Falling for the Goddess

The Past

In the side hall, Tais Yates gently held Sara Hart's hand, her tone tinged with emotion.

"Sara, you seem different this time around."

Sara blinked. "Different?"

Tais nodded. "Yes... I can't quite put my finger on it. But you look... brighter. Happier."

After her grandmother passed away, Sara would occasionally return to South City, but it was always a brief visit—usually just to pay her respects at the grave. She'd quietly come and go, like a shadow. But today, she was smiling, chatting, full of life.

"I think it has to do with your husband," Tais said with a warm smile.

Sara's lips curved upward. "Maybe... Things happened fast when we got married. That's why I didn't tell you at the time."

Tais's voice softened. "After your grandmother passed, I figured you wouldn't stay in South City. But the fact that you brought him here... it means you really care about him. As long as you're safe and happy, we can rest easy. Your grandmother would be relieved too."

Sara felt her throat tighten. Aside from her grandmother, Tais had been the closest thing to a mother figure in her life—gentle, kind, and quietly protective. Every time she returned, Tais would always come to this old house just to be with her.

Tais gave her hand a light pat. "Now tell me about him. He's quite the gentleman—not someone ordinary, I assume?"

Sara nodded. "Alright."

Back in the room, Adrian Blake was seated at a table, reading one of her books.

"You're back," he said, looking up.

Sara eyed the book in his hands nervously. "Where did you get that?"

"From your bookshelf. Why?"

She quickly waved it off. "No big deal."

(Oh god, she thought, he didn't pick up those cringey angsty romance novels... or the moody poems I copied when I was sixteen, right?)

Adrian looked calm as ever.

"Finished talking with Aunt Tais?"

Sara sat down across from him. "Yeah, just caught her up on everything. And..."

She glanced up at him, eyes gleaming mischievously. "You."

Adrian raised a brow, reaching for her hand. "Me? What did you say about me?"

"She asked if you treat me well, what kind of person you are, you know... the usual."

"And what did you tell her?" Adrian fixed his dark gaze on her.

Sara grinned, dragging out the words. "I didn't compliment you too much in front of her!"

Adrian's expression dimmed slightly. "Right, gotta be modest in front of elders..."

Sara burst out laughing. "I told her my husband is amazing. That being with him makes me happier than anything."

Adrian blinked, realizing she was teasing him the whole time.

"You little—" he chuckled, reaching over to pinch her cheek. "You've gotten cheeky."

Sara leaned closer with mock pride. "I praised you so much, okay?"

"Really? Let's hear it then."

She immediately straightened up, suddenly shy. Saying those words in front of him? No way.

"I just said stuff, you know..."

Changing the subject, she quickly said, "I wonder if the others are awake yet. I should check on them."