Chapter 9: A New Beginning

The Honeymoon Night

The warm glow of candlelight flickered across the luxurious honeymoon suite, casting soft shadows on the silk-draped bed. Lilian stood near the window, gazing at the city lights below, her heart pounding in her chest.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, and she melted into the familiar warmth of Raymond's embrace.

"You look breathtaking," he murmured against her neck, his lips brushing over her skin.

She turned in his arms, meeting his dark, adoring eyes. He looked at her as if she was his entire world, and at that moment, she wanted nothing more than to be lost in him.

Their lips met—slow at first, a lingering kiss that sent a shiver down her spine. Then, the heat between them grew, their mouths moving with urgency as his hands roamed her body, setting her skin aflame.

Raymond lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward the bed. He laid her down gently, his weight pressing over her in a way that made her ache with longing. Their bodies intertwined, heat rising between them as he whispered sweet nothings against her skin.

Their wedding night was a dance of passion and love—soft gasps, deep kisses, and whispered promises as they became one in the glow of their love. Lilian let herself drown in the pleasure, her hands gripping his shoulders, her breaths mingling with his. Every touch, every movement, was filled with devotion, sealing their bond as husband and wife.

As they lay together afterward, their bodies tangled in the sheets, Raymond pulled her close, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead.

"I love you," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple.

She smiled, nestling against his chest. "I love you too."

But as sleep crept in, a fleeting image crossed her mind—Dennis.

Lilian stared at the ceiling, listening to the sound of Raymond's steady breathing beside her. The warmth of his body should have been enough to comfort her, but her mind wandered where it shouldn't.

Dennis.

Did he ever think about her? Did he regret not telling her how he felt?

A soft sigh escaped her lips. She didn't want to think about him. She was married now, devoted to the man sleeping beside her. Raymond had given her everything—a love that was stable, reassuring, without hesitation.

And yet, somewhere in the depths of her mind, Dennis lingered.

Shaking the thought away, she turned on her side, pressing closer to Raymond. This is my life now. This is my love.

She needed to let go of the past.

The next morning, Lilian sat by the balcony of their honeymoon suite, her phone pressed to her ear as the cool breeze kissed her skin.

"How are you, my love?" her mother's warm voice came through the line.

"I'm wonderful, Mom," Lilian replied with a soft smile.

"We saw the pictures," her sister chimed in. "You looked so happy. Tell us, how's married life?"

Lilian hesitated for a moment before answering, "It's… beautiful. Raymond is everything I could have hoped for."

Her mother chuckled. "That's good, sweetheart. You deserve happiness."

Lilian nodded, gripping the phone a little tighter. "I do."

And yet, as she ended the call and set the phone down, she found herself staring out into the horizon, wondering if Dennis ever thought of her, the way she still—on rare, fleeting nights—thought of him.

That evening, as Raymond pulled her into his arms, pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder, he must have sensed her unease.

"Are you happy, my love?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Lilian turned to face him, looking into the eyes of the man who had chosen her, who had never wavered.

"Yes," she whispered, cupping his face. "I am."

Raymond searched her eyes for a moment before smiling. "Good. Because I will love you every single day, for the rest of our lives."

She leaned in, kissing him deeply. And in that moment, she vowed to silence the past and embrace the love standing right before her.

Lilian sat on the edge of the bed, absently tracing patterns on the bedsheet as the afternoon sun cast a warm glow into their apartment. It had been weeks since they arrived in this new country, and while Raymond had settled into his work routine, she found herself stuck in a loop of slow, quiet days.

She glanced at Raymond, who was seated at his desk, typing away on his laptop. "Raymond," she called softly.

He paused, turning to her. "Hmm?"

She hesitated before finally voicing what had been on her mind. "What am I supposed to do now?"

Raymond frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"You have your job," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But I… I don't have anything yet. I wake up, do house chores, and wait for you to come home. I don't know if I should start looking for work or just—" she exhaled, "—accept that I might not find something immediately."

Raymond set his laptop aside and leaned forward. "Lilian, you don't have to rush into anything. We just got here. It takes time to settle in."

"I know," she admitted. "But I don't want to just sit around doing nothing either."

"Then take your time and look for something when you're ready," he said gently. "It doesn't have to be teaching if you don't want it to be. You can explore other things, maybe even take a course or do something new."

She nodded slowly. "I just… don't want to feel useless."

Raymond sighed and reached for her hand. "You're not useless, Lilian. You're adjusting. And that's okay."

She let his words sink in, the weight of her uncertainty easing just a little. "I guess I'll start checking for job openings soon."

"Good," he said with a small smile. "And no matter what you decide, I'll be here to support you."

Lilian squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Raymond."

"Always," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead before returning to his work, while she sat there, a little more hopeful than before.