Note:

This chapter is dedicated to dear Kelly Goodwin. Thank you for gifting another castle to Emmelyn and Mars today. You're the best! xx

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Mars was surprised by his wife's kiss. He didn't dare to initiate any intimacy between them because he thought she was still very weak. But she started this first... so, obviously he wouldn't object.

Mars kissed Emmelyn back and vented his longing for her that had been building up for the past year.

His tongue slid inside her mouth through the small opening between her cute lips. He explored her mouth and twisted her tongue in a sweet duel, filled with lust.

Emmelyn grabbed Mars' arms and closed her eyes as she enjoyed their passionate kiss. She was happy to know his lips still tasted as sweet as ever.

She could feel the hint of wine in his mouth but it only added to the pleasure she got from the kiss. Emmelyn's heart fluttered when her hand traced Mars' exposed skin from his toned arms to his chiseled chest.

She could feel all his muscles on her palm, sculpted perfectly, exactly as she remembered. 

Mars opened his eyes and smiled sweetly at his wife. He missed this very much. Those cold nights that he spent on his own were only bearable because he kept thinking about the day he would finally see his wife again.

And now, that day was finally here. He felt overjoyed.

Emmelyn finally let go of her lips from his when her breath started panting. She realized her temperature had risen that the quilt in bed started to feel too warm for her. She was slowly feeling aroused.

Emmelyn decided to pull the blanket to the side. It was too hot in here. She looked at Mars and smiled shyly.

"Thank you for taking care of Harlow for both of us and for being there for her in my absence," Emmelyn whispered her gratitude with sincere words. "Our daughter doesn't lack anything. She is healthy and adorable... It shows that you are a great father."

Mars touched Emmelyn's hands with his and squeezed them gently. "Hey.. no need to thank me. I am her father. So, of course, I have to do my best to take care of Harlow. A father shouldn't be praised for merely doing his job."

Tears started forming again in the corners of Emmelyn's eyes. She was reminded of her mostly absent parents.

If only she was blessed with a father like her husband, maybe her life would have turned out very differently.

It's okay though, everything that happened in the past was what shaped her and her life in the present. She liked herself and her life now. She loved this man and her daughter. Life seemed to be going in a good direction for all of them.

So, Emmelyn would count her blessings and just be grateful that her daughter would have a better life than her.

Harlow would enjoy the love and care of both parents who doted on her and she would grow up to be the crown princess of an empire, not just the youngest princess from a small and insignificant kingdom.

"Still.. credit must be given where credit is due," Emmelyn said again. She cleared her throat and looked down shyly when she noticed his panting breath and a bulge was showing from Mars' underpants.

Now, she felt bad about kissing him. She should have known that for a man who had not had sex for a very long time, the stimulation she gave him earlier was enough to instantly light his fire. 

Wait... he did really practice abstinence while Emmelyn was not around, right?

She raised her face and looked him in the eye again. Then, she asked her question in the most serious tone. "Have you ever slept with anyone after I was gone?"

She didn't want to just assume that Mars didn't sleep with anyone throughout the past year. He did think Emmelyn died. So, maybe he sought comfort from another woman during his time of mourning?

Some men could do something like that. And, it was justified since the man didn't cheat on his wife because the wife was already dead. So, Emmelyn had prepared her heart to receive this reality if Mars really had slept with another woman in her absence.

It was her fault that she made him think she was dead.

"You mean... when I thought you were dead?" Mars asked back, looking at Emmelyn deeply. The woman nodded. Mars asked again. "Do you really want to know?"

BAM

Emmelyn's heart skipped a beat when she heard this question uttered. Why did she want to know? This would be like opening a can of worm, wouldn't it? Once she found out the truth, her perception of her husband might change.

What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her, right? So, wouldn't it be better if she just forgot about it and didn't dwell on the issue?

They could start over their lives together. She knew he loved her so deeply. And even if he did sleep with anyone in the past, because he thought she was dead, he was not to blame.

Both she and Mars had their mistakes and she shouldn't blame him solely for everything bad that happened while they were separated.

That's right. Emmelyn should just keep the question to herself. She wouldn't feel hurt if she didn't know if he did sleep with another woman. She wouldn't feel compelled to investigate further and find out who was that woman.

However, instead of keeping her mouth shut, Emmelyn heard herself ask him the question, "So, you did sleep with someone?"

Her voice sounded bitter as she was fighting back tears. She pursed her lips and looked at him with raging hatred. "Please tell me it's not Ellena...."

Mars immediately realized Emmelyn had misunderstood. He cupped her cheeks and shook his head in disgust. "Gosh... no. Of course, not!"

Emmelyn felt slightly relieved. But her chest was still heaving up and down in rage. Yes, she knew she had no right to be angry...

But she couldn't control her emotion. She really wanted to know who was that other woman, so she could beat her ass.

"Then, who is she???" she demanded an answer. All her resolve to forget about this issue flew out the window. She grabbed his arms and shook him. "Who did you sleep with??"

Mars cleared his throat and smiled broadly. "Well, you asked me if I slept with anyone after you were gone. I did, but you immediately have the wrong idea. I did not have sex with anyone. I was practicing abstinence because I couldn't imagine being intimate with a person I don't love. And I only love you."

"Huh?" Emmelyn furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

Mars tilted his face toward Harlow who was sleeping soundly next to Emmelyn. "I sometimes slept with Harlow when she was sick and feeling clingy. She could only sleep if I hugged her and sang her lullaby."

Emmelyn batted her eyes as realization dawned on her. She turned to look at Harlow and then back to Mars. "Ahhhh!! You're teasing me! That is NOT FUNNY!"

She hit him on the chest with her small hands. Mars chuckled and hugged her tightly. He did tease her and he felt so warm inside when he saw how jealous Emmelyn became when she thought he slept with another woman during her absence.

No, Mars would never become intimate with anyone but his wife.. She was his first, his one and only, and would definitely be his last.

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