Chapter 127

Anastasia’s heart was pounding.
Wife…
It was such a simple word. They were legally married-husband and wife, on paper and in every sense. Yet, hearing him call her that, she felt as if something soft inside her chest had been struck, hard.
Harrison ended the call and looked down at her. She seemed dazed, almost as if tipsy, prompting him to ask, “What’s wrong?”
Nothing!” Anastasia snapped back to reality, cheeks flushing as she turned away in embarrassment.
All that over a single word—how ridiculous.
Harrison didn’t press. His gaze shifted to the bank card in her hand. “What made you think of giving me this all of a sudden?”
Anastasia had no intention of dragging him into the Sterling family mess. She mumbled, “It just popped into my head, that’s all.”
Harrison didn’t respond right away.
A salary card…
He owned plenty of bank cards-but never one that meant something like this.
When he said nothing for a long moment, Anastasia’s voice grew small. “Don’t you want it, honey?”
Disappointed, she began to pull the card back, but his hand caught hers. His deep, velvet voice rumbled above her. “I never said I didn’t want it.”
Anastasia’s face lit up with a bright smile.
“Oh, right-hubby, who was that on the phone just now?” she asked, trying to sound casual.
“A friend. Marcus Jackson.”
Marcus
The name made Anastasia’s eyes flicker.
Wasn’t Marcus his childhood friend-his closest brother in arms?
In her previous life, Mr. Jackson’s fate had left a deep impression on her.
If she remembered correctly, by this time, Marcus had already been poisoned- left crippled…
Back then, only she could save him. Maybe this time, too.
“Is that Mr. Jackson? I heard his leg-”
She didn’t finish. Harrison suddenly looked down at her, eyes narrowing. “How do you know about that, Ana?”
Anastasia froze, then realized at this point, Marcus’s poisoning was still a secret. No one outside should know.
He sounded casual enough, but there was a subtle intensity in his gaze—a quiet, pressing demand for an answer.
A bead of cold sweat slid down the back of her neck. She ducked her head, fumbling, “I… I have a friend in Riverton. The Jacksons reached out to them, that’s all
Whether Harrison believed her or not, he let it drop. He didn’t mention Marcus’s leg again just ruffled her hair and said, “Time for bed.”
Anastasia felt like she’d just been pardoned by the king. “Okay!”
She instinctively headed for her own room, but he caught her by the wrist.
“Where are you going?” Harrison asked.
“Back to my room,” she replied, blinking in confusion.
“I had your things moved.” His tone was matter-of-fact as he led her toward the
master bedroom. “From now on, you’re sleeping with me.”
Her eyes went wide. “S-Sleep with you?!”
He looked down at her intently. “You don’t want to, Ana?”
Sensing a faint, dangerous edge in his voice, Anastasia shook her head so fast her hair nearly whipped her face. “No—I mean, I do!”
Her cheeks burned.
The sharp lines of Harrison’s face softened, as if her answer pleased him.
Being pulled into the room, Anastasia felt awkward at first. Then she reminded herself—they’d already shared far more intimate moments. What was there to be nervous about? Besides, they were husband and wife. Sharing a room was natural.
With that thought, her nerves ebbed a little, though she couldn’t quite stop the wild, tangled thoughts spinning through her mind.
Catching her gaze, Harrison glanced back-and saw her flushed face had now turned pale.
His eyes darkened. “What are you thinking about, Ana?”
Anastasia snapped out of her daze, putting on a straight face. “Nothing!”
He watched her try to hide her embarrassment but didn’t call her out on it. “Be good. Go take a shower-I need to make a call.”
“Okay!”
Rubbing her tingling ears, Anastasia slipped into the bathroom.
By the time she finished and returned, Harrison had gone in for his own shower. She dove under the covers, leaving only her head peeking out, staring at the bathroom door. Her heart wouldn’t settle, and her thoughts were a mess-until her head felt like it might start smoking.
Finally, the door opened. Harrison walked out in a bathrobe, his nearly perfect figure—muscular and lean—making Anastasia’s cheeks flush hotter. She immediately looked away, unwilling to risk another glance.
He approached with steady, unhurried steps. Under the covers, her grip tightened
on the sheets.
Three more steps…
He was at the bed.
He got in-
“Sleep.”

Anastasia blinked, stunned.
All her nervous anticipation hung awkwardly in midair. Official source ıs.net
She looked over at the man lying beside her, unsure, searching his face.
Wait… Was that it? Was her husband… not up for it?
This was their first night sharing a bed!
“What’s wrong?” Harrison looked at her, propped up against the headboard, his expression calm.
Anastasia opened her mouth-and, before she could stop herself, blurted out, “Honey, are you… are you not feeling well?”
She tried to phrase it delicately, but the meaning was obvious.
Harrison’s eyes darkened dangerously as he fixed her with a look. “Ana, what did you just say?”
“I–”
Realizing she had stepped on a landmine, Anastasia tried to shrink into the covers, but it was no use.
And soon, she started to truly regret ever opening her mouth.