Zion had managed to snag a rare trip back home. As soon as Lia hung up the phone, she started packing up.


    Half-asleep, Be mumbled encouragement from the bed. "Make sure you finish what you started. Don''t act like a fake couple."All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Lia''s cheeks turned bright red. "Alright. I know. Zion''s finally back, so I''m definitely sealing the deal. Go back to sleep, will you? I''m heading out."


    Lia lived in her own apartment, and that was where Zion was meeting her. When they saw each other, there were no warm hugs or lingering embraces-it all felt surprisingly nd.


    Lia headed straight to the kitchen. "I''ll whip up ate-night snack. You''ve got an early start tomorrow, right?"


    Zion leaned against the counter, watching her move around, though his mind seemed elsewhere. "Yeah... Thanks for this."


    Without turning around, Lia smiled. "Thanks? It''s just a snack. We''re married now, so stop being so formal."


    While Zion ate, Lia slipped into the bedroom, rummaged through his jacket, and found his wallet inside. Recalling Be''s words, she secretly opened it-and, as expected, there was a photo tucked inside.


    Strangely, she didn''t feel hurt or angry. There wasn''t even a flicker of a desire to confront him. She calmly put the wallet back where she found it andy on the bed.


    She heard him finish eating, clean up, and showering from the other room. Eventually, he joined her, settling into the bed beside her.


    Lia rolled over and teasingly wrapped her arms around him. "So, does it mean that we''re not even going to have sex if we''re not going to want kids?"


    Zion stiffened momentarily before leaning in to kiss her forehead. Heughed softly. "I was just worried about you, that''s all. And... we didn''t exactly n for it. What if you got pregnant? I wouldn''t be here to take care of you. It wouldn''t be fair." Lia''s expression turned serious. "If none of that was an issue, would you even have the desire to have sex with me?"


    Zion hesitated. He looked a little uneasy. "Of course..."


    Summoning her courage, Lia


    grabbed his hand and ced it on


    her chest Ive been to the


    el.nét


    and they confirmed that there''s nothing wrong with me in that regard. I even bought condoms. Now you have no excuse to say no."


    Zion instinctively pulled his hand back. How could Lia not understand what that reaction meant?


    She quickly gave herself an out. "I know you''re tired. Just get some sleep. I was asleep at Be''s ce when you called me home. I''m exhausted."


    She even let out a theatrical yawn for effect as she spoke.


    Turning away from him, Lia opened


    her eyes, her gaze hollow. She couldn''t wrap her head around it. She questioned why he had married her if he didn''t even like her. They weren''t really living as husband and wife. What kind of future was that?


    She could feel it. There was no deep connection between them. They coexisted without conflict, able to share a home and even asional jokes. But true intimacy seemed out of reach. Someday, they might cross that line out of sheer biological need. But what would it matter by then?


    Suddenly, Zion wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I''m sorry... I just got nervous. You''re so delicate, and I don''t want to hurt you."


    Everything he said sounded like an excuse now, but Lia didn''t call him out. Instead, she leaned into him.


    "You''re just saying that I''m short, aren''t you? I''m petite, while you''re tall and strong. And you''re worried I can''t handle it? Fine. Just keep holding back. Let''s see you do that for the rest of your life."


    Zion nuzzled her ear, chuckling. "Not


    at all. I think you''re perfect. I like that you''re soft and delicate. Why do you think I picked you in the first ce? If I wanted someone tall, I''d have gone for that. But you, at just over five feet two inches? That''s an ideal height."