[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603220ECDF1-577":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},577,19,"Chapter 19: \"You Were Planning This All Along.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The White Peaks were blanketed in heavy, blinding snow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For a Southerner like Violette Ellis, who held a deep-seated obsession with the sight of snow, the grandeur of the landscape never failed to leave her breathless. She had come here specifically to put distance between herself and Blake Pierce. After arriving in the snowy wonderland, the lingering, fragmented thoughts of Blake that had haunted her mind simply evaporated. *Blake who? Doesn't ring a bell.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She checked into the Park Hyatt immediately. That same evening, Violette went to experience the natural hot springs. As night fell and the lanterns were lit, the stone walls and wooden architecture amidst the silver-white snow looked like something ripped straight from a fairy tale.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Curiously, despite it being peak tourist season, the outdoor hot spring was completely empty.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While Violette was out, the Park Hyatt manager was personally delivering late-night snacks and fruit to their suite. After setting the tray down, he lingered by the table.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I heard Mrs. Griffin wanted to use the springs, so we’ve cleared out the outdoor area for your private use,\" the manager said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Will that inconvenience other guests?\" Roman Griffin asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Not at all, sir. It’s just a temporary closure of one section.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Much appreciated,\" Roman nodded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Griffin, our regional director is on his way. He was hoping to discuss the regional distribution rights with you. If you have a moment...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sales figures for V-Oasis VR were impossible to ignore. Given the sheer scale of the company, direct sales were becoming unmanageable. The moment they opened the doors to franchising, bids had flooded in like a snowstorm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m here to accompany my wife on vacation. I’m not interested in business,\" Roman said, his tone stalling for a beat. \"However, since he’s already on his way, I suppose I can spare thirty minutes. Think of it as having tea.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That would be wonderful!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">By the time Violette returned, the tea had only just been finished. On the Chinese-style tea table sat two bone china bowls, a pale celadon green that made the man sitting across from them look as calm and refined as polished jade.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You didn't go to the springs?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette was biting into an ice cream bar, her lips puffing out little clouds of frost as she spoke. She scanned the room and asked, \"Did you have a guest?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This trip didn't go to waste,\" Roman said. \"Thanks to you, I just closed a significant deal.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette turned to hang up her heavy winter coat, her teeth sinking into the ice cream as she mumbled, \"Business just walked right to your door?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Naturally.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman stood up to wash his hands, then reached over to take the ice cream from her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Eating ice cream in this weather? What kind of hobby is that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette’s teeth were chattering from the cold, yet a surge of warmth was rising through her body. She licked her dry lips. \"Everyone says you have to have a popsicle after a hot spring soak to really feel the experience. I just had to try it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her mood had clearly lifted, and the playful lilt in her voice made one’s heart sway. Roman’s eyes darkened, though his tone remained gentle. \"Don't force it if you can't finish it. You'll end up with a stomachache later.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It would be a shame to waste it,\" Violette countered. \"This is a local specialty—way richer than anything you can get in Deepwater.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">And certainly more substantial, too.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She ate the massive ice cream bar slowly, right under his watchful gaze. Roman held out his hand to her. She froze. \"Huh? You want some?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Didn't you say it would be a shame to waste it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But... I’ve already eaten from this.\" She tried to protest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman just looked at her, saying nothing. Violette stood there, feeling that heat rushing to her face again. She read the unspoken message in his expression: *We’ve shared everything else, what are you afraid of?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The remaining half of the ice cream belonged to Roman.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette ducked into the bathroom and splashed her face with cold water twice, but the heat blooming on her cheeks wouldn't fade. It had to be the heating in the North—it was just way too powerful. That was the excuse she was sticking to.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When she stepped out, the rest of the ice cream was gone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Was it any good?\" she asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman didn't actually like things with a heavy dairy base, but he replied, \"It was.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I told you, it’d be a waste to throw it out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was carrying her pajamas, brushing past him with a trail of faint perfume. Just as she was about to duck into the bedroom, Roman caught her from behind.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Time for bed?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s only nine...\" Violette thought. A man and a woman, fresh on their honeymoon—this was the perfect time for *other* things.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"There’s a midnight snack. Want some?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So he meant actual food, not that.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette turned her head, exposing the elegant, pale curve of her neck to him. He couldn't see her face, but judging by the crimson flush creeping up her ears, she knew her expression must be incredibly vivid.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His grip tightened, then released.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The night is still young,\" Roman said. \"We can eat first, then do the rest.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Because of that comment, a jolt went through Violette’s nerves, and she accidentally bit the inside of her cheek.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman Griffin was a man of his word.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While Violette ate her snack, he went into the master bath to shower. When it was her turn to freshen up, he was right there on the other side of the double vanity, grooming himself with a slow, meticulous precision that seemed unwilling to waste a single minute of the atmosphere.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Was he always like this?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette held a mouthful of mouthwash, thinking slowly. Or had she just been too shallow, focusing too little on him before? She caught a glimpse of him in the mirror, but he was already watching her. Their eyes met.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman reached out, took a tissue, and gently dabbed the corner of her mouth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If I didn't know you were rinsing, I’d think you were trying to imitate a little fish blowing bubbles.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The mouthful of mouthwash caught in her throat. She nearly swallowed it. Violette grabbed the edge of the vanity, coughing violently. She thought to herself: *I really didn't know him at all. Who knew he was the type to tell such childish jokes?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The coughs came in waves. Roman patted her back softly, his tone returning to its usual composure. \"My apologies. My fault.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette waved a hand, but when she looked up, her eyes were swimming with tears from the coughing fit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had just been choking, but to the man watching her, it looked like something else entirely. Roman reached out, his thumb swiping heavily across the corner of her eye. He moved closer, his deep, intense features reflected in her pupils. His other hand cupped her chin, tilting her head up until their noses brushed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman’s hand slid down, his thumb pressing against the seam of her lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Any more pressure and his finger would sink into the soft, yielding warmth of her mouth. He knew the taste of it all too well, and he didn't expect Violette—recklessly—to wrap her tongue around his fingertip, giving it a light, lingering suck.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The string in his heart finally snapped.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman pulled his hand away and swept her up into his arms, carrying her toward the bedroom.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Roman, we didn't bring any—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"There are some in the bag,\" he said, leaving no room for argument.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Violette looked up at him, biting his chin. \"You... you were planning this all along.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Yes.* And what if he was?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Their entire marriage had been something he’d planned for. He ignored the weak accusation, leaning down to kiss her forehead, then her eyes, then the tip of her nose. The few steps from the bathroom to the bedroom were just enough for him to press a kiss to every inch of her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The mattress dipped under their combined weight. He hovered over her, palms pressed into the mattress on either side of her head, leaning down slowly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A single wall lamp seemed determined to illuminate the night, acting like a nuisance standing between them. Roman abruptly reached out and extinguished the only light source. There were no city lights outside to break the dark, only the sound of snow dusting against the windowpane. As the light died, the world was swallowed by darkness.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman squinted, pausing for a few seconds as if searching for something.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, he leaned down and claimed the beauty mark resting at the base of her throat.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272917555]