Chapter 1

At 11 PM, my husband climbed into bed and leaned in to kiss me.

After a few minutes of passionate embracing, I suddenly felt something wasn't right.

He, who never shaved, had actually shaved his beard today?!

------

"Why can't he shave? Can't a person shave whenever he wants?" Joy, my best friend, said dismissively.

"He's never shaved at night before."

"Maybe he has a business dinner or something!"

I shook my head.

"Archer never attends any business events at night. Everyone knows that. He comes home promptly at 7 PM every day and goes to bed at 11 PM, more regimented than monks in a monastery."

"Well, everyone also knows he loves darling to the bone, almost giving up his life for darling!" Joy looked at me, somewhat exasperated, furrowing her brow.

"Jade, you're not suspecting something, are you?"

I was taken aback, then laughed it off.

"No, not really."

Just then, Archer called.

"Jade, Mrs. Sterling said you didn't have much appetite and only drank half a bowl of soup. I've asked my assistant to bring home some of your favorite dishes from our private chef. Have some food, take a little walk, then have your afternoon nap. I'll take you to see a musical tonight."

On the phone, his tone was gentle and patient, as if coaxing a child.

Joy listened, sighing and shaking her head.

"If I released this recording, no one would ever believe it's the notorious bossy president, Archer!"

No wonder she said that. After all, Archer has always had a reputation of being decisive, cold, and aloof in public. People only know that he loves and dotes on his wife, but they don't know how he expresses that love and affection.

I've known Archer for ten years and been married to him for five. This gentle, considerate, and attentive side of him...

He shows it only to me.

All of my preferences, including what I like to eat and watch, when I'm in a good mood, when I'm likely to get moody, which brand of handbags I fancy, which designer's jewelry I'm fond of...

He knows it all by heart, inside and out.

One time, I got annoyed that he was being too controlling and threw a tantrum, running away to spend a night in a hotel. When I returned, I found him sitting on the couch, looking haggard and helpless, having not slept all night. The moment he saw me, he rushed over and held me tight, saying in a trembling voice, "I'm sorry, Jade. I'll never do that again."

Last year, we went on a trip to a historic town. The inn we were staying at suddenly caught fire. Archer, who had gone out to buy me a late-night snack, came back and tried to rush inside like a madman. It took five or six people to hold him back. I came out from another room and called out to him in panic. Only then did he run out, his eyes bloodshot, with his clothes already on fire.

He was left with a burn scar on his forehead because of that incident. Every time I see it, I feel both heartbroken and upset, but he smiles and says, "This is my badge of honor as Jade's husband."

Archer loves me. For me, this is more certain than the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

Of course, I love him too.

So, when it comes to such a trivial matter as him suddenly shaving at night.

I noticed it right away.