I Told My Domineering Husband I Never Enjoyed It Chapter 07

I Told My Domineering Husband I Never Enjoyed It Chapter 07

Rhys had always lived by a strict routine. Especially after he got married.

Every night, he’d fall asleep with Seren in his arms.

He grazed her hair, her skin, lulled by the soft rhythm of her breathing until sleep finally pulled

him under.

But ever since Seren had turned cold toward him, sleep had eluded him.

Tonight was even worse.

Somewhere in that haze between wakefulness and sleep, images surfaced.

He couldn’t tell if they were memories… or dreams.

Rhys walked into the warm, cozy bedroom for what felt like the thousandth time.

Just as expected, the girl was at her desk, chin propped in one hand, dozing off.

A few stubborn strands of hair stuck up on top of her head.

He was quiet for a moment.

“Seren.”

She jolted awake and spun around, flashing him a sheepish grin. “Rhys.”

He rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Then sat beside her and picked up the math test she’d finished the night before.

After grading it, for the first time in his life, Rhys genuinely questioned everything.

He pulled out a sheet of scratch paper and started explaining problem number three.

Halfway through, he turned his head. Her eyes were closed again.

Rhys just looked at her.

When she realized he had stopped talking, she frowned in her sleep.

A second later, she startled awake.

The instant she met his emotionless stare, she went completely rigid.

With a miserable expression, she slowly held out one hand. Ready to be punished.

“I didn’t bring the ruler today,” Rhys said evenly.

“If you’re this tired, we’ll deal with it next time.”

He placed the notes he’d organized for her on the desk.

Then stood to leave without another glance.

“I’m sorry, Rhys…”

“My, um… I couldn’t sleep last night.”

Her timid apology drifted after him.

A flimsy excuse. Rhys didn’t buy it for a second.

She’d probably stayed up late reading novels or gaming again.

He never slowed his steps.

Just before closing the bedroom door, he said, “You’re the one taking the college entrance exams.

“Not me.”

Truth was, he’d long since gotten used to this side of Seren.

He’d tutored her since they were kids. Almost nothing he taught ever stayed in her head.

She probably hated seeing him just as much as he disliked tutoring her. But their parents…

“Rhys? What are you doing down here?”

He looked over.

Mrs. Hollister and Mrs. Carrington were chatting happily on the living room sofa.

His mother looked surprised to see him.

“She had trouble sleeping last night,” Rhys said, his voice level. “She needs her rest today.”

Mrs. Carrington smiled warmly.

“You’re always so good to Seren.”

Rhys frowned ever so slightly.

The next second, his mother laughed.

“We were just talking about this, actually.”

“Once Seren finishes her college entrance exams, why don’t we get you two engaged?”

“No rush on the wedding, of course-that can wait.”

Unlike Seren, Rhys had seen this coming.

Still-actually hearing it said out loud felt… strange.

He stayed silent for too long.

His mother seemed to understand.

She turned to Mrs. Carrington with a smile.

“We’ll head home now. We can talk more on the phone.”

The moment they stepped outside, Rhys spoke, “No.”

His mother glanced at him. She didn’t ask why.

“You’ve thought this through?”

He nodded. She accepted his answer surprisingly easily.

“Well, you have always been better suited for someone a bit more… grounded.”

“Seren needs a boy her own age-someone who can laugh with her, goof around with her, keep up

with her.”

His mother sighed.

“Honestly, if her mother hadn’t wanted the match so badly, I never would’ve brought it up.”

“I love Seren like she’s my own daughter.”

“You being her big brother was one thing, but if you two actually ended up together? That would’ve

been… hard on her.”

That night, Rhys couldn’t sleep.

He tossed and turned, but every time he closed his eyes, he saw them-Seren’s big, round, bright eyes gazing back at him.

Whenever she looked at him, there was always that quiet eagerness to please. A little fear.

But beneath it all, something even she didn’t seem aware of.

A mischievous, lazy, carefree streak. A little troublemaker.

Rhys thought to himself, a little wryly.

But still… she was just a kid. How had she already reached the age for engagement talks?

Unable to sleep, he got out of bed.

He sat at his desk. Once again, he organized Seren’s study notes for her.

At one point, he looked out the window.

His face perfectly composed-but his mind was anything but.

His mother’s words echoed in his head.

“Seren needs someone her own age.”

Her own age? Weren’t he and Seren close in age?

But then it hit him-back when he’d been competing in high school academic tournaments, Seren

had still been in elementary school.

The realization made his chest tighten painfully.

A strange feeling spread through him, louder than the silence of the night.

But Seren was an adult now.

Rhys slowly shut his eyes.

And for the first time in his life, he reversed a decision he had already made.