Chapter 231

“No need. Food tastes the same no matter who cooks it, and it’s all good. I’m just a bit hungry today, so I ate more than usual,” Nina did not want him to fuss over her so much. Putting too much focus on her was not good. The more effort one puts in, the deeper the cost might be.
“I’m tired, can I go rest now?” Nina asked.
“Mm,” Nash softly replied.
Nina finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurried upstairs. Tomorrow, she could go to the company and maybe she would not have to stay here anymore. After work, she could go home.
Back in the room, Nina relaxed, but unexpectedly, Nash followed right behind her.
Seeing the door open, Nina stepped back and asked, “Why are you coming in too?”
“This is the master bedroom, if I don’t come here, where else can I go?” Nash said matter-of-factly.
Nina said, “Then I’ll go to the guest room.”
She tried to leave, but Nash grabbed her hand, looking at her as he said, “Do you need to avoid me like this now? We’ve been together for so long, when have we ever slept in separate rooms?”
He felt that he and Nina had never changed. As long as they did not divorce, nothing would change. But Nina wanted to live separately from him, feeling that this was not going to work.
Nina’s instinctive response was to avoid him as she felt she could not engage in the typical activities of a married couple anymore. Even though they might share the same bed but emotionally and mentally, they were disconnected.
“Go rest,” Nash said lightly, “which side do you want to sleep on?”
Nina pursed her lips and compromised, “I’ll sleep on this side.”
This side by the door would give her more freedom to move. Nash agreed, “Okay.”
He checked the time, it was still early, so he turned on the TV. Nash walked past her to the other side of the bed and lay down on his side. Nina looked at him but did not move.
Nash said again, “What are you waiting for? Lie down.”
The TV was playing a romantic drama, the kind girls loved to watch.
Nina, being a girl, he thought she might enjoy it, so he restrained himself from changing the channel, wanting to watch it with her.
Not wanting to upset him, Nina climbed into bed.
As soon as she lay down, a hand wrapped around her neck, pulling her head onto his shoulder. Nash asked, “Is this okay?”
Nina was a bit taken aback by his gesture. When had he ever been so caring?
Nash adjusted himself, raising the pillow to let Nina lay in his arm, saying, “This should be comfortable for watching TV, right?”
He was not sure, so he asked. Nina leaned against him, her gaze fixed on the TV, softly responding.
With her answer, Nash maintained the position, saying, “Then go ahead and watch. If you get tired, just go to sleep, I’ll turn off the TV.”
Suddenly, the calm and peaceful atmosphere, reminiscent of a typical couple, made Nina feel somewhat uneasy. She had not even requested this, yet he initiated it. Nina preferred not to engage in extensive conversation with him, choosing instead to focus on watching TV.
Initially, she was not very invested, but as time passed, she began to empathize with the emotions of the TV characters. With her body becoming less tense, she naturally stopped worrying about what Nash might do.
Nash started to feel uncomfortable maintaining the same position for too long, so he shifted his body slowly, trying not to disturb her. He embraced her, tightening his grip slightly. Unfortunately, his hand accidentally brushed against her stomach. As he held her, Nash sensed that her body seemed slightly heavier.
“Have you gained weight recently?” Nash asked.
Nina did not feel any different. “No, not really,” she replied.
Nash’s hand gently stroked her stomach, questioning, “It seems like your stomach has gotten a bit bigger.”
Hearing this, Nina’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively removed his hand, which was resting on her abdomen.