"When he chose to join the Fowler family through marriage, I was ecstatic. However, I failed to realize how his brazen and careless behavior would cause you pain. Had I known he'd be unfaithful to you, I never would have backed the Madron clan to begin with."
These genuine words from Howard, my typically detached and sharp-tongued employer, were startling. It felt almost unreal.
Yet the more earnest he became, the more I questioned if I deserved the profound affection he seemed to offer.
Nevertheless, Howard's tone was unwavering as he stated, "Returning to our discussion, I couldn't conceive of any other way to repay a life-saving debt except by offering myself to you."
It may sound trite, but it revived my heart, which I thought had long since stopped beating. Particularly when I met his gaze—it was completely focused on me.
Who wouldn't be affected by a man like him? Attractive, affluent, and deeply thoughtful.