Falling for the Goddess

I'm Living Off My Wife Now; I Need to Be Frugal.

Sara Hart and Adrian Blake's relationship had grown undeniably closer. There was a delicate warmth between them, mingled with a subtle sense of intimacy. Neither acknowledged it aloud, but they were both waiting for the first snowfall in North Capital, unspoken feelings to be revealed finally, and long-held questions to find their answers.

Lately, the weather had been unusually bright, with clear blue skies stretching endlessly and showing no signs of snow.

Since finalizing matters with Blake Group, Adrian seldom left home except to drop Sara off at school and pick her up afterward. This evening, Sara texted him to let him know she'd be running late. Adrian had already arrived at the school gates, so he parked the car and pulled out his laptop to work while waiting.

As the evening deepened and the streetlights flickered on, Adrian stretched, closed his laptop, and reached for his phone to check in with Sara. Just as he was about to send a message, he saw her stepping out of a car ahead.

Sara was dressed formally, her hair tied back neatly, and she carried her laptop in one hand. The car slowly drove off after saying a few words to the driver with a smile and a wave. Turning around, she immediately noticed Adrian's car. Her face lit up, and she jogged over, opening the passenger door to find a bouquet of fresh flowers resting on the seat.

Her eyes sparkled with delight. "You bought flowers again?"

"Mm." Adrian leaned over to take the items from her hands, placing them in the backseat. Only then did Sara pick up the bouquet and settle into her seat.

Adrian had recently bought flowers regularly, a habit he'd picked up from Sara. Whenever he came to pick her up, he would stop to buy a bouquet—sometimes roses, sometimes tulips, always something different.

Sara cradled the flowers and inhaled their fragrance, her smile widening as she admired them.

Adrian glanced at her briefly before starting the car. "Good mood today?"

She nodded, her smile growing. "How did you know?"

"It's written all over your face."

"Well," Sara began excitedly, "I worked with James on a new project today. The company was very accommodating, and James said they had some advanced equipment I could use for testing. Plus, they'll give me a commission for each task I complete. It's a great opportunity."

Adrian's brows lifted in surprise. It took him a moment to realize that Sara was actively trying to earn extra money.

Suppressing a chuckle, he asked, "With your busy schedule, do you still have time for this?"

Sara clutched the bouquet, her smile undeterred. "Experiments don't always require constant supervision. I can manage both as long as I plan my time wisely."

Adrian glanced at her briefly, then returned to the road. "You sure you're not overworking yourself?"

Sara shook her head, then remembered he was driving. "Not at all. I feel great, honestly."

Adrian smiled faintly but said nothing more. Internally, he resolved to expedite his plans.

Adrian had prepared dinner before picking Sara up, a habit he'd developed. Knowing she often came home late, he ensured the meal was ready and kept warm so they could eat as soon as she arrived.

Tonight's spread featured her favorites: roasted salmon with asparagus, rich and creamy tomato soup, and Roman lettuce salad. The dishes were intricate and time-consuming, but Adrian enjoyed the process.

Sara stared at the table, touched but also concerned. "You don't have to go all out like this every day. It must be exhausting."

Adrian dismissed her worries with a casual wave. "I don't have much else to do. Cooking something nice for you is better than doing nothing."

Sara picked up her chopsticks, choosing not to argue further. She didn't want to bruise his pride by insisting.

After dinner, Sara busied herself arranging the flowers in a vase while Adrian's phone buzzed with a call.

"Adrian, your phone's ringing," Sara called out toward the kitchen.

"Who is it?" he asked as he walked over.

Sara shook her head. She hadn't looked at the caller ID; she would never invade his privacy.

Adrian picked up the phone, noting it was from Lucas Graves. "Adrian, want to come out for a drink?" Lucas Graves's cheerful voice echoed through the line.

Adrian hesitated. "You all go ahead. I'll pass."

"Come on, Noah is leaving the country for months. Who knows when we'll get together again? You have to come!"

Adrian glanced at Sara. Hearing her voice in the background, Lucas Graves teased, "Bring your wife along!"

Adrian chuckled softly and responded, "I'll think about it."

Hanging up, he turned to Sara. "Lucas and the others invited me out. Want to come with me?"

Sara shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "I still have some data to process. You go ahead."

"Will you be okay by yourself?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

Sara carefully adjusted the flowers in the vase, then grinned. "No."

Adrian blinked, momentarily thrown off.

Sara's laugh bubbled up. "I'm not a kid, Adrian. I'll be fine."

Adrian let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "All right, I'll try to come back early."

"Don't rush. I'll probably be busy for a while, so stay out as long as you want."

Adrian gave her a lingering look. Most people would urge their husbands to return early, but Sara? She was practically pushing him out the door. He found it both amusing and endearing.

"Call me if you need anything," he said.

"Okay."

At Meisi, Adrian arrived to find that the others had just gathered. Tonight's get-together was to bid farewell to Noah Ashford, who would soon leave for an extended overseas project.

Seeing Adrian walk in alone, Lucas Graves raised an eyebrow. "Where's your wife?"

Adrian shrugged lightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "She's at home working on a report."

His tone was casual, but there was a sense of familiarity in how he said it, as though they'd been married for years. The others exchanged a glance. Adrian's demeanor had shifted—he seemed more at ease, even... content.

Eric Thorne studied him curiously. "So, what's the plan now?"

Adrian glanced down at the card in his hand, turning it idly between his fingers. "I'll lay low for a while, get everything settled. When the time's right, I'll make my move."

That was all they needed to hear. They trusted his judgment.

Noah Ashford sipped his drink and smirked. "If things ever get too tough, you're welcome to work for me as my assistant."

"Get lost," Adrian shot back, though his lips quirked upward in amusement.

Noah Ashford chuckled. "The change in you is something else. I bet it's thanks to your wife."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying it.

He couldn't deny that having Sara by his side made everything seem more manageable and hopeful.

"Let's switch things up tonight," Lucas Graves suggested. "How about we hit somewhere new?"

"No," Adrian rejected flatly.

"Why not?" Lucas Graves pouted, looking wounded.

Adrian twirled the card in his fingers, his tone nonchalant. "Because I'm living off my wife now. I need to be frugal and stay in line."