He admitted it—this was his first time helping a girl brush her hair, and he really had no idea what he was doing. When he hit a tangle, he’d pulled a little too hard.

"My hair…"

"My hair…"

Olivia Young lay back on the sofa, sobbing softly. "I never want you to help me again…"

"Just one time with you, and I lost three times as much hair as when Holly washes it. I could’ve washed my hair three times over…"

Frederick Fairfax picked up the fallen strands and tossed them into the trash can.

Hiss. Okay, that was quite a bit.

Was it really that much hair, or did it just look like more because her hair was so long? He couldn’t quite figure it out.

But the real problem now was that his wife was crying!

"Don’t cry, don’t cry…"

"I’ll be more careful next time."

In Frederick Fairfax’s entire life, he’d never encountered a situation like this.

He scooted over to hug her, gently patting her. "Lily, I’m sorry…"

"What’s the use of apologizing? Can you give me my hair back?"

Olivia Young buried her face in his chest, still quietly sobbing.

She swore she’d never trust Frederick Fairfax again.

Frederick Fairfax stared helplessly at the top of her head. There was nothing he could do today.

"What will it take to make you forgive me? Whatever it is, I promise—okay?"

He was completely at a loss.

Olivia Young finally quieted, her shoulders still shaking. Her eyes glistened with tears, the corners tinged faintly pink, and even her nose was rosy, making her look like a rain-kissed rose—delicate and vibrant, yet heartbreakingly fragile.

She spoke in a soft, trembling voice: "Then… do a striptease for me."

Frederick Fairfax refused in a heartbeat. "Not happening."

Why is she always up to these sneaky tricks?

"I’m not asking you to go do it somewhere else, and I’m not paying you," Olivia Young sniffled. "I’m just thinking about your wellbeing. Your shirt’s all wet, aren’t you uncomfortable? If you catch a cold and pass it on to me, what then? I’m pregnant—I can’t just take medicine willy-nilly."

"So I should be thanking you instead?"

"Don’t mention it."

Frederick Fairfax chuckled.

Seeing her all teary and fragile, yet eyeing his body with undisguised hunger, he could only shake his head with affection hiding right behind the exasperation in his gaze.

He leaned back on the sofa. "How about you do it yourself?"

He’d half expected her to be shy, but instead she just swung her leg up and plopped herself right onto his lap.

The position… was a bit too tempting.

Her freshly washed hair was silky black, draping over her shoulders like midnight silk. Her brows were soft and delicate, her eyes limpid as stars, pink at the corners, brimming with tears—a dreamy, tipsy beauty, lips slightly parted, utterly enchanting and helpless.

Their eyes met, and Frederick Fairfax’s heart started pounding like a drum—wild and out of control.

"Lily~"

He steadied her by the waist. "Careful—you’re pregnant, remember?"

Olivia Young’s fingertip trailed over his chest through his shirt. "Relax. I’m just having a little fun with you, not planning on taking it too far!"

Frederick Fairfax: "..." So wicked.

What kind of mischievous pleasure was she getting out of this?

"Go on then, see if you dare to follow through!"

"No way, I have to think about the baby," Olivia Young said, gently patting her belly. "Baby, Mom and Dad are about to have an adult conversation. Time for you to get some sleep."

"Is the baby asleep?"

"No idea. Not moving, so probably asleep," Olivia Young mused. Not even her dramatic crying had woken the baby—such a well-behaved little one. Only the strong get to be her child!

As more of Frederick Fairfax’s buttons came undone, Olivia Young’s smile grew wider.

Abs. Wow. She couldn’t help but sneak a feel here, a squeeze there. Firm, so firm. Not bad at all.

The fun only lasted a few minutes before Olivia Young lost interest.

She slumped lazily against Frederick Fairfax. "How are you going to make up for all the hair I lost…?"

"You were just feeling up my abs."

"That doesn’t count."

"I’ll give you my black card—buy whatever you want."

"Now that I’ll accept."

Frederick Fairfax gently stroked her back, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "Lily, just wait for me here, okay?"

Olivia Young retorted, "We’ve been married for months and you never give me any money. Are you even a proper husband?"

He couldn’t argue with her logic.

"Fine, fine, it’s all yours. You can have everything."

"Are you really going to sleep like this? Wouldn’t you be uncomfortable?"

"Want me to carry you to bed?"

Olivia Young gave a lazy hum in response.

Frederick Fairfax picked her up and settled her among her pregnancy pillows on the bed. She looked as delicate and pretty as a porcelain doll.

He had to head back to the film set soon. Who knew when he’d be back next? If the shoot went well, maybe he’d make it back before Olivia Young gave birth. If not…

Frederick Fairfax pinched the bridge of his nose. In his career so far, not a single thing had failed to go smoothly. This time would be no different—it had to go smoothly.

The next morning, Olivia Young woke to find Frederick Fairfax gone—back to the set.

On her nightstand, a black card waited for her.

Cards like this usually didn’t even have a password—she could swipe to her heart’s content.

That very day, Olivia Young and Bella Snow went shopping.

There’s nothing better than spending someone else’s money on shopping sprees.

Anyone passing through the mall could spot Olivia Young with her baby bump, browsing for gorgeous dresses, coats, jewelry—she wanted them all!

"Babe, will you even fit into all these clothes?"

Olivia Young lounged elegantly, watching a model show off a dress for her. "Since when are pregnant women only allowed to buy maternity wear? I’m getting myself cute dresses for after I give birth. Whether I actually wear them is beside the point—the important thing is that I’m shopping, I’m happy, and I’m spending Frederick Fairfax’s money!"

Carrying his child, spending his money—that was how the world was supposed to be.

Bella Snow nodded coolly. "Do it! Spend big! The stuff you’re getting now is nothing—you should buy a house, buy a car!"

"No, I plan on sticking with Frederick Fairfax."

"Girl, are you falling for him?!"

Bella Snow was even more excited than the person involved. "Frederick Fairfax is on really good terms with Tara Young—if I get together with Tara Young, the four of us could hang out as a group!"

Just thinking about it was thrilling.

Olivia Young gently patted her belly. "It’s not as dramatic as you think. I’m fond of him, there’s a bit of liking, but love? Maybe not yet."

And a little bit of self-interest, too.

But that, she couldn’t say out loud.

Frederick Fairfax, that proud tsundere, would definitely get angry if he heard.

She was using the pregnancy to her advantage, and using him to change the original story. But it wasn’t for nothing—she was giving him a child, and possibly her own future too, if she had one.

When they’d finished shopping, Olivia Young and Bella Snow stepped out of the VIP lounge only to bump right into Grace Gordon and Annabelle Winters.

The level of awkwardness was off the charts!

Brain, think fast. What bizarre plotline could pop up in the original novel next?

Oh, plot gods—do I really have to get dragged back into the main storyline?

"Miss Young!"

Annabelle Winters greeted her with fake enthusiasm. "What a coincidence, you’re here shopping too!"

"Lily."

Grace Gordon’s gaze landed on her belly, his heart aching. The beautiful, slender girl who once lived in his memories was now a married wife and mother-to-be. Full main-character buffs—so unfair!

He looked at her with the desperate longing of a man facing his first love, voice filled with melancholy.

Your leading lady’s right beside you, man! Don’t come messing with me.

Grace Gordon’s voice was low and heavy. "Long time no see. Is he treating you well?"