"But after three months, Autumn Shelby still hadn’t returned. The Shelby Family asked me to give them more time, but I ignored them and publicly announced the cancellation of our engagement."

After Clara listened intently, she found it a little strange and asked curiously, "So, didn’t Autumn Shelby contact you at all during that period?"

"No."

"Not even once?"

"No. We had no contact whatsoever."

Clara pondered for a moment before speaking again. "That’s a little strange, then. Pre-wedding jitters is about being afraid of getting married, not the person you’re marrying. Why wouldn’t she ever contact you?"

Seth raised an eyebrow and looked at her, amused. "That’s what you’re focused on?"

Clara felt a little embarrassed. She looked down and mumbled, "Just curious."

Seth smiled, then his expression turned serious. "All of that is my past with Autumn Shelby. Now, I have no relationship with her, and I never will again. Since you’re my wife, I will be absolutely faithful to you in this marriage.

Even if our marriage has no emotional foundation, we can work to develop one. And..."

He paused abruptly. He had wanted to say, ’And I think I’m already developing feelings for you,’ but then thought it might be a little too direct to just blurt it out.

’He’d never said anything like this to a woman before. He could be domineering and declare, "You’re my woman, and you are mine," or he could forcefully kiss and claim her. But words like these... he just couldn’t bring himself to say them.’

When Clara saw him suddenly stop, she instinctively asked, "And...?"

"...And... we have a lifetime." Seth faltered, the words on the tip of his tongue changing into that instead.

Clara blinked. From what she’d overheard between him and Autumn Shelby, combined with his current attitude and the things he’d just said, she could tell Seth likely had no lingering feelings for his ex. And yet, she couldn’t resist. Timidly, she asked:

"Is that right? But someone once told me you and Autumn Shelby were deeply in love, that you even bought this apartment specifically for her. Just because you won’t have a relationship with her again doesn’t mean she’s not in your heart anymore. Are you... sure you’re completely over her?"

"You don’t believe me?"

"I... of course I don’t!" Clara said, being deliberately contrary. ’She didn’t even know why she was doing it. Deep down, she already believed him, but she said the opposite, as if she was hoping for something more.’

"You don’t believe me? Was everything I just said a waste of breath?" Seeing her disbelief, Seth started to get flustered.

The more flustered he got, the more stubborn Clara became. "Who... who knows if you’re lying to me?"

"But you overheard my conversation with Autumn Shelby, didn’t you? Even if you think I’m lying to your face now, I didn’t know you were outside then. Are you saying what I told her was also a lie meant to trick you?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Clara pursed her lips and mumbled under her breath, "Who knows... maybe you knew I was there the whole time and just said all that for my benefit..."

Before the words were out of her mouth, a hand gripped her chin and jerked her head up. Forced to look at him, her vision was filled with Seth’s handsome, exasperated face.

"You frustrating woman, are you trying to drive me mad? Right now, my heart and mind are completely filled with you. Where would I have any room left for someone else?"