Reclaiming Her Heart

It was autumn now, just cool enough that a light blanket felt perfect-without it, one would certainly feel the chill.

The bedside lamp flickered twice before going dark completely. Now, only the glow from the tablet illuminated the room.

Ann had seen this film before, but the experience felt entirely different now. She couldn't help being aware of Paul beside her, their shoulders touching. In her peripheral vision, she could see his long fingers holding the tablet, blue veins subtly visible beneath his skin.

Suddenly, a piece of fruit appeared before her mouth.

Her eyes darted to his face in surprise.

Paul's expression remained neutral. "Not eating?" he asked.

She took the toothpick from him, not quite daring to let him feed her directly.

Paul selected another piece for himself. In the tablet's dim light, he examined the carefully carved rabbit shape. Nicely done, he thought, before eating it and returning his attention to the film.

As Ann was about to eat her piece, Paul asked abruptly, "Why did we get divorced?"

The fruit caught in her throat, triggering a coughing fit that brought tears to her eyes.

Paul turned, gently patting her back.

"Was I unfaithful?" he asked.

Would he have been? He wasn't entirely sure of his own character, but something told him that if he had married, he wouldn't have cheated.

Ann, still struggling to catch her breath, could only shake her head.

Paul narrowed his eyes. "Were you unfaithful?" His tone carried a slight edge.

Her head-shaking became more vigorous.

Neither had been unfaithful? Then why divorce?

His hand continued to rest on her back as he studied her profile. She had a gentle appearance, was attentive and perceptive-not the type who would betray someone's

trust.

If they hadn't crossed that particular line, perhaps reconciliation wasn't impossible.

"In that case," he said, "let's remarry. Enough of this nonsense."

"What?" Ann froze, wondering what could possibly be going through his mind.noveldrama

Paul's gaze returned to the tablet. "I looked in the mirror when I woke up. I'm not bad- looking, and I don't seem like a man who lacks money. You're kind. Did I have my accident because our divorce left me distracted? You're caring for me now out of some sense of responsibility toward an ex-husband, which shows your goodness. We should remarry a lifetime with you seems quite appealing."

Ann sat paralyzed, unsure how to respond.

Paul, even amnesic, disliked being ignored. "Why aren't you answering?"

"Mr. Adams, we were never divorced," she finally said.

"Then we're in a cooling-off period? I can withdraw the divorce petition immediately." "No, that's not it."

Paul's brow furrowed deeper. What did she mean?

He set the tablet down, extinguishing its light. Now only moonlight filtered through

the window, just enough to discern each other's expressions.

Ann's heart raced as his hand settled on her waist, those elegant fingers slowly moving downward.

Just as they neared a more intimate area, he stopped.

He asked, puzzled, "You didn't object even to this, yet you claim we're just friends?"

Ann was speechless. She'd learned that refusing him had consequences.

She fumbled for words as Paul withdrew his hand and picked up the tablet again.

Ann finally said, "Mr. Adams, I don't know how to explain. When you've recovered, you'll understand."

So there were other misunderstandings between them.

Paul searched his mind for reasons couples might separate. Beyond infidelity, what else? His lashes fluttered as another possibility occurred to him.

Could it be about their intimate life? Was that why she found it difficult to explain? He thought, 'Yes, that must be it.'