"H-have a safe trip home, CEO Bai!" The security guards by the entrance inclined their heads as the greeted her goodbye.

Lillie acknowledge them with a curt nod before hopping inside Ethan's black car. There, she faced Ethan who was looking at her with a light glare; clearly haven't yet moved on from her previous teasings. ​​

Ethan had the urge to wipe that feigned innocent expression on her with something that will make that face turn bright red. However, that'll have to wait when they get home.

Inside the dim car, the two fell into a comfortable silence. Lillie propped her elbow on the door as her chin rested on her palm.

The car moved at a phase that's neither slow nor fast; enough for Lillie to enjoy the city's view from the ground. Watching absentmindedly as they pass brightly lit buildings, shops and stalls. Pedestrians packed the area, several who were eager to get to their homes and rest, while some were planning to go out to have fun with friends.

Lillie watched a group of students, who're still in their uniforms, walk side-by-side, boisterously laughing with one another without care to the adults' judgmental stares.

How she wished she had a carefree life; without having to look at her back to check if someone was after her head.

Ethan perceived Lillie's melancholy. That sigh she made was not out of contentment.

"Something troubling you?" He asked worriedly.

"Hm? No, nothing of the sort." She denied nonchalantly. But Ethan wasn't convinced it was as she said.

"I know that sigh wasn't because you were enjoying the view or ride." He pressed further, hoping to ease her troubles by sharing it with him. "Tell me, what caused that unhappiness on your face."

Lillie averted her eyes from the window to stare at him in surprise. She was certain she didn't let her emotions slip from her voice or taint her face.

Since he seemed to finally have unlock the ability to read her, Lillie didn't see any problem in answering truthfully. "I've been thinking of disbanding the organization and leaving the Underworld...in the near future."

This caught Ethan by surprise. "Why?" Was the word that automatically left his mouth.

One can never completely leave the Underworld once you've entered it. Ethan knew firsthand; that when he left, others wouldn't rest until they found Vermillion Dragon.

Ethan might as well thank She Gu for stealing that identity because the suspicions of him being Vermillion Dragon subsided. But, he still didn't like the fact that the organization he build using his blood and sweat would be taken advantage by a greedy assh*le who had no rights for its ownership.

Don't get him wrong, he love the idea of Lillie leaving the Underworld. It means that she'll finally be spared from danger, bloodshed, unnecessary death.

But that would only happen if someone else takes her place. If she just left like what he did, enemies would go after her in a frenzy search.

No one knew White Bird's identity, so no one would've guessed that there has been changed in leadership.

"I hoped nothing more than to have a normal life..." She solemnly said with a distant look. "With your and our children."

Lillie blinked when Ethan stopped the car on a roadside in the middle of a quiet highway.

"Why did we—" Lillie turned to Ethan and asked, but her question has been cut off by a pair of flesh pressing themselves on her lips.

"...?!"

Her face burst into a dark shade of red at Ethan's sudden affectionate gesture. Eventually, her eyes slowly closed and accepted the heartwarming kiss.

All of her deep thoughts were placed at the back of her mind, as the only thing that occupies it right now was the feeling of being secured by her lover's embrace and the tender kiss he lavish.

"Ethan..." Lillie softly called his name when their lips parted.

Ethan looked at his beloved's groggy expression. Her half-lidded eyes, red cheeks, and parted lips caused the fire burning in his heart to grow.

He couldn't help but claim those sweet lips once more.

It seems he didn't have to wait until they get home to make his wife's face turn bright red.