Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Samantha’s heart could not stop beating violently even though she had already put forth that question. She did not know whether Timothy would tell her the truth.

She really did not know how to face him anymore if he denied it.

Timothy looked at her calmly for a few seconds, then shifted his attention from her tense expression to her unconsciously-clenched hands. Rather than answering right away, he reached out to take her hand and loosened her clenched fingers one by one to avoid her getting hurt.

He then opened his lips and answered, “I do.”

‘I do…’

That simple two-worded answer eased Samantha’s heart slightly.

At least he did not show any intention of lying to her.

“Then… Then why didn’t you tell me about her before?” Samantha asked. Her dark pupils stared intently at the man’s face to ensure that not even the smallest expression could escape her attention.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to see through his emotions because of the distant look in his eyes and an indifferent expression on his face.

The man opened his lips and answered concisely. “There’s no need to.”

That answer caused Samantha’s heartbeat to quicken once more as her heart leapt right up to her throat.

What did he mean by ‘there’s no need to’?

Was his relationship with Harmony so insignificant that there was no need to introduce them, or was their relationship so meaningful that he did not want to tell her about it?

Both those possibilities were worlds apart from each other.

“Timothy, you…” Samantha unconsciously began asking.

Before she could finish speaking, Timothy’s low and deep voice interrupted her at once. “What is it you really want to ask, Sammy? Just ask.”

Samantha had to admit that Timothy had super sharp perception. He could still notice that something was off even though she had hidden her emotions.

Truth be told, going around in circles was not something that anyone wanted. It was best for her to be frank about it since he could already see through her.

However, Samantha pursed her lips slightly and prefaced her question by saying, “You have to tell me the truth.”

Timothy patted her head lightly with his palm and answered huskily, “Of course.”

Samantha took a breath and asked her question in one go. “Aside from being friends, is there anything else going on between you and Harmony?”

After a pause, she solemnly added a few more words. “I’m talking about the kind of relationship…between a man and a woman…”

Timothy listened quietly to what she said and smirked slightly, as if he was amused. “My answer is the same, Mrs. Barker. I’m a married man.”

That was the same direct answer he used regarding the time the beautiful woman came up and struck a conversation with him some time ago.

Samantha accepted it at the time, but she was far from satisfied in the present scenario.

“I want a clear and unequivocal answer, Timothy.” Samantha stared at Timothy stubbornly. “Now answer me: yes or no!”

Seeing the seriousness in Samantha’s eyes and her almost imperceptible anxiety, Timothy’s little smile sank and there was a serious glow in his black eyes. He stared at her deeply and answered in no uncertain terms, “No.”

Samantha looked up at him and asked again, “Are you sure?”

Timothy answered again in a firm tone, “No.”

Samantha finally believed that Timothy was telling the truth. He was the one taking the lead in the marriage, and if he really liked Harmony so much and wanted Harmony to replace her, he did not have to put on such a charade in front of her at all. He would have felt that it was beneath him to even lie about it.

While Samantha was still deep in thought, her body felt light all of a sudden and she gasped before snapping back to her senses.

Realizing that Timothy had lifted her up, she looked at him in surprise and asked, “What are you doing, Timothy?”

He lowered his gaze at her but did not say a word. Instead, he took large strides towards the side of the big bed before throwing her onto the soft mattress.

Before Samantha could react, his tall body had already covered her and confined her body firmly under his.

“Timo— Tthgnnh…”

He had planted his lips on hers and gave her a deep kiss.

Sometime later, he finally let go of her after she was almost out of breath. There was even a charming little grin when he broke the kiss.

Samantha panted as her moist eyes stared at him.

He pressed his forehead lightly against hers and there was a surge of charisma in his dark eyes. He opened his lips and spoke in a voice that was hoarse yet pleasantly magnetic, “Seems like I’ve made you overthink because I’ve been too busy recently.

“Since you have your doubts about me, I have no choice but to use my body to show you that you’re the only woman I want.”

As soon as he said that, he gave her another firm and unbridled kiss…

…

The next day, Samantha strained to lift her eyelids after her alarm had rang five times.

She stared at the white ceiling above and was in a daze for a full five minutes before her consciousness came back little by little.

As she tried propping her body up, her arms felt limp halfway through and she collapsed right back.

Timothy was the beasts of beasts…

Even if she still had a tiny sliver of doubt about Timothy’s words the previous night, that doubt had disappeared completely and she now believed him a hundred percent.

His ravenousness had thoroughly convinced her that he was not having any affairs.

Since she had to go to work that day, she eventually gritted her teeth and got out of bed. Her legs were shaking as she walked to the bathroom, and it was not until she took a hot bath that her entire body felt a bit at ease.

After coming out of the bathroom, she changed into office attire and grabbed her bag before heading downstairs.

Aunt Julia saw her and smiled. “Good morning, Mrs. Barker. Breakfast is—”

It was already getting late and Samantha did not want to be tardy after only starting work at the television station for a couple of days. She immediately interrupted and said, “I’d have to skip breakfast today, Aunt Julia. I have to go or else I’ll be late. I’ll go to the station and eat once I’m there.”

Aunt Julia swiftly grasped her and said, “That won’t do. You have to eat today’s breakfast.”

“Huh? But Aunt Julia, I’m really running late…”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Barker knew this would happen so he told me to pack it up after he was done preparing it. You can just take it and go. The driver is already waiting outside too, you won’t be late.”

Did Timothy personally prepare breakfast for her?

Aunt Julia handed over the insulated lunch box to Samantha. “Make sure to hold it tightly. Mr. Barker woke up early this morning to prepare it for you. Alright then, have a nice day at work.”

Samantha felt all warm and fuzzy as she carried the insulated lunch box and got in the car.

She could finally breathe a sigh of relief after Timothy’s recent actions.

Old Madam Barker seemed to be correct—it was all a relentless, one-sided affair from Harmony.

Samantha had nothing to fear as long as she was in Timothy’s heart. They went through a lot just to have a fresh start and their relationship was finally on the right track. She would not let anyone or anything destroy their marriage.

When the car arrived at the entrance of Lychee TV, she got out of the car and walked in.

As soon as Samantha entered the elevator, someone followed her in from behind. Samantha raised her eyes and happened to see Harmony’s pure and innocent-looking face..