Leland Burns urgently processed the discharge papers and brought Winifred Dawson back to “Autumn Joy Estate” for proper rest at home.
She continued to live in a daze every day, unable to remember things clearly or distinguish her current situation. Leland specifically instructed the household staff to keep an eye on Winifred, ensuring she didn’t get hurt and avoiding conversations that might reveal too much.
Though everything seemed meticulously planned, it was merely a thin veil over the hidden truths, easily pierced with the slightest touch.
Upon returning to Autumn Joy Estate, Winifred’s reaction was one of rejection. She kept asking Leland if they had moved.
“I remember we didn’t live here.”
It seemed Winifred only remembered their previous home.
“Our house is currently being renovated. We’ll return once it’s cleaned up.”
Winifred nodded. Her leg hadn’t fully healed, causing her to walk with a limp. Finding her pace too slow, Leland simply carried her inside.
Seeing so many people in the house, Winifred shrank into his arms, too scared to open her eyes.
Leland noticed her discomfort. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t like too many people. I just want to live with you without anyone disturbing us.”
“They won’t disturb us.” Leland glanced at the lined-up servants. Though there were many, the large house required a lot of daily work-cleaning, gardening, cooking, laundry, driving, security… The workload was immense and couldn’t be managed without sufficient staff.
“They will!” Winifred emphasized. Realizing she had raised her voice, she shrank back like a frightened mouse and whispered into Leland’s ear, “They will disturb us. What if they see us kissing? They can’t see that.”
Such childish behavior from Winifred was rare, and her closeness was even more unusual.
“Then kiss me now and see if they react.”
“No way.” Winifred pouted, wrapping her arms around Leland’s neck and pressing close to his chest to listen to his heartbeat. “Only in the room.”
His heartbeat suddenly quickened. Winifred looked up at his tense jawline and the faint veins on his neck, as if he was holding something back.
Winifred appeared confused. Suddenly, Leland quickened his pace from walking to running. The sound of the wind made her fearful of falling, so she clung tighter to him as if grasping a lifeline on the edge of a cliff.
Leland gently placed Winifred on the bed, careful not to touch her injured hand. He leaned in softly, their cheeks brushing against each other.
Considering her injuries, he refrained from going further. This was unlike him; previously, he would have prioritized his own pleasure without caring about her pain. He used to “discipline” Winifred during such moments to teach her lessons about crossing his boundaries.
Winifred seemed to enjoy his kisses. When he paused, she opened her eyes and looked at him innocently yet alluringly.
Leland quickly covered her eyes. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m afraid I can’t control myself.”
“Can’t control what?”
Winifred kept asking questions, whether genuinely curious or feigning ignorance. Leland continued to cover her eyes gently. Her lashes fluttered against his palm, tickling him.
Ironically, when Winifred didn’t want him near before, he insisted on touching her. Now that she sought closeness, he hesitated.
Perhaps he feared that too much intimacy might trigger memories she’d rather forget.
“Leland Burns, I want to have a baby with you. Are you worried our child will be as useless as me?”
“No, you’re still injured and can’t do those things now. Don’t overthink it; my reluctance isn’t because I find you dirty. You’re not dirty at all.” Leland paused. He truly wished for a child with Winifred.
Whenever they were close before, he couldn’t help but wonder how their child would look-more like him or like her?
But childbirth was painful and arduous; his delicate Miss couldn’t endure such suffering. If she truly wanted a child, perhaps they could consider surrogacy abroad…
…
During meals, Leland fed her with a spoon. After dinner and medication time passed by half an hour; after washing up carefully applied ointment to her fingers.
Perhaps due to the medication, Winifred soon began nodding off like a pecking chick beside the bed. Once done with the ointment and bandaging quickly finished up; Leland cradled the drowsy Winifred in his arms.
“Sleep now.”
“Mm.” She murmured sleepily, placing a hand on Leland’s firm waist and muttering dreamily: “You can’t leave me.”
Leland’s heart stirred; he always believed he loved Winifred more deeply than anyone else did-he couldn’t live without her-and now it seemed she couldn’t live without him either; this one-sided love had finally become mutual.
Leland made a promise: “I’ll never leave you unless you don’t want me anymore.”
The room filled with steady breathing sounds; Leland looked down only to find she had already fallen asleep with closed eyes.
Adjusting his position slightly so she could sleep more comfortably in his arms…
Time passed unknowingly until late at night when Winifred opened her eyes…