“What’s wrong?” The door opened slightly, and Lina peeked her head out. “Why are you hiding outside to make a
call?”
Zuko adjusted his smile to appear natural and casually draped his arm around her shoulder, guiding her inside.
“Lina, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Lina froze, meeting his gaze.
While he held her hand, she could feel the warmth of his palm, but the intensity in his eyes left her bewildered. Her
heart skipped a beat, and everything around them seemed to fade into silence.
Zuko licked his lips, his voice low and husky, pausing between each word. “My name isn’t Zeke Hamerton, and all
the strange occurrences that happened to you after coming to Southeast Aciatic are connected to me…
“Lina, I’ve been protecting you in my way.”
His hand gently caressed her face, tracing down to her collarbone, where he retrieved the necklace with a star
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtpendant from her neckline.
“This is the star I gave you,” he said, looking at her with warmth and adoration. “In truth, I am the star you can
make wishes upon.
“Lina, whatever wish you have, I’ll make it come true for you.
“But there’s been a recent unexpected development… I no longer want to hide my identity from you. I want to
proudly hold your hand, introduce you to my family, and tell the world that Zuko Hamerton’s wife is Lina Jenner!”
Lina stared at him, her eyes fixed as if struck by lightning, leaving her mind in a daze.
Her heart raced, and her breathing grew erratic. She felt as though her soul had departed her body, floating
aimlessly, devoid of any sense of direction or perception.
“Lina? Lina!” Zuko grew concerned. “What’s the matter? Did I scare you?”
As Zuko attempted to pull her into his embrace again, Lina abruptly pushed him away as if recoiling from a
scorching flame. She sprang up from the sofa and took a step back.
“Lina…”
“Don’t come near me!” Lina exclaimed. “Let me collect myself for a moment…”
“I’m sorry.” Zuko’s eyes brimmed with remorse. “I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid of this reaction, so
I remained silent.”
“Then… why are you telling me now?” she asked.
“Because I fear you’ll be hurt.”
Zuko took a tentative step forward, wanting to approach Lina, but she continued to retreat until her back pressed
against the wall.
Zuko stopped before further explaining, “Lina, unforeseen circumstances have arisen, catching me off guard, and I
want to be honest with you. Moreover, I believe that true partners should be sincere with one another. Keeping my
identity hidden from you was unfair.”
Lina’s mind was in disarray. All she could feel was the relentless pounding of her heart.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe claimed to be Zuko Hamerton. Did that mean he was the eldest son of the Hamertons of Centrolis—the
Hamerton heir?
He wielded considerable influence in Southeast Aciatic, which explained her smooth access to the palace and the
hotel manager’s terror upon seeing him.
The presidential suite she currently occupied, was it all thanks to him?
So she was involved with a powerful celebrity?
Lina felt as though she was walking on air, her body no longer under her control. She nearly slid down the wall,
gasping for breath.
Lina stammered, “Z-Zeke, don’t play a prank on me… I can’t believe… I can’t believe this is real!”
Zuko paused, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
While others perceived him as a privileged child born with a silver spoon, he simply wanted to be an ordinary
husband who could grow old with Lina. Her reaction shattered him.
In front of Lina, he longed for a relationship devoid of servitude and subservience, where she felt comfortable and
equal.