Chapter 43 I'll Be Responsible for You

Claire's POV

Colin looked at me with an impassive face, his deep eyes swirling with complex emotions.

I suddenly realized that with all my work, meeting clients and studying their information, he might misunderstand what I’ve just said.

"Colin, I didn't mean it like that!" I said, quickly trying to clarify. "I'd never betray our marriage. What I meant by deceiving you is... if one day you find out I'm not worthy of your kindness, what would you do?"

Colin looked at me for a long time, then let out a soft laugh. Without saying anything, he gently pulled me into his arms and stroked my long hair.

My cheek pressed against his solid chest; I could hear his strong heartbeat. This heartbeat gave me an enormous sense of security.

"Don't overthink it," he said in a husky voice. "Go to sleep."

I smiled, wrapped my arms around his waist, and gently closed my eyes. I slept especially well that night.

Colin's POV

I was accustomed to sleeping alone, so that night I hardly slept. My arm served as Claire's pillow, and I became her human cushion, careful not to move.

In the early morning, I woke up groggy and found the human girl in an odd sleeping position, wrapped around me like an octopus, her slender, fair leg over my waist, her hands around my neck, even grinding her teeth in her sleep.

Her sleeping posture wasn't particularly graceful, but it was adorable and genuine. I curved the corners of my mouth upwards, realizing I was smiling, and then quickly fell silent again.

Not wanting to disturb Claire's sweet dreams, I gently turned her over to the other side and then carefully got out of bed to make breakfast.

A little while later, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching; it was Claire, in her pajamas and barefoot, running out.

"Awake already?" I came out of the kitchen with an apron on, "I saw you sleeping so soundly I didn't call you. Go wash your face and come eat."

She looked at the breakfast on the table, a simple meal of boiled eggs, milk, and bread—but showed an appreciative smile, "Compared to that burnt mess last time, you've improved a lot. Colin, you learn quickly."

I took Claire's compliment to heart.

"Right, there's something I need to tell you." Midway through the meal, Claire suddenly remembered, "I have a business trip tomorrow and I might be gone for four or five days, take good care of yourself."

"A business trip?" My expression remained neutral as I spread butter on the toast, "Where to?"

"Rock pack."

My hand, spreading the butter, suddenly stopped, a shadow of emotion passing through my eyes, quickly hidden away.

"Your company is doing business in Rock pack? I've heard it’s rare for that small town to deal with outsiders."

We rarely interact with humans, and it has only been in recent years that for the sake of advancing the economic industry of Rock pack, that we started trading, making Rock pack quite wealthy. Now, Rock pack's diamonds are very popular in the jewelry market.

"Mhm." she nodded, "The leaders gave me a mission to develop the market in Rock pack. If I succeed, they'll promote me to sales manager ahead of schedule!"

"Actually, I didn't really want to compete." Her eyes were clear, her voice soft, "But Peter, Sarah, and the others were too much to bear. To protect myself, I have to work hard to climb up. Plus, I did the math, if I become the sales manager, my income would be three times what it is now!"

She glanced at me, her smile charming, "Colin." Claire gently took my hand, smiling, "When I make money, let's get a mortgage for a bigger house, to live more comfortably! And I'll buy a cheap car for getting around, so you can drive it out whenever you don’t feel like taking the bus."

I looked up at Claire, her beautiful eyes brimming with dreams for the future.

A house? A car?

I've never lacked for these things; no matter how grand the house or how luxurious the car, they seemed as mundane to me as the butter and bread in my hands.

But this woman in front of me, full of thoughts of me, how many like her could there be in the world?

A knot formed in my brow, my heart felt heavy like a boulder, my breathing constrained.

"Fool." I patted her head, "Did you really think about supporting me?"

She paused, "Yeah, what about it?"

"It's always the man who supports the woman; where do you see a wife supporting her husband?"

"I've also been searching for a job lately and should have some leads soon," I spoke softly, "I won't let you carry everything on your own. This home belongs to both of us, and I'll take responsibility for you."

Claire looked at me for a long time, and then smiled sweetly, peeling another egg and placing it on my plate.