To Leland Burns, Winifred Dawson was like the moon. She hung high in the sky, visible yet forever out of reach. But when the moonlight bathed him, he felt for a moment that the moon belonged to him.
He embraced his “moon,” holding her close. As they pressed together, he could feel his heart pounding with joy.
Leland Burns couldn’t quite determine how much he loved Winifred Dawson. Each day he thought he couldn’t love her more than he did at that moment, but the next day proved him wrong. Day after day, year after year, sudden joy turned into an unshakeable deep love.
Leland Burns had always been skeptical about notions like “soulmates” or living for just one person. But now, he wanted Winifred Dawson by his side forever, even wanting to keep her close when he went to the bathroom.
Every morning, Leland Burns would go to the garden and pick the most beautiful flower, aside from roses, to place by Winifred Dawson’s bedside to make her happy. This had almost become a habit.
Leland Burns agreed to Winifred Dawson’s request and had most of the staff at Autumn Joy Estate leave, except for the cook and housekeeper. The butler stayed to manage household affairs and periodically arrange for cleaning.
Initially, so many servants were hired to take care of Winifred Dawson. Leland himself didn’t like seeing so many people around from morning till night. He preferred doing things himself-he could cook and do laundry-and he enjoyed taking care of Winifred Dawson. Living together without interruptions was a pleasure.
With fewer people around, Winifred Dawson felt more at ease.
After twenty days, Winifred Dawson’s hand was free from bandages. The doctor had done his best with the surgery; her hand would gradually regain flexibility for daily activities. However, it still looked ugly with red skin like a misshapen carrot.
“So ugly.”
“Not ugly.”
Winifred Dawson pouted unhappily. Leland Burns gently held her wrist; she was so thin there was hardly any flesh on it.
Leland Burns had somehow prepared nail polish and started doing her nails on the spot. His hands were as steady as a surgeon’s, and his aesthetic sense was excellent. It was a shame he didn’t run a nail salon.
The result was odd: beautiful nails on ugly fingers. Such pretty nails seemed wasted on such unattractive hands.
Leland Burns meticulously did Winifred Dawson’s nails while she watched him intently, amazed that he could do this.
“Does it look good now?”
With all ten nails done, Winifred Dawson raised her hand and nodded vigorously with an “Mm!”
Leland Burns usually handled work alone in his study. But now Winifred Dawson clung to him tightly. Once, while she napped, he sneaked into the study to handle important documents.
After nearly half an hour, he came out to find her sitting dazedly by the door. When he opened it, she nearly fell but he quickly caught her.
Important documents were kept in the study, accessible only by fingerprint lock. Unable to enter, Winifred Dawson waited quietly by the door for him to come out.
“Why are you here?”
Still in his arms, she turned carefully and said, “You told me to sleep and wait for you, but I couldn’t sleep. So I waited here quietly so you’d see me first when you came out.”
Such obedient behavior made Leland’s heart ache a little.
“I’m very happy…”
Winifred’s face brightened instantly but then Leland added, “But next time don’t sleep here; you’ll catch a cold.”
“Can I wait here without sleeping?”
“No need to wait; I’ll come find you first thing when I finish.”
Winifred obediently nodded without saying more.
But Leland knew she might forget next time and wait by the door again if she couldn’t find him.
Today it was half an hour; what if it was an hour or two next time?
Leland led her away as she glanced back at the fingerprint lock on the door.
Leland decided he needed to talk seriously with Winifred Dawson. He couldn’t be with her every moment despite wanting to; he had important work to do at the company where his assistant had already called multiple times about issues with Burkhart Group causing trouble recently.
He couldn’t take her to such places; the outside world was dangerous. Reaching his current position had made him many enemies; no one knew when danger might strike.