Three days after a scandalous one-night stand, Freya married Caleb, the city’s most formidable and cold-blooded attorney. To the public, the marriage was a joke; everyone knew Caleb had someone else in his heart. Freya was merely a "stand-in wife," a temporary fixture destined to be discarded the moment his true love returned. Freya played her part to perfection. She was the obedient, devoted Mrs. Clayton who waited for him until the early hours of the morning and blushed whenever he drew near. Caleb, a man accustomed to being worshipped, basked in her silent adoration. He treated her with a calculated indifference, convinced that Freya was so hopelessly in love that she would never leave his side. But the illusion shattered the day Lucian, a man who had been missing for three years, suddenly reappeared. With a single call of her name, the mask Freya had worn for years crumbled. For the first time, she walked away from Caleb without a second glance, her eyes red with tears—tears that were never meant for him. Only then did Caleb realize the devastating truth: Freya had never actually cared about him. He wasn't the hero of her story; he was just the man she used to endure the silence of her grief. On the day of their divorce, Freya walked out of his life, never once looking back at Caleb or the woman he had supposedly chosen over her. She was grateful that her "love" for him had never been spoken aloud. Months later, in a foreign land, the high-and-mighty Caleb appeared like a shadow of his former self. The "Incorruptible Moon" of the legal world had fallen into the dust. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were bloodshot and desperate. "Freya," he begged, his voice breaking as he clung to the hem of her coat. "Please... just marry me one more time."

Chapter 1Freya Lachlan's night ended in a one-night stand. When she woke up, the guy was already gone.It was a double-edged sword: the good news was she didn't have to worry about him clinging to her, but the bad news was she couldn't even remember what he looked like.Just two adults indulging in a moment of passion before going their separate ways—it really shouldn't have been a big deal.But she was different. She was terrified of dying.So, first thing in the morning, Freya marched straight to the hospital for a Full STD Panel.Pressing a cotton swab against the crook of her elbow, she stared blankly down the hospital corridor, racking her brain to remember the guy from last night.How old did he say he was again?Eighteen?Was it eighteen... as in his age, or eighteen as in his size?As the hazy memories tried to surface, her hangover brought on a splitting headache.She let out a long breath, stood up, and headed to the self-service kiosk to print her results. The machine hummed and spat out a sheet of paper. She grabbed it, looked down, and after taking exactly two steps, slammed right into a broad, solid chest.It was Caleb Clayton.Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the man she went on a blind date with just three days ago.He wore wire-rimmed glasses and a dark, tailored suit. His entire demeanor was brooding and reserved, radiating a chilling indifference that kept everyone at arm's length.Caleb leaned down and picked up the test results she had dropped on the floor. "Feeling unwell?"The Lachlan and Clayton families were old family friends. But since Freya was the 'baggage' her mother brought along when she joined the Lachlan family, she hadn't crossed paths with him much before, meaning she barely knew him at all.All she knew was that he was a partner at Northford's most prestigious law firm. He used to be a highly respected judge before leaving public office to become a hotshot attorney who moved seamlessly through both political and business circles.He had the skills, and he had the background. But as a person? He was as cold as a Cretaceous-era fossil."I've got seven years on you."That was the very first thing he had said to her on their blind date."Yeah, I know." Freya looked straight at him, her eyes wide and bright. "My mom told me."A tense silence had fallen between them."You're just going on this date to get your family off your back about getting married, right?" Freya had taken the initiative to break the ice, adding, "My mom told me that part, too."Aside from that, she couldn't fathom a single reason why a man like him would ever sit down for a date with someone like her."What else have you heard?" Caleb's tone had remained flat, but his expression carried a faint, unreadable smirk, radiating an inexplicable coldness.Freya was incredibly self-aware. Just because their families were of equal standing didn't mean the two of them were playing in the same league. She knew her credentials didn't even come close to his, and she had never harbored any delusions of becoming Mrs. Clayton.Caleb wasn't interested in her, and frankly, she didn't care either. They hadn't even taken a sip of their coffee before calling the date off.She thought the whole ordeal was behind them. Who would have guessed she'd physically crash into him at the hospital today, right as she was holding a Full STD Panel printout?Freya snapped back to reality and swiftly snatched the paper from his hand. "No, it's just a routine checkup.""Right. Good to hear." Caleb gave a curt, apathetic nod.His phone conveniently buzzed. With a slight nod of acknowledgment, he continued walking past her. "Yes, I'll be right there. Tell the client's family to calm down."Freya stood frozen, watching his broad back disappear into the elevator. The doors slowly slid shut, narrowing the gap until he was completely gone."What are you staring at?" Snow Jarvis waved a hand in front of her face.She was Freya's best friend. They had known each other for a decade, from the time they were fifteen all the way to twenty-five. It was at Snow's bar last night that Freya had gotten drunk enough to end up in a one-night stand."Nothing," Freya replied."I checked around. That guy from last night wasn't one of my regulars.""Yeah. The results look fine anyway, and I've already taken the PEP." Freya folded the test sheet and tucked it into her shoulder bag.Snow studied her face carefully, hesitating before finally speaking up. "But... the guy... it looked like it was... Caleb Clayton."With that, she unlocked her phone and played a clip of the security footage.On the screen, Freya was clearly feeling the alcohol, swaying on her feet. She stumbled away from the bar and barely made it two steps before a man suddenly wrapped an arm around her from the side."Careful there, sweetheart."His voice oozed sleaze.Even in her drunken haze, she knew he was bad news. She thrashed and tried to pull away. "Get away from me!"The guy's hands only got more aggressive. "I'm just trying to protect you, don't be scared.""Back off!" Freya completely lost it and slapped him hard across the face."You ungrateful bitch," the guy sneered, raising his arm to strike her back.But before he could, a strong, muscular arm intercepted his wrist."There are cameras everywhere. Looking to spend the night in a cell?" Caleb's voice was absolute ice, dripping with heavy, suffocating authority.The guy quickly took in Caleb's tailored clothes and commanding presence. Assuming he was someone powerful and not to be messed with, he walked away, cursing under his breath."Thanks," Freya breathed out."I'll take you home." Caleb frowned slightly, looking down at her as she struggled to even stand."Did Snow call you?"When she got no response, Freya mumbled, "Snow is the best..."Caleb pressed his lips into a tight line, twirling his phone between his fingers.Freya stared at the security footage, her temples throbbing.The only reason she had drank so heavily last night was because her stepfather had told her he was arranging for her to marry an older, twice-divorced businessman. The guy was supposedly very successful, but there were rumors of domestic violence.Freya refused to marry him. But her mother had begged her to just be obedient, reminding her that her stepfather had raised them for years and that going from a poor small-town girl to a wealthy wife was a blessing.As the face of her one-night stand sharpened in her memory, the scenes that unfolded after leaving the bar started rushing back.She remembered being laid down on a bed, sinking instantly into a cloud-like down comforter. Her head was spinning, buzzing like a swarm of bees.Silhouettes blurred together in her mind. A heavy knot formed in her chest—she couldn't tell if it was from a sense of injustice or pure anger.Since moving in with the Lachlan family, she rarely let herself feel these kinds of emotions.She was terrified of anything going wrong. She lived her life carefully, strictly following the rules. And that was exactly why they all assumed she was an easy target.Through her drunken haze, Freya had forced her eyes open, studying Caleb's back.He was tall, with broad, sharp shoulders.Gorgeous!She decided right then that she was done being a pushover.Caleb unbuttoned his suit jacket, walked back over with a glass of warm water, and gently patted her shoulder. "Drink this."Freya caught a whiff of crisp, cool cedarwood. Her gaze traveled slowly from his face down to his hands."Feed it to me," she whined softly.Caleb's lips twitched into a smirk, watching her with sudden amusement. "You're completely wasted.""A true gentleman bares his soul, but a coward hides his... package..." Freya suddenly sat up, reached out, and grabbed Caleb's belt, clumsily trying to pull it loose.She tugged twice, but it wouldn't budge. She looked up and locked eyes with him.Beneath her heavy lids, her eyes were glassy and shimmering. She suddenly tilted her head and smiled, reaching out a finger to tap his jaw. "You know what... you're like an orthoceras."Caleb's eyes were like a frozen, bottomless pool, devoid of light."An orthoceras," she slurred, repeating herself. "An Ordovician fossil. The shell is perfectly straight and long, sharp like a sword. But inside, it's completely compartmentalized. It never reveals what's hidden inside... makes you want to crack it wide open."He caught her wandering hands and repeated, "You're wasted."She pouted, shook her head, and pulled one hand free to slide it up his chest. She grabbed his tie and wrapped it around her fingers. "You're a coward, aren't you?""You explicitly said you weren't interested in me." Behind the wire-rimmed glasses, Caleb's eyes darkened as he let her pull him closer.Freya's head was spinning. She fell back against the mattress, her long hair fanning out like soft seaweed. Her voice was thick with a lazy, drunken allure. "Come on... be a gentleman, not a coward..."She tilted her slender neck up. Her delicate lips, soft as jelly, brushed against his Adam's apple, placing light, breathless kisses against his skin.Caleb's gaze flickered. His large, elegant hands slid into her hair, feeling the soft curves of her body rising and falling beneath him."Freya," he murmured. "I'm no coward, but I'm definitely not a good man either."Freya felt the alcohol surging violently through her veins, making her pulse pound in her ears and setting her blood on fire.She chased his lips, humming softly. "Don't use my name. Call me sweetheart..."Caleb stared at her clumsy yet fiercely determined efforts. He leaned down and finally captured her lips."Sweetheart." His deep, gravelly voice echoed right against her ear.As most of her clothes hit the floor, her mind briefly flickered back to reality. She mumbled, "How old are you? Are you legal?""How old do you think I am?""I think you're eighteen.""Alright, then I'm eighteen.""Mhm... your customer service is excellent," Freya murmured softly, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck.Until the distance between them disappeared entirely.The memory abruptly ended. Freya's face burned like a sunset, and a sudden wave of guilt washed over her.She vaguely recalled spouting a bunch of absolute nonsense—mostly phrases Snow used on a daily basis, which her drunk brain had just automatically parroted.Ugh... At the end of their blind date, to salvage a shred of her dignity, she had looked Caleb dead in the eye and said, "Mr. Clayton, I have zero interest in you. You can relax."Her pride was officially in pieces! Freya clutched her chest and lightly thumped it twice.She knew from the start that Caleb wouldn't look twice at her. What she hadn't mentioned to him was that she'd also heard the rumors: he was keeping a girlfriend on the side, a woman he wasn't allowed to bring home, and had nearly cut ties with his family over her.That explained why Caleb had bolted this morning without a single word. Maybe he was just terrified she'd get clingy.The coldness that follows true intimacy was always what stung the most.Freya shook her head, desperate to toss the chaotic thoughts out of her mind. "Whatever. It was just a one-night stand."Judging by their respective social standings and how much effort he put in last night, she certainly wasn't the one who got the short end of the stick...."Mr. Clayton, the materials you requested are ready. It's looking a bit complicated," the junior lawyer said, handing a stack of files to Caleb.Caleb flipped through them. "Alright. Take me to see the doctor who treated the client today."He strode down the hall and stopped right outside the consultation room, only to spot Freya sitting inside.Her back was perfectly straight. Under her simple white T-shirt, her slender waist was clearly defined.Caleb's mind suddenly flashed back to her fiery passion the night before, tangling herself beneath him, her eyes shining with absolute softness.*"A true gentleman bares his soul, but a coward hides his... package..."*A fleeting glint of amusement flashed in his deep eyes.The door to the consultation room was wide open, and their conversation drifted clearly out into the hall."Your current test results are clear, but we'll need to monitor further for HIV and syphilis."Freya nodded. "How long do I need to be on the PEP?""You have to take it for a full 28 days." The female doctor finished her sentence and then lightly added, "You really need to be more careful out there."Freya offered a quiet "Oh," and just as she stood up to leave, she caught sight of Caleb standing tall in the doorway.Today was clearly not her day!She forced a polite but excruciatingly awkward smile. "Hi, Mr. Clayton. What a coincidence. We meet again."Caleb's lips pressed into a razor-sharp line, a dark, mocking humor barely concealed in his tone. "Worried I've got a disease?"At his question, all the color drained from her face entirely."No."She forced the word out stiffly. Then, looking up at him, she decided she had nothing left to lose. "Actually, Mr. Clayton, I'd suggest you get tested too. Better for both of us, just so there are no misunderstandings later."The lenses of his wire-rimmed glasses caught the harsh hospital light. The corners of Caleb's mouth tightened.This morning, his client had unexpectedly been stabbed. He had rushed off to handle the crisis and had actually felt a twinge of guilt for leaving without a word. Just a second ago, he had even considered offering her a brief explanation.Clearly, he had worried for nothing."Right. Thanks for the heads-up."Freya assumed his polite response was merely good manners. Figuring their paths would likely never cross again anyway, she didn't bother replying and just walked right past him.Freya kept her head down as she hurried out of the hospital, only letting out a massive breath once she was safely in the passenger seat of Snow's car.Snow glanced over at her. "You okay? You look awful. Do you need to call in sick to the university and get some rest?""I'm fine. Our research group's fieldwork phase is wrapping up, so I have to push through. I'm taking the students out to Veridian Ridge in a few days to collect fossils."Chapter 2Freya Lachlan's night ended in a one-night stand. When she woke up, the guy was already gone.It was a double-edged sword: the good news was she didn't have to worry about him clinging to her, but the bad news was she couldn't even remember what he looked like.Just two adults indulging in a moment of passion before going their separate ways—it really shouldn't have been a big deal.But she was different. She was terrified of dying.So, first thing in the morning, Freya marched straight to the hospital for a Full STD Panel.Pressing a cotton swab against the crook of her elbow, she stared blankly down the hospital corridor, racking her brain to remember the guy from last night.How old did he say he was again?Eighteen?Was it eighteen... as in his age, or eighteen as in his size?As the hazy memories tried to surface, her hangover brought on a splitting headache.She let out a long breath, stood up, and headed to the self-service kiosk to print her results. The machine hummed and spat out a sheet of paper. She grabbed it, looked down, and after taking exactly two steps, slammed right into a broad, solid chest.It was Caleb Clayton.Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the man she went on a blind date with just three days ago.He wore wire-rimmed glasses and a dark, tailored suit. His entire demeanor was brooding and reserved, radiating a chilling indifference that kept everyone at arm's length.Caleb leaned down and picked up the test results she had dropped on the floor. "Feeling unwell?"The Lachlan and Clayton families were old family friends. But since Freya was the 'baggage' her mother brought along when she joined the Lachlan family, she hadn't crossed paths with him much before, meaning she barely knew him at all.All she knew was that he was a partner at Northford's most prestigious law firm. He used to be a highly respected judge before leaving public office to become a hotshot attorney who moved seamlessly through both political and business circles.He had the skills, and he had the background. But as a person? He was as cold as a Cretaceous-era fossil."I've got seven years on you."That was the very first thing he had said to her on their blind date."Yeah, I know." Freya looked straight at him, her eyes wide and bright. "My mom told me."A tense silence had fallen between them."You're just going on this date to get your family off your back about getting married, right?" Freya had taken the initiative to break the ice, adding, "My mom told me that part, too."Aside from that, she couldn't fathom a single reason why a man like him would ever sit down for a date with someone like her."What else have you heard?" Caleb's tone had remained flat, but his expression carried a faint, unreadable smirk, radiating an inexplicable coldness.Freya was incredibly self-aware. Just because their families were of equal standing didn't mean the two of them were playing in the same league. She knew her credentials didn't even come close to his, and she had never harbored any delusions of becoming Mrs. Clayton.Caleb wasn't interested in her, and frankly, she didn't care either. They hadn't even taken a sip of their coffee before calling the date off.She thought the whole ordeal was behind them. Who would have guessed she'd physically crash into him at the hospital today, right as she was holding a Full STD Panel printout?Freya snapped back to reality and swiftly snatched the paper from his hand. "No, it's just a routine checkup.""Right. Good to hear." Caleb gave a curt, apathetic nod.His phone conveniently buzzed. With a slight nod of acknowledgment, he continued walking past her. "Yes, I'll be right there. Tell the client's family to calm down."Freya stood frozen, watching his broad back disappear into the elevator. The doors slowly slid shut, narrowing the gap until he was completely gone."What are you staring at?" Snow Jarvis waved a hand in front of her face.She was Freya's best friend. They had known each other for a decade, from the time they were fifteen all the way to twenty-five. It was at Snow's bar last night that Freya had gotten drunk enough to end up in a one-night stand."Nothing," Freya replied."I checked around. That guy from last night wasn't one of my regulars.""Yeah. The results look fine anyway, and I've already taken the PEP." Freya folded the test sheet and tucked it into her shoulder bag.Snow studied her face carefully, hesitating before finally speaking up. "But... the guy... it looked like it was... Caleb Clayton."With that, she unlocked her phone and played a clip of the security footage.On the screen, Freya was clearly feeling the alcohol, swaying on her feet. She stumbled away from the bar and barely made it two steps before a man suddenly wrapped an arm around her from the side."Careful there, sweetheart."His voice oozed sleaze.Even in her drunken haze, she knew he was bad news. She thrashed and tried to pull away. "Get away from me!"The guy's hands only got more aggressive. "I'm just trying to protect you, don't be scared.""Back off!" Freya completely lost it and slapped him hard across the face."You ungrateful bitch," the guy sneered, raising his arm to strike her back.But before he could, a strong, muscular arm intercepted his wrist."There are cameras everywhere. Looking to spend the night in a cell?" Caleb's voice was absolute ice, dripping with heavy, suffocating authority.The guy quickly took in Caleb's tailored clothes and commanding presence. Assuming he was someone powerful and not to be messed with, he walked away, cursing under his breath."Thanks," Freya breathed out."I'll take you home." Caleb frowned slightly, looking down at her as she struggled to even stand."Did Snow call you?"When she got no response, Freya mumbled, "Snow is the best..."Caleb pressed his lips into a tight line, twirling his phone between his fingers.Freya stared at the security footage, her temples throbbing.The only reason she had drank so heavily last night was because her stepfather had told her he was arranging for her to marry an older, twice-divorced businessman. The guy was supposedly very successful, but there were rumors of domestic violence.Freya refused to marry him. But her mother had begged her to just be obedient, reminding her that her stepfather had raised them for years and that going from a poor small-town girl to a wealthy wife was a blessing.As the face of her one-night stand sharpened in her memory, the scenes that unfolded after leaving the bar started rushing back.She remembered being laid down on a bed, sinking instantly into a cloud-like down comforter. Her head was spinning, buzzing like a swarm of bees.Silhouettes blurred together in her mind. A heavy knot formed in her chest—she couldn't tell if it was from a sense of injustice or pure anger.Since moving in with the Lachlan family, she rarely let herself feel these kinds of emotions.She was terrified of anything going wrong. She lived her life carefully, strictly following the rules. And that was exactly why they all assumed she was an easy target.Through her drunken haze, Freya had forced her eyes open, studying Caleb's back.He was tall, with broad, sharp shoulders.Gorgeous!She decided right then that she was done being a pushover.Caleb unbuttoned his suit jacket, walked back over with a glass of warm water, and gently patted her shoulder. "Drink this."Freya caught a whiff of crisp, cool cedarwood. Her gaze traveled slowly from his face down to his hands."Feed it to me," she whined softly.Caleb's lips twitched into a smirk, watching her with sudden amusement. "You're completely wasted.""A true gentleman bares his soul, but a coward hides his... package..." Freya suddenly sat up, reached out, and grabbed Caleb's belt, clumsily trying to pull it loose.She tugged twice, but it wouldn't budge. She looked up and locked eyes with him.Beneath her heavy lids, her eyes were glassy and shimmering. She suddenly tilted her head and smiled, reaching out a finger to tap his jaw. "You know what... you're like an orthoceras."Caleb's eyes were like a frozen, bottomless pool, devoid of light."An orthoceras," she slurred, repeating herself. "An Ordovician fossil. The shell is perfectly straight and long, sharp like a sword. But inside, it's completely compartmentalized. It never reveals what's hidden inside... makes you want to crack it wide open."He caught her wandering hands and repeated, "You're wasted."She pouted, shook her head, and pulled one hand free to slide it up his chest. She grabbed his tie and wrapped it around her fingers. "You're a coward, aren't you?""You explicitly said you weren't interested in me." Behind the wire-rimmed glasses, Caleb's eyes darkened as he let her pull him closer.Freya's head was spinning. She fell back against the mattress, her long hair fanning out like soft seaweed. Her voice was thick with a lazy, drunken allure. "Come on... be a gentleman, not a coward..."She tilted her slender neck up. Her delicate lips, soft as jelly, brushed against his Adam's apple, placing light, breathless kisses against his skin.Caleb's gaze flickered. His large, elegant hands slid into her hair, feeling the soft curves of her body rising and falling beneath him."Freya," he murmured. "I'm no coward, but I'm definitely not a good man either."Freya felt the alcohol surging violently through her veins, making her pulse pound in her ears and setting her blood on fire.She chased his lips, humming softly. "Don't use my name. Call me sweetheart..."Caleb stared at her clumsy yet fiercely determined efforts. He leaned down and finally captured her lips."Sweetheart." His deep, gravelly voice echoed right against her ear.As most of her clothes hit the floor, her mind briefly flickered back to reality. She mumbled, "How old are you? Are you legal?""How old do you think I am?""I think you're eighteen.""Alright, then I'm eighteen.""Mhm... your customer service is excellent," Freya murmured softly, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck.Until the distance between them disappeared entirely.The memory abruptly ended. Freya's face burned like a sunset, and a sudden wave of guilt washed over her.She vaguely recalled spouting a bunch of absolute nonsense—mostly phrases Snow used on a daily basis, which her drunk brain had just automatically parroted.Ugh... At the end of their blind date, to salvage a shred of her dignity, she had looked Caleb dead in the eye and said, "Mr. Clayton, I have zero interest in you. You can relax."Her pride was officially in pieces! Freya clutched her chest and lightly thumped it twice.She knew from the start that Caleb wouldn't look twice at her. What she hadn't mentioned to him was that she'd also heard the rumors: he was keeping a girlfriend on the side, a woman he wasn't allowed to bring home, and had nearly cut ties with his family over her.That explained why Caleb had bolted this morning without a single word. Maybe he was just terrified she'd get clingy.The coldness that follows true intimacy was always what stung the most.Freya shook her head, desperate to toss the chaotic thoughts out of her mind. "Whatever. It was just a one-night stand."Judging by their respective social standings and how much effort he put in last night, she certainly wasn't the one who got the short end of the stick...."Mr. Clayton, the materials you requested are ready. It's looking a bit complicated," the junior lawyer said, handing a stack of files to Caleb.Caleb flipped through them. "Alright. Take me to see the doctor who treated the client today."He strode down the hall and stopped right outside the consultation room, only to spot Freya sitting inside.Her back was perfectly straight. Under her simple white T-shirt, her slender waist was clearly defined.Caleb's mind suddenly flashed back to her fiery passion the night before, tangling herself beneath him, her eyes shining with absolute softness.*"A true gentleman bares his soul, but a coward hides his... package..."*A fleeting glint of amusement flashed in his deep eyes.The door to the consultation room was wide open, and their conversation drifted clearly out into the hall."Your current test results are clear, but we'll need to monitor further for HIV and syphilis."Freya nodded. "How long do I need to be on the PEP?""You have to take it for a full 28 days." The female doctor finished her sentence and then lightly added, "You really need to be more careful out there."Freya offered a quiet "Oh," and just as she stood up to leave, she caught sight of Caleb standing tall in the doorway.Today was clearly not her day!She forced a polite but excruciatingly awkward smile. "Hi, Mr. Clayton. What a coincidence. We meet again."Caleb's lips pressed into a razor-sharp line, a dark, mocking humor barely concealed in his tone. "Worried I've got a disease?"At his question, all the color drained from her face entirely."No."She forced the word out stiffly. Then, looking up at him, she decided she had nothing left to lose. "Actually, Mr. Clayton, I'd suggest you get tested too. Better for both of us, just so there are no misunderstandings later."The lenses of his wire-rimmed glasses caught the harsh hospital light. The corners of Caleb's mouth tightened.This morning, his client had unexpectedly been stabbed. He had rushed off to handle the crisis and had actually felt a twinge of guilt for leaving without a word. Just a second ago, he had even considered offering her a brief explanation.Clearly, he had worried for nothing."Right. Thanks for the heads-up."Freya assumed his polite response was merely good manners. Figuring their paths would likely never cross again anyway, she didn't bother replying and just walked right past him.Freya kept her head down as she hurried out of the hospital, only letting out a massive breath once she was safely in the passenger seat of Snow's car.Snow glanced over at her. "You okay? You look awful. Do you need to call in sick to the university and get some rest?""I'm fine. Our research group's fieldwork phase is wrapping up, so I have to push through. I'm taking the students out to Veridian Ridge in a few days to collect fossils."Chapter 3Freya Lachlan's night ended in a one-night stand. When she woke up, the guy was already gone.It was a double-edged sword: the good news was she didn't have to worry about him clinging to her, but the bad news was she couldn't even remember what he looked like.Just two adults indulging in a moment of passion before going their separate ways—it really shouldn't have been a big deal.But she was different. She was terrified of dying.So, first thing in the morning, Freya marched straight to the hospital for a Full STD Panel.Pressing a cotton swab against the crook of her elbow, she stared blankly down the hospital corridor, racking her brain to remember the guy from last night.How old did he say he was again?Eighteen?Was it eighteen... as in his age, or eighteen as in his size?As the hazy memories tried to surface, her hangover brought on a splitting headache.She let out a long breath, stood up, and headed to the self-service kiosk to print her results. The machine hummed and spat out a sheet of paper. She grabbed it, looked down, and after taking exactly two steps, slammed right into a broad, solid chest.It was Caleb Clayton.Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the man she went on a blind date with just three days ago.He wore wire-rimmed glasses and a dark, tailored suit. His entire demeanor was brooding and reserved, radiating a chilling indifference that kept everyone at arm's length.Caleb leaned down and picked up the test results she had dropped on the floor. "Feeling unwell?"The Lachlan and Clayton families were old family friends. But since Freya was the 'baggage' her mother brought along when she joined the Lachlan family, she hadn't crossed paths with him much before, meaning she barely knew him at all.All she knew was that he was a partner at Northford's most prestigious law firm. He used to be a highly respected judge before leaving public office to become a hotshot attorney who moved seamlessly through both political and business circles.He had the skills, and he had the background. But as a person? He was as cold as a Cretaceous-era fossil."I've got seven years on you."That was the very first thing he had said to her on their blind date."Yeah, I know." Freya looked straight at him, her eyes wide and bright. "My mom told me."A tense silence had fallen between them."You're just going on this date to get your family off your back about getting married, right?" Freya had taken the initiative to break the ice, adding, "My mom told me that part, too."Aside from that, she couldn't fathom a single reason why a man like him would ever sit down for a date with someone like her."What else have you heard?" Caleb's tone had remained flat, but his expression carried a faint, unreadable smirk, radiating an inexplicable coldness.Freya was incredibly self-aware. Just because their families were of equal standing didn't mean the two of them were playing in the same league. She knew her credentials didn't even come close to his, and she had never harbored any delusions of becoming Mrs. Clayton.Caleb wasn't interested in her, and frankly, she didn't care either. They hadn't even taken a sip of their coffee before calling the date off.She thought the whole ordeal was behind them. Who would have guessed she'd physically crash into him at the hospital today, right as she was holding a Full STD Panel printout?Freya snapped back to reality and swiftly snatched the paper from his hand. "No, it's just a routine checkup.""Right. Good to hear." Caleb gave a curt, apathetic nod.His phone conveniently buzzed. With a slight nod of acknowledgment, he continued walking past her. "Yes, I'll be right there. Tell the client's family to calm down."Freya stood frozen, watching his broad back disappear into the elevator. The doors slowly slid shut, narrowing the gap until he was completely gone."What are you staring at?" Snow Jarvis waved a hand in front of her face.She was Freya's best friend. They had known each other for a decade, from the time they were fifteen all the way to twenty-five. It was at Snow's bar last night that Freya had gotten drunk enough to end up in a one-night stand."Nothing," Freya replied."I checked around. That guy from last night wasn't one of my regulars.""Yeah. The results look fine anyway, and I've already taken the PEP." Freya folded the test sheet and tucked it into her shoulder bag.Snow studied her face carefully, hesitating before finally speaking up. "But... the guy... it looked like it was... Caleb Clayton."With that, she unlocked her phone and played a clip of the security footage.On the screen, Freya was clearly feeling the alcohol, swaying on her feet. She stumbled away from the bar and barely made it two steps before a man suddenly wrapped an arm around her from the side."Careful there, sweetheart."His voice oozed sleaze.Even in her drunken haze, she knew he was bad news. She thrashed and tried to pull away. "Get away from me!"The guy's hands only got more aggressive. "I'm just trying to protect you, don't be scared.""Back off!" Freya completely lost it and slapped him hard across the face."You ungrateful bitch," the guy sneered, raising his arm to strike her back.But before he could, a strong, muscular arm intercepted his wrist."There are cameras everywhere. Looking to spend the night in a cell?" Caleb's voice was absolute ice, dripping with heavy, suffocating authority.The guy quickly took in Caleb's tailored clothes and commanding presence. Assuming he was someone powerful and not to be messed with, he walked away, cursing under his breath."Thanks," Freya breathed out."I'll take you home." Caleb frowned slightly, looking down at her as she struggled to even stand."Did Snow call you?"When she got no response, Freya mumbled, "Snow is the best..."Caleb pressed his lips into a tight line, twirling his phone between his fingers.Freya stared at the security footage, her temples throbbing.The only reason she had drank so heavily last night was because her stepfather had told her he was arranging for her to marry an older, twice-divorced businessman. The guy was supposedly very successful, but there were rumors of domestic violence.Freya refused to marry him. But her mother had begged her to just be obedient, reminding her that her stepfather had raised them for years and that going from a poor small-town girl to a wealthy wife was a blessing.As the face of her one-night stand sharpened in her memory, the scenes that unfolded after leaving the bar started rushing back.She remembered being laid down on a bed, sinking instantly into a cloud-like down comforter. Her head was spinning, buzzing like a swarm of bees.Silhouettes blurred together in her mind. A heavy knot formed in her chest—she couldn't tell if it was from a sense of injustice or pure anger.Since moving in with the Lachlan family, she rarely let herself feel these kinds of emotions.She was terrified of anything going wrong. She lived her life carefully, strictly following the rules. And that was exactly why they all assumed she was an easy target.Through her drunken haze, Freya had forced her eyes open, studying Caleb's back.He was tall, with broad, sharp shoulders.Gorgeous!She decided right then that she was done being a pushover.Caleb unbuttoned his suit jacket, walked back over with a glass of warm water, and gently patted her shoulder. "Drink this."Freya caught a whiff of crisp, cool cedarwood. Her gaze traveled slowly from his face down to his hands."Feed it to me," she whined softly.Caleb's lips twitched into a smirk, watching her with sudden amusement. "You're completely wasted.""A true gentleman bares his soul, but a coward hides his... package..." Freya suddenly sat up, reached out, and grabbed Caleb's belt, clumsily trying to pull it loose.She tugged twice, but it wouldn't budge. She looked up and locked eyes with him.Beneath her heavy lids, her eyes were glassy and shimmering. She suddenly tilted her head and smiled, reaching out a finger to tap his jaw. "You know what... you're like an orthoceras."Caleb's eyes were like a frozen, bottomless pool, devoid of light."An orthoceras," she slurred, repeating herself. "An Ordovician fossil. The shell is perfectly straight and long, sharp like a sword. But inside, it's completely compartmentalized. It never reveals what's hidden inside... makes you want to crack it wide open."He caught her wandering hands and repeated, "You're wasted."She pouted, shook her head, and pulled one hand free to slide it up his chest. She grabbed his tie and wrapped it around her fingers. "You're a coward, aren't you?""You explicitly said you weren't interested in me." Behind the wire-rimmed glasses, Caleb's eyes darkened as he let her pull him closer.Freya's head was spinning. She fell back against the mattress, her long hair fanning out like soft seaweed. Her voice was thick with a lazy, drunken allure. "Come on... be a gentleman, not a coward..."She tilted her slender neck up. Her delicate lips, soft as jelly, brushed against his Adam's apple, placing light, breathless kisses against his skin.Caleb's gaze flickered. His large, elegant hands slid into her hair, feeling the soft curves of her body rising and falling beneath him."Freya," he murmured. "I'm no coward, but I'm definitely not a good man either."Freya felt the alcohol surging violently through her veins, making her pulse pound in her ears and setting her blood on fire.She chased his lips, humming softly. "Don't use my name. Call me sweetheart..."Caleb stared at her clumsy yet fiercely determined efforts. He leaned down and finally captured her lips."Sweetheart." His deep, gravelly voice echoed right against her ear.As most of her clothes hit the floor, her mind briefly flickered back to reality. She mumbled, "How old are you? Are you legal?""How old do you think I am?""I think you're eighteen.""Alright, then I'm eighteen.""Mhm... your customer service is excellent," Freya murmured softly, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck.Until the distance between them disappeared entirely.The memory abruptly ended. Freya's face burned like a sunset, and a sudden wave of guilt washed over her.She vaguely recalled spouting a bunch of absolute nonsense—mostly phrases Snow used on a daily basis, which her drunk brain had just automatically parroted.Ugh... At the end of their blind date, to salvage a shred of her dignity, she had looked Caleb dead in the eye and said, "Mr. Clayton, I have zero interest in you. You can relax."Her pride was officially in pieces! Freya clutched her chest and lightly thumped it twice.She knew from the start that Caleb wouldn't look twice at her. What she hadn't mentioned to him was that she'd also heard the rumors: he was keeping a girlfriend on the side, a woman he wasn't allowed to bring home, and had nearly cut ties with his family over her.That explained why Caleb had bolted this morning without a single word. Maybe he was just terrified she'd get clingy.The coldness that follows true intimacy was always what stung the most.Freya shook her head, desperate to toss the chaotic thoughts out of her mind. "Whatever. It was just a one-night stand."Judging by their respective social standings and how much effort he put in last night, she certainly wasn't the one who got the short end of the stick...."Mr. Clayton, the materials you requested are ready. It's looking a bit complicated," the junior lawyer said, handing a stack of files to Caleb.Caleb flipped through them. "Alright. Take me to see the doctor who treated the client today."He strode down the hall and stopped right outside the consultation room, only to spot Freya sitting inside.Her back was perfectly straight. Under her simple white T-shirt, her slender waist was clearly defined.Caleb's mind suddenly flashed back to her fiery passion the night before, tangling herself beneath him, her eyes shining with absolute softness.*"A true gentleman bares his soul, but a coward hides his... package..."*A fleeting glint of amusement flashed in his deep eyes.The door to the consultation room was wide open, and their conversation drifted clearly out into the hall."Your current test results are clear, but we'll need to monitor further for HIV and syphilis."Freya nodded. "How long do I need to be on the PEP?""You have to take it for a full 28 days." The female doctor finished her sentence and then lightly added, "You really need to be more careful out there."Freya offered a quiet "Oh," and just as she stood up to leave, she caught sight of Caleb standing tall in the doorway.Today was clearly not her day!She forced a polite but excruciatingly awkward smile. "Hi, Mr. Clayton. What a coincidence. We meet again."Caleb's lips pressed into a razor-sharp line, a dark, mocking humor barely concealed in his tone. "Worried I've got a disease?"At his question, all the color drained from her face entirely."No."She forced the word out stiffly. Then, looking up at him, she decided she had nothing left to lose. "Actually, Mr. Clayton, I'd suggest you get tested too. Better for both of us, just so there are no misunderstandings later."The lenses of his wire-rimmed glasses caught the harsh hospital light. The corners of Caleb's mouth tightened.This morning, his client had unexpectedly been stabbed. He had rushed off to handle the crisis and had actually felt a twinge of guilt for leaving without a word. Just a second ago, he had even considered offering her a brief explanation.Clearly, he had worried for nothing."Right. Thanks for the heads-up."Freya assumed his polite response was merely good manners. Figuring their paths would likely never cross again anyway, she didn't bother replying and just walked right past him.Freya kept her head down as she hurried out of the hospital, only letting out a massive breath once she was safely in the passenger seat of Snow's car.Snow glanced over at her. "You okay? You look awful. Do you need to call in sick to the university and get some rest?""I'm fine. Our research group's fieldwork phase is wrapping up, so I have to push through. I'm taking the students out to Veridian Ridge in a few days to collect fossils."