Xia Yuqing stood in front of the mirror, her fingers moving swiftly to fix her hair. Her cheeks were still faintly flushed, lips slightly swollen, but she ignored the lingering signs. She dabbed a touch of powder across her face, smoothing it with practiced ease, then touched up her lipstick with a steady hand.
There was no room for hesitation.
She worked fast, covering every trace of the hickeys Lu Jinchen had left scattered along her neck and collarbone like territorial marks.
With a practiced tug, she adjusted the neckline of her gown, making sure the fabric fell just right to hide what makeup couldn't. Then she smoothed it down her sides, ensuring not a single wrinkle remained. When she was finally satisfied, she leaned in a little closer, inspecting her reflection in the mirror.
No one should be able to tell what had happened mere minutes ago. No one should know that she had just been thoroughly, almost possessively, claimed by her husband, fiercely and passionately.
