel stood there, feeling like there was a heavy stone in her chest.
From the moment he walked into the room, he hadn't looked at her once or spoken to her unless it was coldly. It was like she didn't even exist to him.
Desperate, she blurted out, "I'm still clean."
Rhysand finally looked up, his cold, dark eyes piercing through her. Ariel gathered her courage and held his gaze.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked sarcastically.
"I went to see Callum to get something," Ariel explained, trying to make things right.
Rhysand cut her off, "Miss, I'm just a bodyguard. You don't need to explain anything to me. If I'm not good enough for you, we can divorce. I'll sign."
Ariel shook her head quickly. "No, that's not what I meant."
"What then? Do you think I can't compare to your ex?" Rhysand's words were sharp and hurtful.
"Nothing happened between me and Callum," Ariel insisted.
"Really? Prove it," Rhysand challenged, his voice cold.
Ariel's hands clenched tightly. No matter how she explained, Rhysand didn't seem to believe her.
She needed to clear things up now or she'd never get another chance.
"Rhysand, look at me," Ariel said, her voice trembling.
Rhysand frowned as he turned to face her. Ariel's wedding dress slid to the floor.
Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes filled with determination.
She stood in front of him, vulnerable but strong.
Rhysand stared at her, stunned, before frowning again.
Ariel whispered, "I didn't do anything wrong."
"Miss, you don't have to prove anything like this," Rhysand replied, his voice quieter now.
She blushed even more but bravely asked, "Do you want to check for yourself?"
Rhysand didn't answer, just stared at her with his deep, dark eyes. Ariel's face turned redder under his gaze, and she mumbled, "Stop staring at me."
"You asked me to look at you," Rhysand said softly. "What do you want me to do, hug you instead?"
Ariel froze, embarrassed, and couldn't say anything.
This was the boldest thing she'd ever done, and her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest.