Three months later.
Rachel Foster was dining with Noah at the Pure Taste restaurant.
"Noah, how's the project going?" Rachel asked as she cut into her steak.
Noah chewed a steak thoughtfully before replying, "After clearing out the metal waste, the radiation levels have significantly decreased. However, it's still unsuitable for a commercial center. After three months of surveying and assessments, the company has decided to convert it into an airport."
Rachel looked up curiously, "An airport?"
Noah nodded, "We considered many redevelopment options and found an airport the most suitable. Although airports have high foot traffic, people only visit a few times a year. Experts tested that even frequent travelers spending an average of ten hours a day at the airport wouldn't be affected by the radiation. So, building an airport is the safest choice."
Rachel beamed, "That's brilliant, Noah! Turning it into an airport is such an innovative idea. Although it might not be as profitable as a commercial center, its value is immeasurable, and most importantly, it won't harm people's health."
Noah nodded, "I also think it's the best solution, but the idea wasn't mine—it was Kingsly's."
Noah referred to Kingsly Scott as "brother-in-law." Two months ago, Noah started calling him that during a dinner with Rachel and Kingsly, and Kingsly accepted the title with a smile.
Rachel, however, still found it uncomfortable that Noah referred to him that way. She frowned slightly, "Didn't I ask you not to call him that?"
Noah chuckled, "Kingsly doesn't mind, so why should you?"
Rachel replied thoughtfully, "You know we're not..."
"I know you two aren't in a normal relationship, but how else should I refer to him in private?" Noah mischievously eyed his sister. "Should I call him 'Mr. Scott's even in public? That would just raise more suspicion!"
"But..."
"Come on, sis, it's just a title. Consider it my way of showing respect to him."
Rachel couldn't argue further, as Noah had a point.
"Speaking of Kingsly..." Noah set his utensils down, looking at Rachel intently. "Sis, I haven't heard you mention him much lately. Hasn't he been around?"
Noah referred to Kingsly's apartment when he said "home."
Since Rachel moved into Kingsly's apartment, he had stayed there frequently.
However, this "frequent" stay didn't mean he was there every night; it just meant he stayed when there was no new fling.
Recently, Kingsly ended things with the actress Josie. Reports suggested he had a new love interest, supposedly a female lawyer.
So, for the past three days, he has not stayed at Rachel's place, and she has not contacted him.
Noticing Rachel's silence, Noah asked suspiciously, "Is it true that Kingsly is seeing that female lawyer?"
Rachel suddenly lost her appetite. She set down her utensils and dabbed her mouth with a napkin before saying, "You don't need to concern yourself with his affairs. Focus on your project."
"I can ignore it, but can you?"
"What's there to ask?"
"You care about him. Aren't you bothered by him being with other women?"
Rachel paused. Yes, she'd nearly forgotten that, in Noah's eyes, she was deeply in love with Kingsly.
Rachel naturally shifted somberly, "What can I do about it? I'm not his legitimate wife. I have no right to control him."
"But I feel Kingsly treats you differently than other women. If you're unhappy, he'd surely stay home to comfort you."
Rachel scoffed, "If I clung to him as you suggest, he'd tire of me even faster."
Noah grew anxious, "But if you don't fight for your happiness, you'll just watch it slip away."
Rachel gave a bitter smile. She wanted to say that happiness had eluded her since their breakup seven years ago.
Even if she'd never hoped to rekindle things with him and still had feelings for him, she wouldn't fight to be with him. She had no right. Besides, he had someone he loved.
He'd told her long ago that while he might flirt outside, his heart was always loyal to his wife, showing who mattered most to him.
Being with him initially was out of necessity; now, it's without regret, as a means of atonement.
Yes, she was repaying a debt.
She used to think she only owed him her love. Despite the guilt and pain, seeing his successful career and happy marriage offered some comfort. But after learning by the sea how his parents died and realizing she indirectly caused their deaths, her guilt and remorse became unbearable.
Since that day, she's stayed by his side without complaint, trying to repay her debt.
In the quiet of the night, the thought of causing two deaths gnawed at her.
Had they not met, he wouldn't have suffered such emotional trauma. Without meeting her, he might have been a brilliant artist, as he once said he hated business, yet now he's entrenched in it. Without her, he would have had his parents' care...
She had disrupted his life. Despite his success, she haunted his dreams and visions like a nightmare.
No matter how she tried to compensate, she'd never repay him.
Someone like her had no right to speak of happiness.
"I'm content just being with him like this... I only wish him well," Rachel told her brother.
Hearing this, Noah sighed, feeling guilty.
Once more, he silently apologized to Rachel.
I'm sorry, sis...
If not for Diana and me, you wouldn't have lost your happiness...
As a child, I couldn't help you, but now, I'll ensure you and Kingsly find your way back to each other.
After their meal, Rachel and Noah returned to the company.
Yes, Rachel had started working at Titans Group two months ago as a junior staff member in the sales department.
She chose to join Titans Group for two reasons.
Firstly, she needed a job. Secondly, working at his company and helping generate revenue was a form of compensation, however insignificant it might be to him.
Initially, she worried about gossip in the company. After all, there had been reports of her and Kingsly's closeness at the golf course during Jasper's crisis. However, the rumors faded after Jasper proposed to her, and her ties with Kingsly remained unchanged. Now, with her joining Titans Group and the news of her breakup with Jasper, she feared the sensitive public might stir things up again.
Fortunately, in her two months at Titans Group, though many tried to pry into any connection between her and Kingsly, she consistently denied it. With her in the 25th-floor sales department and him in the 98th-floor executive office, their lack of interaction left people with nothing to speculate about. Over time, people began to believe she joined Titans Group because of her brother, who was unrelated to Kingsly.
After a busy day, Kingsly called her on her taxi ride home.
His call after three days surprised her.
"Hello..."
"Where are you?" His voice was always so captivating.
"On my way home."
"Don't go home; wait by the roadside... I'll pick you up for dinner."
"What about your lawyer friend?"
He laughed, "Jealous again?"
She turned to the window, calm, "No, just thought you'd be with her."
"Alright... I'll pick you up."
"No need!"
He sounded displeased, "Rachel, you know I don't like it when you act up."
She chuckled softly, "Kingsly, you misunderstood. I wanted to cook for you at home... Last time, you said you liked my cooking. Let's eat at home tonight!"
His mood improved, "I'll be home in an hour."
"Okay."
After the call, Rachel went to the market, bought fresh ingredients, and cooked a full meal.
Smelling the delicious dishes, knowing they were Kingsly's favorites, made Rachel feel content.
However, Kingsly returned home two hours later.
Entering, he dropped his briefcase and hugged her, resting his head on her slender shoulder. He apologized, "Sorry I'm late. You've been waiting long?"
She hadn't felt upset, but his words made her nose tingle.
Yet she'd never complain.
Turning, she helped him with his coat, her tone gentle and free of displeasure, "The food might have cooled. I'll reheat it; you rest a bit."
He held her back, his tone coaxing, "You're not mad?"
She smiled, "I'm not mad... but if you come home early next time, I'd be happier."
He kissed her forehead, "I'll try not to let it happen again."
"Alright, rest a bit. I'll reheat the food."
He nuzzled into her neck, "Since it's cold, let's wait to reheat it..."
"What are you doing?"
His hands started roaming, making her voice breathy, "Don't... not now... it's dinner time..."
His voice was thick with desire, "But I'm more hungry here." He guided her hand to his throbbing need.
Her face flushed, rendered speechless by his teasing.
He lifted her, carrying her to the bedroom.
With little foreplay, he entered her.
She clutched the sheets in pain...
Gradually, the discomfort was replaced by pleasure.
Afterward, she lay in his arms, covered in sweat.
He kissed her forehead, whispering, "Satisfied with me?"
Her face, already flushed, turned redder at his question, and she playfully punched his chest.
He laughed, kissing her heaving lips, "You're adorable, still shy after so many times."
"You keep talking..." she protested, hitting him again.
He caught her hand and flipped her onto her back, saying, "Keep this up, and I'll make sure you're never shy again."
She froze, eyes wide, scared by his teasing.
Amused, he grinned, "Keep looking at me like that, and I might just follow through."
Realizing his teasing, she broke free, throwing a pillow at him, playfully scolding, "Jerk!"
He dodged, holding her close before letting her go.
Sitting on the bed, she slipped on his shirt for convenience.
He watched her button up, admiring her.
She turned, softly saying, "I'll reheat the food now... you should get up."
He pulled her back into his arms, nuzzling her face, "Let's just eat out..."
"No," she pushed him away, grumbling, "I made your favorites. It won't take long."
He embraced her, his voice husky, "Rachel, why are you so good to me?"
His words made her pause, thinking he'd noticed. "You're my patron. Should I defy you and make my life hard?"
Feigning ignorance, he murmured, "At first, you were so meek. Now please me, especially in bed. We're more in sync..."
She knew seriousness was rare with him. "Keep teasing, and I'll stop talking to you..."
He chuckled, holding her tight, "I suggested eating out because I'm short on time."
She turned, "Do you have plans tonight?" Was he seeing the lawyer?
He smirked, "I sense jealousy."
She pouted, "No, I'm not."
He explained, "I can't always be here."
Was he making excuses for his affairs?
"Don't overthink... I'm heading to the airport. Luna's unwell, so I'm going to be with her."
So, he wasn't meeting the lawyer but flying to the U.S. for his wife.
He treated Luna well, even flying to be with her when she was unwell.
She nodded, saying no more.