Falling for the Goddess

I Think I Saw Her Tonight

Compared to Lucas Graves's exaggerated shock, Eric Thornen was much calmer.

Without changing his expression, he locked his phone screen and casually said, "I think I saw her tonight."

Lucas Graves: ???

Eric Thornen glanced at Adrian. Adrian remained his usual indifferent self, as if the topic wasn't about his newlywed wife at all.

"I wanted to confirm if it was really her," Eric Thornen added.

Earlier that day, Lucas Graves had sent a photo of Sara in the lab to the group chat the three of them shared. Eric Thornen had only glanced at it since he was busy, but when he saw her at the hotel later that night, his first thought was that it resembled the girl from the photo. The picture only showed half of Sara's face, so he couldn't be sure, but her hairstyle and demeanor were strikingly similar.

"Where did you see her?" Lucas Graves, unlike Adrian Blake, was eager to know more.

"At the Plaza. It looked like she was there for dinner."

She had also been supporting a drunk man, but Eric Thornen left that part out. Better not to speak on things he wasn't certain of.

At this, everyone turned their eyes back to Adrian Blake.

Adrian Blake swirled his glass slightly, his expression calm as he said, "Where she eats and with whom is her business. It has nothing to do with me."

Noah Ashford raised an eyebrow slightly, pressing his lips together but saying nothing. He'd only heard about Adrian Blake's marriage from Lucas Graves and didn't know much about Adrian Blake's wife, aside from the fact that she was a student at North Capital University—and the picture they'd seen today. However, the combination of "college student" and "Plaza," where business deals were often made, could easily lead to speculation.

Still, Adrian Blake looked completely unbothered, as if it truly had nothing to do with him.

Their relationship had been minimal - just leaving together in the morning and sleeping in the same bed at night, though under separate blankets. Adrian Blake hadn't taken the time to learn much about Sara Hart. She often came home after him, around eight or nine in the evening, but he hadn't paid attention, nor did he ask questions.

He didn't care, and he had promised himself he wouldn't interfere in her private life. Their marriage was, after all, a matter of mutual convenience.

Seeing Adrian Blake's lack of reaction, Lucas Graves pouted in frustration. Adrian Blake was like a brick wall—nothing got through.

He pulled out his phone and changed the group chat name to "Adrian Blake's Latest Gossip."

One day, he thought, something would happen. And when it did, he wouldn't change the name back.

---

When Adrian returned to the villa, Sara was already done with her evening routine and was sitting at the dining table, having a late-night snack.

"Young Master, you're back," Alice Miller said. "I made a snack. Would you like some?"

Sara Hart also looked up at him, her cheeks full from eating, making her look like a little chipmunk. She was wearing a simple set of pajamas she'd brought from home—soft cotton shorts and a matching T-shirt in a creamy off-white. It gave her a gentle, cozy look.

Adrian Blake shook his head slightly. "No, thanks, Aunt Alice. I'm not hungry. I'll head upstairs."

He didn't usually eat late at night, and after spending time at the club Meisi, his clothes had picked up the scent of smoke and alcohol. He went straight upstairs to shower.

Sara Hart wasn't surprised by his response and continued eating her sweet rice wine dumplings in small, delicate bites.

The dishes at the hotel earlier hadn't quite suited her taste, so she had felt a bit hungry when she got home. Alice Miller had offered to make her some rice wine dumplings, and Sara Hart had happily agreed. It reminded her of the sweet dumplings her grandmother used to make in autumn, fragrant with osmanthus flowers. She could easily eat a whole bowl back then.

Alice Miller watched the two of them with growing concern. After spending over ten days in the villa with them, she had noticed how distant they were polite, but hardly speaking to each other. Even though they shared a bedroom, there wasn't any visible sign of growing affection between them. She worried that Old Madam Blake would be distressed if she knew.

Looking at Sara's sweet, obedient face as she ate, Alice Miller smiled and said, "Young Madam, the Young Master has trouble sleeping. Would you mind bringing him a glass of warm milk before bed?"

Sara paused, her hand still holding her spoon, and looked at Alice in surprise. "He has trouble sleeping?"

Alice Miller nodded with a sigh. "Yes, he's had this problem for years. It's not quite insomnia, but he has a hard time falling asleep, and even when he does, he doesn't sleep for long. A glass of warm milk helps a little."

"I see." Sara nodded thoughtfully. She recalled how Adrian was always up before her in the mornings, often going for a run. She hadn't realized that he had trouble sleeping.

Seeing that Sara seemed concerned, Alice smiled warmly and busied herself with cleaning up.

When Sara went upstairs, Adrian was already sitting on the bed, reading a book.

She walked over and gently offered him the glass of milk. "Aunt Alice made you some warm milk. She said it might help you sleep better."

Adrian took the glass from her. "Thank you."

Sara stood there for a moment, not moving, as if she had more to say.

Adrian glanced up at her. "Is there something else?"

Sara hesitated, biting her lip before speaking. "I have a friend who's a doctor. If your sleep problems are serious, I could ask him to help..."

Adrian Blake raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Aunt Alice told you?"

Sara nodded, her concern evident in her eyes.

Adrian closed his book and looked at her for a few seconds before responding in his usual calm tone. "I appreciate that, but it's not necessary."

Sara's fingers tightened around the hem of her shirt, and she lowered her head, biting her lip to stop herself from saying more.

The light in her eyes dimmed, and Adrian, watching her, felt a moment of hesitation. His tone softened slightly. "It's an old issue. Medication doesn't help. Don't worry about it. Now, let's sleep."

"Alright." Sara quietly returned to her side of the bed.

They slept on opposite sides, each under their own blanket, leaving a wide space between them in the middle.

As the lights went out, Sara Hart lay awake, straining to listen to any sounds from Adrian's side of the bed. His breathing was steady, so she couldn't tell if he was asleep or not.

After a long while, she finally drifted off.

In the darkness, Adrian shifted slightly, his gaze lingering on the small form curled up on the other side of the bed. For a moment, he stared at the faint rise and fall of the blanket, lost in thought, before turning back onto his side.