George hesitated, his concern evident. “But your eyes… The dark room is completely sealed off. You won’t be able to see a thing in there.” Gavin’s expression remained calm, his voice steady. “It doesn’t matter.” He closed his eyes briefly, his tone softening. “She’ll be scared if she’s left alone.” Realizing further protests would be futile, George said nothing more. Instead, he silently marveled at the change in his usually composed boss. It was clear now—President Gavin cared deeply for Madam Liza . Why else would he willingly venture into the dark room, a place where his own vulnerability would be exposed? Inside the pitch-black room, Liza sat comfortably, chatting with her Albert over the phone while keeping an eye on the time. She was calculating how long it would take for the subtle poison she’d administered to Audrey to begin taking effect. Suddenly, a faint beam of light pierced the darkness, and a familiar voice called out, deep and steady. “Liza.” She froze in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. Was her mind playing tricks on her? Was she hallucinating? Gavin’s voice sounded so clear, but he was supposed to be in a meeting that would last for hours. “Liza, are you in there?” the voice repeated, more insistent this time. Before she could gather her thoughts to respond, the door creaked open, and Gavin stepped inside. For a moment, Liza stared at the silhouette illuminated by the faint light spilling into the room, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. Why is he here? she wondered. Doesn’t he know that darkness renders him unable to see? Gavin stood still, his expression tense as he scanned the room. When he didn’t hear a response, his breathing quickened. His voice, now edged with urgency, echoed through the darkened space. “Liza!” Realizing his growing anxiety, Liza quickly shook herself out of her daze and moved toward him. Her voice was gentle, trying to ease his worry. “I’m here. Don’t worry…” But before she could finish, he closed the distance between them in a heartbeat and pulled her into his arms. The sudden embrace left Liza momentarily stunned. She felt the warmth of his body against hers, the rapid rhythm of his heartbeat gradually slowing. His breath, hot against her neck, carried a mix of relief and reassurance. For a moment, she was too startled to react. His strong arms encircled her waist, holding her tightly as though she might vanish if he let go. Though the sensation was unfamiliar, Liza chose not to struggle. She shifted slightly, unsure of what to do, but didn’t attempt to free herself from his grasp. “Why did you come?” she asked softly, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and disbelief. “Did you really come here just for me?” Gavin had initially wanted to reprimand her, to ask why she’d allowed herself to be locked up by Lady Edna. In that moment, Gavin said nothing more. Just knowing that she was safe was enough to ease the tight grip of anxiety in his chest. Liza, however, felt a twinge of embarrassment. She could clearly sense the depth of his worry for her, but the truth was, her being in the dark room was part of a larger plan to deal with Audrey and her scheming ways. What she hadn’t anticipated was that Gavin would be so concerned, to the point of abandoning his responsibilities to check on her. For a few seconds, she was at a loss for words. Finally, she managed to stammer, “Weren’t you supposed to be in a meeting? Don’t tell me you left it halfway just to come here. You didn’t need to worry—I was fine. Lady Edna wouldn’t dare keep me locked up for long. She would’ve let me out before you even got back.” Her casual tone only deepened the storm in Gavin’s eyes. His voice grew firm, laced with irritation. “And what if my meeting had lasted all night? Liza, you’re my wife. If something happens to you, it’s my responsibility to make sure you’re safe. That’s not just a duty—it’s my choice.” Liza opened her mouth, wanting to remind him of the nature of their relationship. Weren’t they just partners in name? There was no need for them to act like a deeply devoted couple, always ready to protect and support each other. But as she glanced at his face, shadowed with genuine concern, she thought better of it. The words dissolved on her tongue. Instead, she curled her fingers slightly, grappling with an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her chest. For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, knowing that Gavin had prioritized her over his work filled her with a quiet sense of joy. Breaking the silence, she shifted the topic. “Gavin,” she said thoughtfully, “Audrey hurt herself just to frame me and get me out of her way. All for the sake of being with you. Is… is that what love is supposed to be?” Gavin let out a dry, humorless scoff. “No,” he replied firmly. “Then what is love?” she asked, her voice soft yet curious. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if searching for the right words. Slowly, his tense demeanor eased, and the warmth of her presence seemed to calm him. “I don’t claim to know exactly what love is,” he admitted, “but I know what it isn’t. Love isn’t about hurting yourself or others to get what you want. If I love someone, I’d make sure to take care of myself. Because I know that if I’m hurt, it would cause her pain.” He paused, his voice dropping to a gentler tone. “And if you love me, Liza, you’d protect yourself too. Because knowing you’re hurt would break my heart far more than any injury to myself ever could. Hurting yourself to earn love isn’t love—it’s selfishness masquerading as devotion.” As he spoke, his hand reached up to lightly stroke her hair, his touch both reassuring and tender. “Whatever Audrey feels for me, it isn’t love,” he said with quiet certainty. “And I don’t love her. I never will.”