Chapter 8

After Luke and Finn left, the house suddenly fell silent. Luke was the most carefree among them, perhaps because he was the youngest. He always had others looking out for him and handling things, so he rarely had to worry. He was also the closest to Sara and would often make excuses to drop by for a meal. On the other hand, Finn had plenty of romantic gossip surrounding him, but no one had ever seen him bring a partner to meet the group. He carried himself with an effortless charm. Zayn—who wasn't there that evening—was the most mature and composed of them all. However, he was often abroad, so Sara rarely saw him. He was always polite, refined, and effortlessly graceful whenever they met. She'd only ever had pleasant interactions with him. Meanwhile, Hans was the one who rarely spoke, and in the few times Sara had encountered him, they'd only exchanged brief greetings. But according to Luke, Zayn had a ruthless side beneath his polished exterior. He was the type of guy who could kill without a second thought. Hans, on the other hand, was the most two-faced of them all. Luke didn't dare to cross them, which was why he always stuck close to Finn. Sara had also asked Luke about Spencer. At the time, Luke had replied, "Spencer? He's even more formidable than Zayn and Hans put together. None of us would dare disobey him." Sara couldn't understand why they were so terrified of Spencer. He'd always seemed more distant than threatening in the three years she'd known him. Luke said they had always listened to Spencer. Their bond had been built since childhood—the kind of trust that meant they'd risk their lives for each other. Sara had never asked Spencer about the specifics of his business. She only knew that he'd started it with the others, that it spanned a wide range of ventures, and that he was always busy traveling for work. Luke's remark about Zayn being "the type of guy who could kill without a second thought" struck Sara as an exaggeration. Still, their friendship ran deep and closer than most brothers. That night, just before bed, Spencer got a call from Hans. Apparently, an unexpected issue had come up in the Namzura region, and he needed to leave right away. After Spencer showered, he lay in bed together with Sara. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and said in a low voice, "I have to go on a business trip tomorrow." "How long will you be gone for?" Sara asked. "If things go smoothly, a week. Maybe two." "Is it serious? Sara couldn't help feeling a little worried. "Nothing too difficult. Hans is already there handling it. I'll try to come back as soon as I can." Spencer didn't want Sara to know too much or start overthinking. "You should stay at the Tiernan residence while I'm gone. It'll be a good chance to spend time with Grandpa." "I'd like to visit my hometown to see my grandpa," Sara said. It had been a while since her last visit. The last time had been for Neil's death anniversary, when she visited his grave to pay her respects. Jeritho was a ways from her hometown, and with Spencer away on business, she could stay a little longer this time. Upon realizing that Sara was talking about the late Neil, Spencer said, "Sure. I'll have the driver take you. We'll go again together when I get back." Spencer knew that Sara would alway bring gifts for the locals, so he planned to ask the driver to give her a ride to make things easier. "Alright." Sara didn't turn down the ride Spencer had arranged. She had things to carry, and crowded buses didn't feel safe or practical for a pregnant woman. Not to mention, her doctor had advised her to be cautious during the first trimester. Setting aside the terms of their arrangement, Spencer had fulfilled every duty expected of a husband—except loving her. Sara knew feelings couldn't be forced. Love either came or it didn't. It wasn't something one could reason out. Perhaps Spencer's kindness stemmed from their physical intimacy, or simply a sense of marital duty, however temporary their arrangement might be. When Clementine visited last time, Sara had made excuses to avoid her. She couldn't bear facing the woman who still held Spencer's heart, even though she knew she'd eventually have to leave. She felt a pang of guilt, as if she'd stolen someone else's happiness. But this time, she put herself first. Be it cunning or plain greed, it didn't matter. She had no intention of leaving unless Spencer made her. Sara would tell him about the pregnancy when he returned from his business trip. For once, she'd fight for what she wanted. Spencer held Sara close, slowly pressing kisses along her back that gradually moved upward. Then, he gently turned her to face him. His lips met hers, and his tongue slipped into her mouth, claiming her with hungry insistence. Sara, concerned for their unborn child and unsure of how to refuse, let out a soft hum and whispered, "Be gentle." Her involuntary moan escaped, sounding more like a sweet plea in itself. "Okay," Spencer murmured, his voice husky with restraint. He never considered himself the type to crave intimacy. After his parents died, he grew distant by nature. The thought of intimacy never crossed his mind during his time with Clementine. At the time, he believed that waiting until after marriage was a sign of respect for the other person. Before being with Sara, he had always seen intimacy as unnecessary. He had never slept with anyone before her. But once it happened, he couldn't control himself and acted like an impulsive teenager. Their marriage was based on an agreement, and he knew it wasn't fair to Sara. But what was done was done. There was no going back. All he could do now was fulfill his responsibilities in the marriage as best as he could. That night, Spencer was tender in a way Sara had never seen before. He whispered sweetness into her ears until she melted. Overwhelmed by how adored she felt, she surrendered to the moment. Afterward, they fell asleep in each other's arms. … The next morning, Sara woke up late. By then, Spencer was already gone, and only the rumpled sheets served as evidence of their previous night's intimacy. After getting up, Sara made herself something to eat to satisfy her hunger. Then, she got ready to head out and pick up a few things. Her old neighbors had always been kind to her and Neil when they lived in the village. The locals were simple, good-hearted people. One day, one of them might bring over vegetables; the next, someone would leave a basket of eggs on their doorstep. Sara never forgot their kindness. Whenever she went back, she'd bring small gifts for everyone. They were never expensive, since she didn't earn her own money and was just using Spencer's card. She used to ask Spencer before buying anything beyond the essentials, but over time, he told her not to worry and to spend as she liked. What she spent on those little things was nothing compared to what Spencer could burn through in a single night. To him, it didn't even count as pocket change. At first, Spencer had James deliver new clothes and bags to Sara every month, all from high-end brands. However, since she hardly ever wore them, she eventually asked Spencer to stop the deliveries. Instead, Sara preferred shopping online from independent designers, sometimes altering the clothes herself. They weren't pricey, but they were comfortable. Deep down, she'd always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Back in the countryside, she'd sketch designs in her spare time. Neil used to tell her, "Sara, you're going to be a great designer one day." But then, he fell seriously ill, and Sara had spent all their savings taking him from one hospital to the next. In the end, he still passed away. Thankfully, after Neil passed, she met Oswin and Spencer. They gave her a new home, and for the past three years, she'd been deeply grateful to them. Sara went to the mall and picked up winter jackets and school supplies for several children left behind in the village. She also swung by the supermarket to grab some dried goods and fresh fruit. The village was mostly populated by the elderly and children as most young adults had moved to the cities for work. Sara had thought ahead, knowing that dried goods could be stored and used over time. In total, the items she'd bought filled up two large boxes. She told the driver to drop them off at the villa first, then return to pick her up early the next morning. It was getting late, and driving at night could be risky. So, Sara decided to leave early the next morning instead. She planned to visit Oswin that night to check on him and say goodbye. With Spencer away on a business trip and her heading back to her hometown, it could be a while before she'd see Oswin again.