Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Hey, what's with the daydreaming? Hand me the water glass."

All was well until Leda spoke, and just like that-crash! The perfect harmony shattered.

York's mouth twitched, "Can I make a suggestion?"

"...Go ahead." Leda took a sip of her ice water, instantly feeling refreshed.

"Could you maybe soften your tone when talking to me? We're a couple, not enemies. You know, my mom would worry." "Worry about what?"

"Worry about her son being bullied by you!"

Leda was speechless.

"Should I speak like this then, honey? ~Do you think your mom would like this dress I picked out? It took me forever to choose~"

York felt numb all over: "Actually... maybe keep the edge. It's better that way."

The edge felt more normal.

Whenever Leda's voice went soft, he felt like he was a second away from being choked to death.

"Say 'edge' one more time, I dare you?"

York: "Not edgy, not at all."

But the word 'edge' was still there, wasn't it?!

quickly applied

"Alright, let's go."

was stunned: "That

it look natural? I'll have you know, this is called the no-makeup makeup look. It's designed to fool guys like you into thinking I'm not wearing any. Pretty clever, huh?" York, who had been

like every word was

the time they arrived at the Gibson Mansion, it was almost

finally saw her son's car. She hurried over with a smile to greet

of the

in, come in. It's too hot out here." She warmly ushered her

What about

to work late last night, overslept this morning, then took forever choosing an outfit and

barely

playing the sweet

with sugar, a stark contrast to how she

en

was doing this

Hmph!

"Oh, dear, that's no trouble at all. You must be exhausted from

can I do for

ove

also call the spa for us? We'll

that work for you,

have no problem

had been ages since her