Once they got home and changed clothes, Julian Jarvis helped her take off her scarf and hung it on the coat rack.

A faint, almost intangible quietness hung in the air.

They weren’t usually talkative, but Julian Jarvis always carried a gentle, smiling expression.

"Go upstairs and lie down for a bit," he said, steadying Song Ying as they headed upstairs.

Song Ying hesitated, wanting to say something, but in the end kept quiet.

The room was comfortably warm. After changing into home clothes, Julian Jarvis sat by the bed.

He stood up to let her lie down, his tone mild: "Rest for now. I’ll have someone bring dinner upstairs."

"Alright…"

Once she was settled, Julian Jarvis went downstairs, calling his own restaurant with careful instructions for a light meal to be sent over.

Next, he contacted their nutritionist to arrange a meal plan suited for pregnancy for Song Ying in the coming days.

When everything was set, he tossed his phone onto the couch.

He knew his emotions were in a mess—so much so that he couldn't hide it from his face.

Outside, snow began to fall thick and slow again, blown about by gusts of wind.

Julian Jarvis opened the balcony door and stepped out, cold air biting instantly against his skin.

Why am I upset?

He knew her pregnancy should be a happy thing.

But when had Song Ying found out? Why hadn’t she told him all this time?

He could guess her concern—it was likely work-related.

She was probably afraid he’d ask her to stay home and rest.

Julian Jarvis chuckled at himself, feeling rather like he’d failed.

Weren’t they supposed to be the closest to each other? The child was theirs together.

He felt guilty for being so inattentive, for not noticing before—and frightened by today’s scare.

But most of all, it stung that Song Ying had waited so long to tell him.

He pulled a cigarette from his pocket—rarely did he smoke.

White smoke mingled with his frosty breath as he leaned forward on the balcony, elbows on the railing.

Upstairs, after lying down for a while, Song Ying turned over, still feeling guilty...

She touched her belly and whispered, "Baby, did Mom do something wrong?"

With a sigh, she couldn’t help but get up and head downstairs.

The living room was empty—no one in sight…

She returned to the second floor, searching the study.

It was empty, too…

...Julian Jarvis had gone out? Was he angry…?

A wave of panic rose. She’d been too selfish—this wasn’t just her matter; they were married. Yet she’d kept it from him.

Julian Jarvis must be upset.

Biting her lip, she headed downstairs, wanting to look for him.

His coat was still on the rack by the entryway—she turned and, just then, spotted him out on the balcony.

Snowflakes, large as goose feathers, settled in his black hair. He stood with his back to her, looking thin in too little clothing, shoulders a little slumped from disappointment.

She hesitated, regret flooding her.

Carefully, she walked closer and knocked on the glass door. Julian Jarvis turned instantly, snuffed out his cigarette, and came inside.

Worried she’d catch cold, he shut the balcony door behind him and looked down at her. "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Song Ying shook her head, then wrapped her arms around his waist. Only then did Julian Jarvis realize just how cold he’d become.

He tried to ease her away, not wanting her to catch his chill. “Don’t hug me. I’m freezing.”

"You’re not cold…"

She tousled his hair—a rare show of emotion from her, usually so calm and composed.

He asked gently, "What’s wrong?"

"I’m sorry, hubby…"

The words caught in her throat, tears welling as she clung to him.

For years, she’d loved Julian Jarvis first. This relationship hadn’t come easily—she didn’t want a wall between them.

Julian Jarvis gave a soft sigh and smiled, bending to scoop her up. "Why so aggrieved? I just needed a little time to process."

Sitting with her on the sofa, he noticed how her hair—normally tied tightly back—was a bit messy, and worry clouded her normally cool face.

Julian Jarvis gazed into her eyes, waiting for her to speak.

"I should’ve told you sooner," Song Ying said, frowning, laying all her tangled thoughts bare. "I…"

Those hard-to-express, careful feelings spilled out.

"I’ve just always been used to doing my best—whether in my studies or my job…"

Julian Jarvis tucked her hair behind her ear: "Ying, I wish you’d lean on me more. There’s no need to bear everything alone."

"It’s just… I overthink things," she mumbled, burrowing into his arms. "Back then, all I did was study or work in the lab. Maybe I was unsatisfied, wanting to be better. I wanted that, one day when you met me, you’d think, ‘Ah, Song Ying is remarkable.’"

"When a girl who wasn’t with you became so good on her own, maybe you’d regret refusing me."

"I’ve imagined all sorts of things, big and small—some a little silly."

Her voice grew soft and dreamy, as if lost in years past.

"Year-end evaluations are coming up. I… just didn’t want to miss out. But when we were at the hospital today, everything suddenly seemed unimportant. We’re married now, together…"

Julian Jarvis felt a tightness in his chest. Song Ying only seemed strong on the outside—inside, she’d always lacked a sense of security.

He should’ve been more patient, asked her, not left her panicking.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her hair. "Baby, we’re married now. Trust me, okay? The past is over. I regret all those years we lost, making you carry things alone."

"But now things are different. This lifetime, we’ll be together—we have our child, we have each other. We’re a family."

"You don’t have to be so tough or force yourself. You can lean on me, complain, act spoiled. Work when you want, rest when you want—it’s up to you."

Warm tears soaked into his shirt as he held Song Ying close. He looked into her cool, delicate eyes, kissed her gently, and smiled once more, voice gentle as a feather.

"Yeah, I shouldn’t have sulked on my own."

Song Ying grumbled, "I knew you were angry."

"Of course—I care about everything when it comes to you. I get scared too—scared you’ll stop trusting me, scared I’m not enough, scared I’ll mess up. I’m a coward too."

They both cherished each other so much, they’d become overly cautious.

"Alright—let’s promise to share everything with each other from now on."

"Mm, I’ve already told you everything."

"…I told you too. Even about the baby…"

"Mhm."

No more unhappy things were said. Julian Jarvis reached out and stroked her belly, teasing, "Really? It’s still so tiny."

Song Ying blushed. "It’s only a little over three months. You can just barely feel it."

She took Julian Jarvis’s large hand, lifted her clothes, and guided him to where their baby lay.

"In another month, it’ll be obvious."

Feeling the gentle warmth beneath his palm, Julian Jarvis’s heart drummed as he relaxed and caressed that little spot.

"Wife, I’m amazing."

"Hm?"

"We already have a baby so quickly!"

"…"

"So does that mean from now on I can’t touch you?"

"…It’s… not impossible."

"Better not—bad for prenatal education. Scandalous."

"Julian Jarvis, behave yourself…"