Falling for the Goddess

Willingly

In a quiet café, Sara Hart stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her gaze fixed on the scene outside the window.

Ella Duvall, sitting across from her, couldn't stop asking questions. "Sara, what happened last night? Did Adrian Blake drive you home? How do you even know him?"

Sara Hart glanced at her friend, now full of gossip, completely unlike the heartbroken girl from the previous night. "You're over it already?"

Ella Duvall waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, I figured it out. He's just a scumbag. I've got money, I've got looks—why should I waste my tears on someone like that? He's not worth it. But right now, I'm way more interested in your story."

"You know Adrian Blake? The Adrian Blake!?" Ella Duvall's eyes sparkled.

"Is it really that big of a deal?"

"Of course it is! Everyone in North Capital knows who he is—one of the hardest men to approach in all four major families. Some say he's cold and distant, while others..." Ella Duvall leaned in, lowering her voice. "Some say he doesn't like women."

Sara Hart chuckled softly. "Rumors like that are just gossip. You can't believe everything people say."

"So, you *do* know him well?" Ella Duvall wasn't letting the topic drop.

Sara Hart looked at her, her tone serious. "Tang Tang, what I'm about to say might shock you, but you're my best friend, and I don't want to keep it from you."

Seeing Sara Hart's expression, Ella Duvall dropped her teasing attitude and sat up straight.

"I'm married."

"What?"

Those two words hit Ella Duvall like a bolt of lightning, making her forget all about keeping her expression in check. She practically shouted, drawing curious glances from the other patrons in the café.

Lowering her voice, Ella Duvall said, "You're joking, right? How could you possibly be married? To who..."

Suddenly, Ella Duvall froze, her eyes widening as she stared at Sara Hart in disbelief. "It can't be... the person I'm thinking of?"

"Mm-hmm."

Ella Duvall was utterly speechless, needing a moment to process the bombshell. "Give me a second to digest this."

This was all too much to take in within one day.

"When did this happen?"

"About a month ago."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I wasn't planning to tell anyone, honestly. But since we ran into each other last night, there's no point in hiding it anymore." Sara Hart looked down, her dark, curled lashes fluttering slightly.

"Tang Tang, I didn't want to lie to you, but I need you to keep this a secret. I don't want anyone to know."

Ella Duvall, who had been bursting with questions, suddenly fell silent. Seeing the look on Sara Hart's face, she knew there had to be more to the story.

"Sara, I just need to ask you one thing. Did you do this willingly?"

Sara Hart's heart warmed at the concern in Ella Duvall's eyes. "Yes, I did."

If she hadn't wanted to, no one could have forced her. On the contrary, even if she knew it would be a dead end, she would still push forward. She had to—otherwise, she could never truly move on.

Ella Duvall hesitated for a moment. "And now, how are things between you two?"

"To him, I'm just a stranger. Can you imagine suddenly being told to marry someone you've never even met? It's not easy for him either."