"Lu Yuze..."
"Shuyin." He took her hand, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. "I know this started as a business arrangement. You needed me to help cure Yuyan, and I needed..."
He trailed off, realizing that what he'd needed then and what he needed now were two entirely different things.
She watched him, her expression carefully neutral. "When did it change for you?"
"When?" He considered the question, his gaze never leaving hers. "The moment you looked at Yuyan like she was your own daughter. The moment you did everything to protect her and me, even when you were dead on your feet, completely drained, but you still thought to reassure me first. That's when I knew this marriage would never be just a contract for me."
Shuyin remained still, her face betraying nothing, but her fingers curled around his, a small gesture that spoke volumes.
