When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 195

She probably wasn't ready. It was all happening too fast. She wasn't sure if this was something she wanted or not. After all, in her previous multi-year relationship, she had never engaged in anything overly intimate.

Still, Yosef continued to hold her from behind, her body nestled in his embrace. The feeling was surprisingly comforting.

Was she overthinking things? In such a short time, could she be starting to... develop feelings for this man?

No. She couldn't. She wouldn't. They had agreed not to expect any romantic feelings from this marriage, just mutual respect. She couldn't be the first to break the rules.

Henrietta repeated this to herself over and over. A partnership of mutual respect. That meant fulfilling all the duties of a husband and wife. Responsibility, obligation, mutual care, emotional support, and having each other's backs. Raising children together. Staying together through thick and thin, their fortunes intertwined. It had everything.

Everything except, perhaps, romantic love. It was more like a familial bond, an alliance. A relationship that would grow over time. Two good people who, even without love, could be very... happy.

Henrietta tried to fall back asleep, but she couldn't. She couldn't help but carefully, quietly, try to shift her body. But the man behind her simply pulled her more firmly into his arms, his deep voice rumbling, "Henrietta, don't move."

She froze immediately. But...

"Um, Mr. Nash..." she finally ventured. "It's a little... hot."

It wasn't a little hot; it was scorching. That... part of him...

Yosef seemed to let out a low chuckle, his voice a deep, rich baritone. "It'll pass. Go to sleep."

Henrietta was speechless. She was starting to sweat. Was he a human furnace? Nevertheless, she obeyed. Sleep it was.

Eventually, she drifted off into a fitful but peaceful rest.

She woke to daylight.

The moment she opened her eyes, Henrietta flushed with embarrassment. Last night she had been as stiff as a board. Now, she was clinging to Yosef, one leg thrown over his waist.

Henrietta blinked and quickly sat up.

Yosef's voice followed. "You're awake?"

She turned to see he was also sitting up. His pajama top was in disarray, half-open to reveal a strong, well-defined chest. Those muscles were... impressive.

Henrietta's face burned, and she scrambled out of bed. "I'm going to wash up."

After freshening up, she felt calmer and walked out of the bathroom. He had gone to bed so late; wasn't he going to sleep in?

As she entered the bedroom, she was about to speak when she saw him holding a small knife. She froze as he made a swift cut on his own finger. Her heart skipped a beat.

Henrietta's eyebrows rose, but she nodded immediately. "Okay."

They had breakfast together and then drove to the hospital. Thanks to the VIP service, everything was quick and efficient, and they got the results in no time.

Looking at the report, Henrietta felt the whole process was... well, she wouldn't say it was unnecessary, but it was certainly thorough.

In short, they were both in excellent health. However, one section of the report was a questionnaire about sexual history. It was optional; the patient could choose not to answer, as it was highly personal. It was just a formality.

But when Henrietta saw Yosef's entry for that section, she was astonished. It read: None.

Her eyes widened. She stared at it for several seconds, making sure she had read it correctly. It really said "None." She looked at Yosef in shock, whispering, "You..."

She trailed off, unsure how to continue. But he was looking at her, waiting.

Blushing, she managed to finish. "You and Ms. Leland..."

"She was just a kid," Yosef said. "And... I was extremely busy back then. I had just moved my primary operations overseas. There was almost no time. She spent most of her time... doing her own thing."

Henrietta understood.