Philip Shaw returned home when Aldana Candi was already asleep.
A small bedside lamp was on, and next to it was an empty bowl of medicine.
Philip Shaw glanced briefly at the medicine bowl, then took off his trench coat and went into the bathroom for a hot shower.
When he came out, he moved very quietly, as Aldana Candi was a light sleeper and he couldn't bear to disturb her.
He carefully lifted the quilt, reached out to hold her contentedly in his arms, and couldn't help but bury his face in her back, taking a gentle breath.
She had a faint post-bath scent mixed with a trace of herbal medicine, a unique fragrance that belonged only to Aldana Candi, both familiar and gentle.
He sniffed silently for a long time until he realized it felt too abnormal, then reluctantly lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across Aldana Candi's face.
[If being with me makes her unhappy for a lifetime, I would rather never see her again.]
