The night grew deeper. Lying in Kerr's arms, Nicole watched the beautiful, calm, moonlit night outside
her window. It was as if a violent storm had not come to disturb the world last night.
It was late, but Nicole was still wide awake, listening to Kerr's steady breathing.
"Why are you still up?"
Kerr gently stirred and kissed the top of Nicole's head.
"Have you been up? How did you know I wasn't asleep?"
Nicole tilted her head to look at Kerr whose eyes were halfway closed.
Kerr was half-awake at best. She had tried not to wake him up.
"I can't sleep with you still up. I can tell you're awake from your breathing."
The woman Kerr loved was by his side. Of course he could feel her breathing. People said that when
you were in love with someone, you would be able to memorize everything about them including the
way they breathed. Kerr knew that now to be true.
"Can you really or you're just sweet talking me?"
Nicole started fiddling with Kerr's hair.
"I've never sweet talked anyone but you."
Kerr looked at Nicole seriously.
He had never sweet talked anyone because he did not have to. Women were constantly throwing
themselves at him, but he had never been especially interested in any of them. Nicole was different.
She held his heart in her hand.
"Then I will expect your sweet words from now on."
Nicole had never asked Kerr about his past, but she knew about the constant parade of women that
circled him. She could not change the past, but she could make the present and the future wonderful
for both herself and Kerr.
She only needed to be in Kerr's present and future.
"You got them," he promised.
Nicole turned over and rested her head against Kerr's chest.
"You will be under a lot of pressure soon. Are you sure you want to go through that to be with me?"
Kerr whispered.
That was a problem he anticipated. He would protect Nicole at any cost, but he needed to make sure
she was prepared.
"I understand that your identity and position will complicate our relationship, but I'm not afraid. I'll
choose you no matter what.
And I'll choose you because you're you, not because you're the CEO of the Gu Group."
Nicole smiled as she felt Kerr's steady heartbeat break into a full gallop.
She wondered if he got butterflies in his stomach the way she got butterflies in hers.
"Then I'll make sure you don't regret choosing me, CEO or not."
Kerr tightened his arms around Nicole and closed his eyes.
His heart swelled with joy. He finally found someone he could share all his happiness, anger, and
sorrow with, someone he did not have to hide anything from.
Kerr had never felt this at peace in his life.
The night went on in sweet tranquility, and Kerr savored every minute of it.
The next morning, the sun was already high and its rays flooded the ward, but Kerr and Nicole were
still asleep.
Jared was pressing his ear against Nicole's door when Jay walked by.
"What are you doing, Uncle Jared? Are you eavesdropping?"
Jay covered his mouth and snickered.
"Hush! They're probably still sleeping. Come on, let's get you some breakfast."
Jared was about to grab Jay, but Jay dodged him.
"It's time for Mommy to have breakfast too. I need to wake her up! Besides, I need to check if Uncle Gu
has kept his promise!"
Jay opened the door and ran into Nicole's ward with Jared at his heels.
"Jay, wait! Don't!"
Jared tried to stop Jay, but Jay was too fast. Jared stopped at the doorway.
Kerr would not get angry with Jay, but he would tear Jared a new one for letting the boy slip into the
room.
Jay climbed into Nicole's bed with difficulty. When he was about to lift the quilt, Kerr's eyes flew open.
He immediately sat up and grabbed Jay. Kerr had always been vigilant. The moment Jay climbed onto
the bed, he had already sensed it.
"Kerr..."
Nicole stirred awake and reached for Kerr. She opened her eyes and saw Jay sitting in Kerr's lap.
"Ah!"
Nicole grabbed the quilt and clutched it tightly on her chest.
She was naked under the quilt and so was Kerr. She did not put on her pajamas after taking a shower
last night per Kerr's request.
"Why are you screaming, Mommy? Uncle Gu told me yesterday that you would give me a younger
brother to play with. I want to discuss it with you. I don't want a younger brother. Can I have a younger
sister?"
Jay looked at Nicole with wide eyes full of expectation.
"What?"
Despite being startled by Jay's presence, Nicole was still a bit sleepy. She was puzzled by Jay's words.
With a big smile on his face, Kerr stroked Jay's hair.
"You will have a brother and a sister, and you must protect them."
Kerr did not mind having many children. He and Nicole would have more children in the future, and Jay
would love them like family.
He would treat his children and Jay equally no matter how many he and Nicole had.
"I will, but don't let Mommy have too many babies. I don't want her to get tired,"
Jay mused.
Nicole felt stressed.
"A brother and a sister? I don't want to."
She lay on the bed and pulled the quilt over her head.
"Don't worry, Mommy. When my little brother or sister arrives, I won't take you from them, but for now,
can I stay in bed with you, please?"
Jay struggled to get out of Kerr's arms, but Kerr did not let go.
"You're not a baby anymore, Jay. You can't sleep in the same bed as your mommy anymore."
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