I was about to open the door when a sudden headache hit me. I closed my eyes, accompanied by a jumble of scenes that flashed in my mind, but everything was still blurry.
I gripped the doorknob tightly, trying to calm myself. However, I was startled by a commotion outside. So, when I snapped back to reality, I put aside my plan to enter the room and locked the door again.
I took cautious steps as I made my way to the garden at the rear of the mansion. There, I found Cole appearing somewhat flustered while in conversation with several mafia guards.
“Guard the place well, clear? If you need to stay awake all night, do it. After what happened to Sir Stephen, it’s not far-fetched for the enemies to target the mansion,” he ordered with authority.
The mafia guards all nodded in unison before taking their respective positions and posts. Some of them even paused to greet me politely when they noticed me.
But I couldn’t manage to say anything. The anxiety within me seemed to double due to what Cole said.
What did he mean by that?
Shaking, I approached him. “C-Cole?”
He turned around in surprise. “Madame! I thought you were already asleep! What are you doing here?”
“I just woke up.” I stopped in front of him. “Tell me, what happened to Stephen?”
He cleared his throat. “Madame, it might be better if you go back to sleep. You have to get to school early tomorrow—”
“What happened to Stephen?” I asked again.
He swallowed and looked down. “They were monitoring an enemy. But they were ambushed and trapped on a yacht with a bomb.”
I felt like I had been hit by a deafening sound at his words. I nearly stumbled from the shock. Thankfully, he quickly supported me.
“Madame! Are you okay? Let me take you to your room.”
He started walking, but I remained rooted to the spot.
“A bomb? How is he? Where is he now?” I bombarded him with a series of questions.
My muscles nearly trembled, a mix of anxiety and coldness gripping me. But I didn’t care. My husband is in danger right now!
“Madame, please go back to sleep. I assure you that when you wake up tomorrow, Sir Stephen will be home,” he said.
I shook my head repeatedly. “No! I want to see him right now. Let’s go to wherever he is!”
He scratched his neck. “But Madame, it’s almost midnight, and I’m sure Sir Stephen would be furious if I took you out at this hour, especially now that you might be targeted by his enemies. You’ll be safer staying inside the mansion.”
My shoulders slumped in resignation. Though I didn’t want to admit it, he had a point. But I still couldn’t shake off my worries.
There are times when Stephen comes home with a cut on the corner of his lip or bruises on his knuckles. I’ve grown used to that, even though the concern never really goes away.
But to be in a place with a bomb? That’s a different story. All sorts of unpleasant scenarios rushed through my mind.
Oh, good God. My husband may be a bad guy. But please keep him safe.

I didn’t argue further as Cole escorted me back to my room. But hours went by, and I still couldn’t manage to fall asleep. There were just too many questions swirling in my mind now.
How long has Stephen known me? Why did he threaten the men who tried to court me before? Why did he tell them that I would marry him?
Apart from that, how did I gain access to that restricted room? How did he grant me that access without me even knowing? What’s inside that room?
And what’s his current condition? Is he alright? Is he injured, or is his condition critical?
I tried contacting him, even his friends, but none of them were answering their phones.
Frustrated, I threw my phone onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. I felt like I was going crazy with all the information I had learned today.
I couldn’t help but wonder. Is this everything I need to know? Or is there more? I hope he will just tell me everything at once instead of leaving me in suspense.
Several minutes passed before sleep finally enveloped me.
***
I jolted awake as I felt what seemed like a caress on my hair.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. But I sat up abruptly when I saw Stephen’s tired face before me.
I stared at him, momentarily speechless. There were slight bruises on his face, but aside from that, he seemed relatively unscathed.
A sigh of relief escaped me as I reached out to embrace him tightly. I could feel him freeze for a moment. He probably didn’t expect my action.
“Thank God, you’re okay! What happened? I could hardly sleep or sit still last night, worrying if you were alright. Cole wouldn’t let me come to see you, so I didn’t know what else to do. I tried calling you and even your friends, hoping to get news, but no one answered.”
Emotion welled up inside me, and I fought back tears.
I felt him tighten his embrace around me. “Don’t worry. Bad guys don’t die that easily.” He chuckled softly, and I playfully swatted his back.
“Ouch!”
I became alarmed when he suddenly winced in pain. I quickly pulled away from the embrace, looking concerned. “Sorry! Where does it hurt? Do you have a wound on your back?”
I was about to check when he gently grabbed my hand. “I’m fine. I just got hit somewhere, but it’s nothing serious.”
I looked at him skeptically. I knew he was holding something back, but he didn’t want to tell me.
I let out a deep breath. “Alright. But have you eaten? I’ll cook something for you.” I was about to stand up when he stopped me.
“No need. I’m just tired. I want to sleep. Can you please stay until I fall asleep?” He sounded almost childlike in his request, his eyes drooping.
I nodded and settled back down. He quickly lay down beside me, placing his hand over mine and resting it on his chest.
“Even if they throw a dozen bombs at me, it’s okay. As long as I have a wife to come home to.” He grinned, raising an eyebrow playfully.
I frowned and flicked his forehead. “You goof! Of course, you have a wife to come home to. But what if you come home all battered up? Then what?” I held back tears at that thought.
He closed his eyes and smiled. “I’ll probably dodge and escape all those bombs just so I can come home to you. We’re going to be together for a long time, my wife. So, don’t think too much about anything else.”
I let out a relieved sigh at his words. My heart seemed to race, matching the speed of its beats.
Before I could respond, I heard his soft snoring.
I bit my lower lip and gently ran my fingers through his hair. I wish I could tell him how I truly feel.
But I won’t do it until I uncover the truth about who he really is.