Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 24436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
"If you want to know what my soft spot is, I'll need to see your face, though."
"What for?" Her voice came out muffled, with her hands still acting as a shield.
"Just because."
Ryu pulled her hands down as he spoke, and since she was no match for his strength—-
Oh.
Her gaze collided with his, and her oh-so-stupid heart raced and ached at the same time.
How could Ryu smile at her so gently...even when he had another woman whom he called his darling?
"Care to guess what my soft spot is?" her husband suddenly asked.
"I...can't think of any."
"And if I said it was you?"
Summerine fought against the urge to clutch her chest, which had tightened to the point of pain.
"You don't believe me?"
"Should I?"
"How about I tell you something else?"
Her forehead creased.
"And it's something I've never told anyone before."
Oh my gosh.
Was he going to tell her about his other job? Or maybe his other woman? Or maybe—-
"You see...it's rare that I would need an outlet of any kind."
—-something else?
"But if I were to need one—-"
Summerine held her breath without knowing why.
"There are certain types of sports that immediately come to mind."
Summerine didn't see that coming at all. "W-What kind of sports?"
"The kind—-"
The kind...what?
"That—-"
That...what?
"You're not likely to play, unfortunately."
Next!
I'M NOT DESPERATE, okay?
(Yes. You are.)
I only want to explore my options.
(And those options just happen to be the top sports rich men play?)
Yes!
(Again: desperate.)
Summerine decided it was time to put Inner Troll back where it belonged and start practicing her swing.
Thank heavens for Billie.
The younger girl had been completely supportive when Summerine awkwardly asked for her help in keeping her plans a secret. I want to surprise my husband by learning how to play his favorite sports.
All it had taken was one quick call, and Summerine soon found herself visiting a driving range for the first time, and with her own bag of expensive golf clubs to boot.
Billie gave her an encouraging smile. "You can do it."
Summerine randomly selected a club from the bag—-
"Uh, not that."
"No, not that either."
"Um—-"
Billie took Summerine's third choice out of her hand and replaced it with...whoa.
Summerine nearly dropped the club in her surprise.
Who knew golf clubs could be this heavy?
Billie stepped back and gave her a thumbs-up. "Jia you!"
Summerine wrapped her fingers experimentally around the club to test her grip.
Club. Ball. Swing.
It should be easy.
Right?
She took a deep breath. Rotated her shoulders the way other golfers did. And then she drew her club back—-
Wrong!
Summerine whirled around in dismay the moment she heard a man yell in pain behind her and Billie hurriedly calling the staff for help.
Oh...dear.
Golf might not be for her, but...
SUMMERINE JOINED THE queue for the beginner's slope in the indoor ski park. Everyone else in line was about half her height, but that was totally fine. It was all about finishing well and not where one started.
Her heart started pounding as she watched one kid after another disappear from view. A part of her was just waiting for someone to shout for help (and give her an excuse to back out), but all she heard was the line attendant shouting, "Next!"
I can do this.
(No. You can't.)
Can't you be supportive for once?
(You're about to break your own neck, and you want me to support that?)
I'm not going to break my neck!
(You're afraid of heights.)
I can get past that!
(You're afraid of speed.)
I can get past that, too!
(And now you want to face both in one go?)
Watch me.
Summerine's turn finally came up.
(Just cross this one out and move on to the next sport.)
She stared down at the manmade slope before her.
"Are you going or not?" the line attendant asked impatiently.
Summerine took a deep breath...and stepped back.
Skiing
Sailing
Horseback riding
Polo
Scuba diving
Racecar driving
Skydiving
A week had already passed, and with Ryu having already called ahead to let her know that he was flying back the next day, there was only one thing left to do.
Mon Coeur
I'M SORRY, RYU.
I know this is unfair to you.
But I'd like a divorce.
The words sounded good in her mind.
Sincere even.
But clear.
And so she took a deep breath and turned to face the full-length mirror in her walk-in closet—-
"Summerine?"
—-only to have Ryu's velvety voice cut into her thoughts, and she ended up jumping back in shock instead.
"Do you need more time to prepare?"
"Uh, n-no. I'm g-good."
She grabbed her purse from the dresser and nearly tripped in her hurry to get to the door. Old habits died hard, and there was still that child in her who feared being sent to her room without dinner. Making her parents late for this party or that was unforgivable in their book, no matter the reason.
Summerine rushed out of her bedroom and barreled straight into her husband's impossibly hard chest.
"Careful."
The feel of his fingers cupping her elbows was more than enough to set her entire body on fire.
"Are you alright?"
Summerine managed a nod, not trusting herself yet to speak.