Sad

Four days later, Evander broke the news that he had gathered all the information about Gwen five years ago—or exactly when she left Arthur overseas.

Arthur opened the brown envelope that Evander had given him. He wore special glasses to read the writing on them. Evander who stood up immediately sat in front of his desk in his study.

"About forced marriage is true. Previously you never wanted to know about this problem, it turns out that the man who was betrothed to Gwen was a fifty year old man. Why did her family accept the match, because this foreign man is a wealthy man who helps her family's business. As you know, Gwen's father's company used to merge with your father's company, but when your father's company fell, he was affected. He was still able to survive after you started to revive your father's company again, but it seems someone instigated him to leave your father's company."

Arthur was still trying hard to read, and his pace was slower than Evander's explanation.

"Then?"

"Then your accident happened, it strengthened itself even more to separate Gwen from you."

"Who instigated his father?"

Evander glanced at Arthur before replying, "You would never guess who this instigator was."

"Matthew?" he asked.

"How do you know?" Evander was a little taken aback. "Did Gwen say it?"

"No. Matthew bumped into Livy a few days ago and broke her watch."

"Damn!"

Arthur put down the report and removed his glasses. "Do you think he broke the watch on purpose or did he know the bug was there?"

Evander shook his head in disbelief. "I can't give speculations, but do you remember that after Gwen went abroad, Matthew also went to study abroad as well? You wouldn't think that they were going to the same place, which was New York."

"..."

"Still, that doesn't change anything. I think Matthew was just a pawn of your stepmother."

Of course Arthur thought the same thing. But he didn't understand why Matthew met Livy, what was his purpose? Did he want to persuade Livy to stay away from Arthur too?

"As for other things, you can read it yourself. I only outlined the matter." Evander sighed.

Arthur remembered something. "Send some people to keep an eye on Gwen, if she does anything suspicious report it to me."

"On it."

In the afternoon, Arthur picked up Livy at the university. He didn't tell her he was coming, having done so on purpose to surprise her as well as to give her a present. His thumb rubbed the dark blue velvet box in his hand, opened the lid, a heart diamond necklace shining in the afternoon sun. It was the special gift he had chosen for her.

Well, not exactly a special gift, this necklace is a replacement for Livy's broken watch. Of course the necklace also had a bug inserted.

When the car finally arrived, Arthur saw someone standing alone at the bus stop. Even though he couldn't see very well, he knew it was Livy because the car stopped right nearby. As she entered, Arthur greeted her with a gentle smile.

"You picked me up?" Livy was shocked.

"You do not like?" Arthur asked back.

"It's not like that. I ... I really like it." Livy averted her eyes in embarrassment and her hands slightly fixed her messy hair.

Arthur reached out to grab something from her hair. It was a flower petal.

"Did you wait long?" Arthur threw away the flower petals, which came from a tree near the bus stop.

"Not too long. Um, did you just come back from somewhere?"

Arthur nodded, he opened the velvet box in his hands, showing Livy. "Here."

Livy was shocked when she saw a beautiful necklace before her eyes. "W-What? This ... you mean, this is for me?"

"Yeah, you like it?"

"It's ... It's so beautiful."

Arthur smiled because of his little wife's reaction, then took the necklace and unlatched it. "Turn around," he said. "Let me put it around your neck."

Livy couldn't hide her smile. This was the number of times he'd given her gifts, but she'd never given Arthur anything of value. As she turned around she parted a bit of the hair on her neck and felt Arthur's hand begin to clasp the necklace.

"This necklace looks so expensive. Do I deserve it?" She bit his lip.

"Why not?"

"..."

"This necklace is custom made. There is only one in the world and it is made according to your pure character."

Referred to as someone who is pure, Livy felt very guilty. Even though she had several dirty thoughts in her mind, did Arthur really think of her as pure?

Arthur didn't know what Livy was thinking, he turned her body so it was facing him again. His smile was very gentle and genuine, this made Livy even more nervous. "You look so good in this. So beautiful as you are. So, wear this necklace wherever you go."

Of course, Arthur still had to monitor Livy using this thing. He wanted to be in time when Livy was in trouble.

Livy's smile widened. She shyly kissed Arthur's left cheek. “Um … T-Thank you.”

Arthur rubbed her head gently.

***

"Your eyes examination results are good. I will send your medical records to the doctor in Germany for discussion. So, Boss, hold on for another month to take good care of your eyes."

Arthur removed Dave's hands from his eyes and he got up from the examining ward.

At night after dropping Livy home, he went to the hospital and did some medical tests for his medical record to be submitted to a specialist abroad. Incidentally the whole process will be taken care of by Dave as the doctor in charge.

After searching for some information, the hospital in Germany was qualified to perform neurosurgery for him.

"I told you proper rest will help you recover properly. Luckily sister-in-law can be co-opted," he grinned.

Arthur still ignored him and sat down on the chair. Dave followed to sit across from him taking notes.

"I hear you've been busy lately. What's the problem?" Dave asked without looking at him.

"Just some business."

Dave stopped taking notes to look at Arthur with a disgruntled look. "Don't you think I don't know what you're doing, Boss?"

Arthur looked back at him flatly. "If you know, why ask?"

Dave clicked his tongue.

Arthur's busyness lately was not about work. He secretly made contact with Gwen to sort things out between them before he could leave quietly. It had been easy for Arthur to tell Livy about the meeting, but he didn't think it was necessary to involve her. After all she didn't know Gwen at all, and Arthur was seeing Gwen on business.

"Don't tell Livy about my meeting with Gwen." Arthur said.

Dave heard this and snorted. Deliberately pressing the hospital stamp on Arthur's medical record in annoyance. "Look! You're inviting me to conspire to lie to sister-in-law!"

Arthur, "..."

"I can keep my mouth shut tight and so can Evan. But what if she finds out from anyone?"

About this, Arthur was sure that no one but them would know. He could only be wary.

After all, he wasn't having an affair or playing behind Livy's back. If she knew about it, she wouldn't be angry for such a reason. Because there is no evidence that they returned. The meeting was only a meeting between friends.

When he got home, he saw Livy was in the kitchen and cooking while humming happily. It was been almost two months since he recovered, but she's still in this house.

Actually Arthur was relieved to see Livy at his side. However, the distance between home and university is not exactly short. He was worried she was exhausted.

"You're back?" She who saw him coming into the kitchen, got excited. "How was your health check up?"

"It's great." Arthur wasn't completely lying.

Currently Livy was wearing a red apron with floral motifs. Her long hair was tied high on her head, but some of it fell to her cheeks. He vaguely looked at this casual beauty and was satisfied.

"What are you cooking?" Arthur picked up a clean glass on the table, heading to the water dispenser.

"I cooked the meat," Livy said, then said, "I'll get it for you."

Arthur's hand stopped as Livy took over the glass.

Livy poured water in the teapot instead, Arthur drank it and immediately felt a warm feeling in his throat.

"This ... jasmine tea?" Arthur frowned.

"Yeah," Livy smiled knowingly, "the scent of jasmine tea is great for calming the mind and as an antioxidant for the immune system. I thought I'd make you this tea every day to keep you from getting sick."

"You always make healthy drinks for me. So now it's time for jasmine tea?" Arthur raised his eyebrows.

Livy chuckled shyly and returned to the stove to stir the meat she was cooking. The strong smell of beef filled the air and faint smoke drifted over the cooking pot.

It was true what Arthur said, during this month, Livy started making him various healthy drinks. Starting from low-fat milk, soy milk, warm ginger water, some fruit juices, coconut water, even lemon juice. Now jasmine tea is also included in the tea list after previously there were chamomile tea, green tea and ginger mixed tea.

Livy really worked hard.

Arthur came close to her and hugged her waist, he rested his chin on her small shoulder.

"Arthur, I'm cooking. There's a lot of smoke in here," Livy complained with amusement.

"I want to see my wife cook." Arthur deliberately kissed her on the cheek.

Livy blushed, but she immediately pushed Arthur away from the stove. "You can see it, only five meters away, ok? The smoke can get in your eyes. The chili fumes make your eyes sting."

Arthur relented.

Five meters away, what could he see?

"I'm going to take a shower first," he said.

Livy, "After you shower, come downstairs for dinner."

Before leaving Arthur kissed Livy briefly on the cheek and went upstairs with satisfaction. The smile never left his lips. The maids he passed accidentally saw this moment and were happy for their master. Before their master got married, he was a stiff and cold-hearted person always showing a frightening expression. However, recently a lot of changes have taken place, even serious maids can become more friendly with each other.

They were happy for their master, but also grateful that this change had happened because of Livy.

After Arthur had showered he went downstairs to the dining room. Livy was preparing some food.

"Exactly, you go downstairs and the food is ready." Livy pulled him to sit down.

Seeing lots of appetizing food, Arthur was very satisfied, but he actually had no appetite. As soon as Livy scooped up some rice and side dishes for him, he still tried to eat them.

"How does it taste?" Livy looked at him.

"Delicious," Arthur answered honestly.

After hearing the answer, Livy started to take it for herself. "You've been getting busy lately, so eat more. Even you were left from early morning until last night."

If it weren't for this situation, Arthur would have known that Livy was protesting.

"You must be tired, right?" She stopped spooning the side dishes and stared at him. "What have you been working on lately? Are you pushing yourself again?"

There was a note of dismay at the end of that sentence, Arthur couldn't have missed it.

He put down his spoon. "I'm just taking care of some things."

Livy sighed. "It's fine as long as you don't think too hard."

Furthermore none of them said anything. At the long table, only the sound of the clashing of spoons and plates that filled the dining room unknowingly began to freeze. Livy was in her own thoughts, still curious about the 'things' that Arthur was dealing with. But didn't dare to interfere.

Arthur finished eating and wiped his mouth. "You come back to the dorm tomorrow."

Livy's head tilted at this. Previously, Arthur had also asked her to come back, but she always refused him kindly. As soon as he said it again, for some reason she felt very surprised and couldn't believe it.

'Why? Did he shoo me away? Am I talking too much and bothering him?'

There were more questions in her mind that bombarded her non-stop. Especially if her presence bothers him, she feels very guilty. But why did she feel guilty? Was she really wrong?

"Why?" This question left her lips unconsciously.

"You're approaching semester exams, shouldn't you focus on your studies?" Arthur stared at her.

'Just because of exams?'

"I've recovered now, you don't need to worry anymore. Going back and forth from university to home, must be very tiring. At least before your exam is carried out, go back to the dorm."

Livy forced a smile. "Mn. Looks like I do have to start studying for my exams."

Arthur stood up from the chair, before going upstairs, he stroked Livy's head gently. "After this, rest and sleep."

Livy's dinner plate was still half filled. The food she made was delicious, it was just that she suddenly lost her appetite. She thought maybe Arthur was tired so he left first. Though usually they would go up to the room together. And tonight, Livy will probably stay in her room again after almost a month of them sleeping in the same room.

Didn't Arthur ask her to rest and sleep, it was in her own room, right?

Livy was lazy to think about this and made her think a lot negatively. She had to try not to distract Arthur because he seemed really busy lately. She just needed to go back to her room first and sleep.

Until finally in the morning she woke up from sleep and will prepare soy milk. The maid informed her that Arthur has left early in the morning.

"Already left?"

The maid nodded.

Arthur was used to leaving early in the morning, that was before he got sick, and for nearly two months they had eaten breakfast together. So Livy was a bit unfamiliar.

"Did he say where to go?" asked Livy.

"No. Today he was wearing formal suit, maybe going to the office."

Livy nodded. "Has he had breakfast?"

"Young Master left in a hurry, as soon as he came out, he immediately asked the driver to hurry to go." The maid explained.

"Oh. I got it."

After breakfast, Livy brought some necessities to the dorm. She also took the time to process a few bottles of juice and place them in the fridge. After doing so, she told some of the maids to prepare some hot drinks every day for Arthur.

Only then was she satisfied and prepared to leave.

She was sad but she felt no need to make a big deal out of it.

... to be continued ...