The Belated Truth

In a loose sense, Lia was my first love.

We came to Riverside City this time to buy a house in Lia's hometown.

She said she wanted to be closer to her parents in the future, so I agreed.

My dad passed away when I was young, and my mom lived happily with my sister and her husband.

My mom said, "Luka, if you really step out, treat the girl sincerely, even if she's not up to the mark, I won't mind as long as you're happy!"

"These days, it's rare to find a girl who remains pure until the wedding day, Luka, cherish it!"

The girl my mom mentioned, who remained pure until the wedding day, was Lia.

Although she always said she was too ugly to meet my parents, I secretly showed her photos and various videos to my mom.

At first glance, my mom thought the plain-looking Lia was the ideal daughter-in-law in her mind.

And I always respected Lia's wishes not to overstep her boundaries.

She said, "Luka, I love you. If you love me, save this moment for our wedding day."

So, after nearly a year of dating, traveling with her all over the place, I considered myself not the most charming or humorous, but still a very charming man.

But she never showed any desire in front of me, at most holding hands and giving me a peck on the cheek.

I just thought she, like me, had never been intimate with anyone.

Girls were different from boys after all.

And I endured, especially every time we shared a bed, it was torture, the temptation right there, and I had to sleep alone!

Lia came back after answering the phone, her face pale.

"Is your friend's child seriously ill? Why didn't you go to the hospital in the middle of the night?"

I asked casually.

"You don't understand, she's a single parent, panicked and at a loss when something like this happens, that's why she called me."

Her explanation was flawless.

I raised an eyebrow, took one last drag of my cigarette, and forcefully extinguished it.

She wrinkled her nose at the smell of smoke filling the room, her already furrowed brows raised even higher.

"Why are you smoking again? I can't stand the smell of smoke!"

She changed the subject.

Whenever we were together in the past, I never touched a cigarette.

Under Lia's influence, I hardly ever smoked, except when I was troubled.

The contractor secretly had his secretary put two cartons of pricey cigarettes in my car before leaving the company today.

I was in a hurry to see her, so I didn't deal with it.

I took them since they were given. I just bought a wedding house, and thus I could take them to the town to entertain my parents-in-law.

Who would have thought, I ended up smoking them myself?

My rebelliousness arose, not as gentle with her as usual.

"Woke up by the noise, couldn't sleep, so had a couple of smokes."

She pursed her lips at my words, but began to pack her things.

I didn't understand, what trouble was she going to cause now?

"In the future, don't touch my phone unless it's necessary!"

Sigh!

Before I even asked her who the wild man was and whose baby, she took the initiative to confront me.

It seemed that over the past year, I had spoiled her endlessly.

"Do you have any secrets in your phone that your dear husband can't handle?"

I deliberately emphasized the term 'dear husband,' and sure enough, her expression became even more intense, yet she didn't show a hint of panic.

I couldn't help but wonder if I was overthinking things. Maybe she was really just talking about her close friend?

"Is this what you call respecting me?"

"When have I ever disrespected you?"

"You take my phone and even answer my calls!"

She stared at me intently, as if trying to read something from my face.

I raised the corner of my mouth and chuckled lightly, "Isn't it normal for a husband to answer his wife's phone call?"