"Absence makes the heart grow fonder, how could I possibly lose my touch?" Landon thought.

Amelia blinked, taking a second to process before her cheeks turned red. "What are you even saying?"

"Did I lose my edge?" Landon asked seriously, his gaze intense as he looked her in the eyes.

His eyes burned with passion, his breath coming heavy. He’s always been so competitive.

Amelia couldn’t help but laugh, hooking her arms around his neck and leaning in close. "You’re as amazing as ever."

His lips crashed down on hers again, fierce and passionate.

Amelia felt like she was about to go crazy. "Honey, stop, stop… please…"

"You don’t like it?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

"I do, but… pace yourself, okay?" she whispered, a playful note in her voice.

Today felt as thrilling as a secret affair, and she worried he might wear himself out, leaving him with no energy to face the Montgomery family’s pack of predators when he got back.

"It’s all yours–no need to hold back," Landon chuckled softly. "You said you wanted the unlimited plan, remember?"

"Huh? Did I?" Amelia’s face turned bright red with embarrassment.

'Did I really say something like that? No way, absolutely not!' she thought frantically.

"Want me to help you remember?" Landon whispered, gently nibbling on her earlobe.

Her memories came rushing back. It was that night when she’d dreamed about being tormented by Zachary in her past life, and Landon had carried her into bed to comfort her.

That was also the night he took away the little bed from the room, officially starting the chapter of them truly sharing a bed as a couple.

Back then, she’d been so shy… Thinking about it now, they really had been nothing but respectful – never letting things get out of hand. They were just a pair of clueless kids back then.

"Looks like you remember now," Landon teased, giving her cheek a gentle pinch. "So, are you going all in or not?"

"All in!" Amelia giggled.

After two whole years, she was finally giving him the green light.

Honestly, they didn’t need all this ceremony. If she hadn’t been worried about him having to keep it together around the Montgomery family, she would’ve jumped him a long time ago.

"Honey, I’m yours–only yours, now and always…" Landon breathed, his voice burning with passion.

Amelia was swept away by his intensity–there was no way she could say no to him.

When they finally woke up, the sky was already dark.

Amelia quickly checked the time. "Honey, it’s already past seven–you need to get back!"

"No," Landon pulled her tightly into his arms, holding her close against his body.

Chapter 325

The two of them curled up together, clinging to each other like a pair of bent shrimp.

He couldn’t get enough of her warmth, the scent of her skin… Honestly, he just didn’t want to move an inch.

There was nothing more comforting for a married couple than being close like this.

Amelia was just as reluctant to let go.

But reality wouldn’t let them be reckless. She still gently pushed him away. "We’ve got all the time in the world–there’s no need to rush."

"Alright," Landon replied.

Landon finally released her and got up.

The room was dark, and the moonlight spilling through the window took on a shape of its own.

What a perfect night… such a pity to let it slip by.

"Night Owl still isn’t back yet–she wouldn’t have dozed off in the hotel lobby, would she?" Amelia said anxiously.

With Night Owl’s habit of being able to sleep anywhere, anytime, what if she ran into some creep?

She hurriedly called Night Owl’s phone, but it was Aiden who picked up. "She’s fine–just fell asleep."

"Why is it you?" Amelia asked, confused.

A few hours ago, Night Owl was chilling in the hotel lobby, sipping on her coffee.

It was one of those rare lazy moments–she felt totally relaxed, body and mind.

The warm afternoon sunlight made her eyelids grow heavy.

She’d always been the type to crash whenever she got sleepy, and scroll through her phone the moment she woke up.

So she just tugged her bucket hat down over her face and drifted right off.

When she finally woke up, Aiden was sitting across from her, and on the table was a familiar thermos.

It was freshly made apple pie again.

"You’re awake?" Aiden asked with a gentle, soft smile, opening the thermos. "You said you were getting sick of it yesterday, so I added some fruit today. Try it!"

The base was a soup made from pears and loquats, and the beautiful color made it look even more appetizing.

Night Owl couldn’t help but take a spoonful. "Delicious!"

Aiden grinned from ear to ear, looking just like a kid who’d been praised by his teacher.

Night Owl felt momentarily dazzled and frowned, setting her spoon down.

"Your smile is blinding," she said.

Night Owl was speechless.

She closed the thermos and slid it back to him. "Don’t bring me apple pie again, okay?"

Chapter 325

"What’s wrong?" Aiden asked, confused.

"I don’t want any apple pie," she replied.

"Then what do you like?" he asked.

"I don’t like anything," she said flatly.

Aiden was lost for words.

Aiden sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Be good, don’t make a fuss."

"What’s with that tone?" Night Owl shot back, rubbing her arms.

That was way too mushy–it gave her goosebumps.

'Who even is he to me, talking to me like that?' she thought.

"You need to take better care of yourself. I checked with Mr. Mitchell, and he said apple pie is just what you need," Aiden said softly, his gaze filled with that gentle, doting look only a lover could give.

Night Owl paused, then turned to stare out the window, a dull, lingering ache welling up in her heart.

There was a time when Dawson used to calm her down whenever she threw a tantrum.

His sharp, chiseled features–like they were carved from stone–had only ever shown gentleness to her.

"Night Owl, you need to live your life well. That’s the only way you can make it up to him," Aiden said softly.

"Enough!" Night Owl totally lost it–her thin body shaking, tears streaming down her pale face. "Don’t you dare bring him up! You don’t have the right to even say his name!"

Aiden didn’t say a word, just looked at her with aching tenderness in his eyes.

She stood while he sat. Looking up at someone usually felt humbling, but with him, it was nothing but calm and natural.

She was crying, trembling, and he just sat there quietly, doing nothing but watching her.

Some wounds, some pains, are like tall thresholds–you have to step over them yourself.

It was the knot in her heart, and also the threshold he had to cross for their love.

Whether she could ever get over it or not–it was all up to her.

"Aiden, you jerk!" Night Owl slumped down, covering her face as she sobbed.

'Why does he always have to bring up Dawson?' she thought.

'Can’t I just remember him quietly on my own? Why does he have to make it so obvious to everyone?'

'How could he be so heartless?'

"Yeah, I’m a jerk. But how about letting me be his stand-in, okay?" Aiden scooted over and sat down beside her.

He tried to comfort her as he handed her a tissue.

Night Owl swatted at him with the tissue. "A stand-in? Are you crazy or something?"

"Yeah, I’m lovesick," Aiden replied.

Chapter 325

"Night Owl, I just want to take care of you. Even if I have to be his substitute, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as it brings you comfort, you can act however you want," Aiden said softly.

His love was so self-effacing, yet he was such a proud man.

The contrast was so jarring, Night Owl was completely thrown off.

After holding it in for a while, she finally blurted out, "Were you like this when you were after Amelia?"

"No," Aiden said, shaking his head with a smile. "Back then, I was insanely possessive."

'Back then? What about now?' Night Owl wondered.

'So now he doesn’t feel possessive at all?' she thought, a little skeptical.

"Night Owl, you’ve really made me think. True love isn’t about owning someone–it’s about being there for them, caring for them, and being willing to become anyone they need," Aiden said softly.

Night Owl was speechless.

"Back then, I was just a dumb kid. Sandra Edwards totally messed with my head on purpose, and I fell for it. I thought that was love at least, until I met you…" Aiden said softly.

He reached out and gently wiped away her tears.

"Night Owl, you’re my salvation," he whispered.

Night Owl froze.

She might be alive in this world, but her heart was trapped in hell.

She couldn’t even save herself–how could she ever save someone else?

"I’m not going to force you to do anything. Let’s just keep hanging out like this–you keep remembering him, and I’ll just keep staying by your side," Aiden said with a gentle smile. He really wasn’t asking for much at all.

His request was so humble that Night Owl just couldn’t say no anymore.

She clutched at her chest, her heart a tangled ball of yarn–she had no idea how to deal with all those messy emotions inside.

In the end, the rollercoaster of her feelings was just too much, and she fainted right into his arms.