As sunlight poured into the bedroom, Sophie slowly woke up, a gentle smile forming on her lips. Today marked a new beginning—her first day at Yan's Group. The idea made her both nervous and excited, but she felt calm knowing she wasn't facing it alone.
After getting ready, she stood in front of the mirror and dressed carefully in her neatly pressed work outfit—a smart blouse tucked into a fitted skirt, modest heels, and light makeup. She took a moment to smooth her clothes and adjust her collar, determined to step into the company with quiet confidence. Just as she reached for her earrings, a pair of warm arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her into a comforting, familiar hug.
Leonard leaned in close, his voice low and playful as his breath brushed her ear. "I didn't think my wife could look amazing in everything," he murmured with a smirk. Sophie chuckled, leaning back into him. "Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Yan," she said with a grin, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "I'm excited… but a little nervous. It's my first time working in a place like this." Leonard's smile faded slightly, a flicker of possessiveness in his gaze as he held her tighter. "If any guy so much as looks at you the wrong way, tell me right away," he said seriously. Sophie turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "Calm down, CEO Yan," she teased. "I'll just say I'm already married—to a ridiculously handsome man."
Leonard's serious look melted into a warm grin, his eyes filled with amusement. "That's my girl," he said, tapping her nose lightly before tucking her hair behind her ear. His affection was gentle and steady, full of quiet love. Sophie laughed and gave him a quick hug around the neck. In that moment, with sunlight spilling through the room, she felt ready—truly ready. This wasn't just a new chapter. It was the start of something meaningful, and having Leonard by her side gave her a strength she didn't know she had.
Later, as they stepped out of the house, Leonard led her to his sleek black car, the sunlight gleaming off its surface. He opened the passenger door with a smile and waited until she was settled before taking the wheel. The engine purred to life, and they drove off smoothly. Sophie glanced at Leonard—calm, focused, quietly strong—and felt her nerves settle just a little. This was it. Her first day of work.
When they arrived at Yan's Group building, Leonard stopped the car at the front entrance. He turned to her, gently brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. "You'll do great," he said softly. "Just be yourself."
With Leonard's encouraging words still echoing in her heart, Sophie stepped into the grand office lobby and was instantly overwhelmed by its scale and energy. Tall marble columns stood on both sides, and people in smart suits walked confidently with purpose. She held her bag strap tightly, nerves rising. Can she really belong here? Everyone seemed so capable, so put-together—while she felt like just Sophie Lin, a newcomer among experienced professionals.
Before she could get too lost in self-doubt, a cheerful voice called out, pulling her back. "Hi there! You must be the new hire!" Sophie turned to see a friendly woman with shoulder-length hair and a bright smile walking over. "I'm May Li. Welcome to Yan's Group!"
Relief softened Sophie's tension, and she returned the smile. "Yes, I'm Sophie Lin. Nice to meet you."
"Great! Come with me," May said, gesturing for Sophie to follow. "I'll show you around before you meet your supervisor."
As they walked through the open-plan office, May pointed out departments and greeted passing coworkers. Her relaxed, upbeat energy helped ease Sophie's nerves. When they paused by the marketing area, May leaned in with a playful whisper. "Quick tip—our CEO, Mr. Leonard Yan? He's just come back to work, and the ladies here are obsessed. Every time he walks by, it's like watching a k-drama moment unfold."
She winked. "Don't even try. The competition's wild—and he's totally out of reach."
Sophie nearly laughed on the spot—if only they knew the truth. But keeping her cool, she simply smiled and said, "Oh, I'm married."
May's eyes widened. "Really? You're so young—and so pretty!"
"It was a family arrangement," Sophie replied with a light shrug.
May's face turned sympathetic. "An arranged marriage? That sounds tough. I kind of feel sorry for you."
But Sophie just shook her head, her smile calm and quietly proud. "Actually… I'm really lucky. My husband's a wonderful man. I'm truly happy."
May looked surprised for a second, then grinned. "Sounds like you hit the jackpot! Now I'm the one who's jealous."
Sophie let out a soft laugh. She had come here as just another employee, hiding who she really was—but nothing could hide the happiness she felt inside.
Before Sophie could speak, a tall, well-dressed woman walked over with confidence, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. "Sophie Lin?" she asked coolly, her voice firm and challenging.
May immediately straightened, her tone respectful. "Sophie, this is Vivian Xia, our department manager."
Sophie quickly stood tall and offered a polite nod. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Xia. Today's my first day, and I hope to learn a lot from you."
Vivian crossed her arms, eyeing Sophie with thinly veiled doubt. "I don't know who helped you get this job," she said bluntly, "but let's be clear. I don't care about your connections. If you're not capable, I'll make sure you're out."
May shifted uncomfortably beside her, clearly used to Vivian's harsh approach. But Sophie stayed calm. "Understood, Ms. Xia," she replied evenly. "I'm here to earn my place, not depend on anyone else. You'll see my effort through my work."
Vivian stared at her a second longer, then scoffed and walked off.
Once she was gone, May leaned in and whispered, "Don't let it bother you. Ms. Xia's had a thing for Mr. Yan for years. She gets like this every time a pretty new girl joins—especially now that he's CEO again."
Sophie gave a small, amused smile. So that was it—Vivian harshness wasn't personal. But if anyone found out she was Leonard Yan's wife, things could get a lot worse. She wouldn't just be disliked—she'd be targeted. Sophie made up her mind then: staying low-key was the smart move. For now, she'd blend in, keep her head down, and prove herself through hard work. She didn't want to rely on Leonard's name—she wanted to earn her place beside him on her own.
That evening, after a tiring first day, Sophie was still at the office when her phone buzzed. A message lit up the screen—it was from Leonard.
Leonard: Are you done for the day? Want me to come pick you up?
She stared at the message for a moment, then typed back with a small smile.
Sophie: Thank you, but I think I'll go home on my own today. I want to try taking the train—just… live like normal people for a bit.
There was a short pause before Leonard replied.
Leonard: Alright. See you at home soon
That evening, Sophie came home feeling drained. But the moment she stepped inside, the comfort of home wrapped around her—and so did Leonard's smile. He was on the couch with a book, but the second he heard the door, his focus shifted entirely to her. His eyes lit up as he set the book down, clearly happy to see her. Sophie smiled back, kicked off her shoes, and walked over, already feeling better just being near him.
Sitting beside him, she tilted her head and teased, "I didn't know my husband was such a hot topic at the office."
Leonard raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Jealous?" he asked, pulling her into his arms.
Sophie laughed softly and leaned into him. "Of course I am," she said, pouting just a little as her fingers traced lazy circles on his chest.
Leonard chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You don't have to be," he murmured gently. "The only woman I see is you."
Sophie's heart softened at his words, but curiosity still tugged at her. She looked up at him, eyes searching. "With so many women around you," she asked gently, "why didn't you ever date anyone before?"
Leonard's gaze didn't waver. He gently ran his fingers through her hair. "Because I was waiting for someone who could truly touch my heart," he said quietly. "And when I met you, Sophie—I knew. You were the one."
Sophie blinked, a little caught off guard by his honesty. Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked away, half smiling. "Liar," she muttered. "We met back in high school. Nothing happened. I bet you don't even remember me."
Leonard chuckled, shaking his head. "I was young back then," he said with a small grin. "That version of me doesn't count."
The room fell quiet for a moment. Sophie's smile faded, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke again. "Leonard… if one day you stop loving me… if someone better comes along… just tell me. I won't hold you back."
Leonard stilled, then pulled her tightly into his arms. The teasing vanished from his expression, replaced by something fierce and steady. "Why would you say that?" he asked, his voice low and thick with emotion.
Sophie bit her lip, eyes lowered. He gently cupped her face, lifting it so she had to look at him.
"There won't be anyone else, Sophie," he said with quiet certainty. "It's always been you. It will always be you."
His words settled between them like a vow—simple, strong, and true.
"It's just… today was my first time working in such a big company," Sophie said softly, her voice a little shaky. She sat curled up on the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Leonard watched her closely, concern written all over his face.
"I saw so many smart, confident women," she went on, eyes distant. "And I realized… I'm just ordinary. I don't come from a powerful background. I was the only illegitimate daughter in the Lin family." Her voice grew even quieter. "You're amazing, Leonard. Sometimes I feel like… I'm holding you back."
Leonard's expression hardened instantly. He reached out and cupped her cheek gently, his thumb brushing away a tear. "Don't say that," he said firmly, yet tenderly. "You don't need to compare yourself to anyone. To me, you're already perfect."
Then, without another word, he leaned in and kissed her—slow, deep, and full of reassurance. Sophie melted into the kiss, her hands clutching his shoulders as if grounding herself in his warmth. In that moment, her doubts faded, replaced by the quiet certainty of his love.
When he finally pulled away, Leonard rested his forehead gently against Sophie's, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them. "I love you, Sophie," he whispered, steady and sure, like he was carving the words into her heart. Her eyes shimmered as she smiled, whispering back, "I love you too, Leonard."
In one smooth motion, he lifted her into his arms, holding her with strength and care that made her feel completely safe. He carried her to the bed and kissed her again—tender and full of emotion. His hands moved slowly along her body, each touch filled with love and quiet reassurance. Every kiss, every gentle caress told her the same thing: she was the only one he'd ever love.
As moonlight spilled softly into the room, Leonard looked at Sophie, his gaze warm and intense. He brushed his fingers across her cheek with delicate care. "You're so soft," he murmured, voice low and full of affection. He leaned in, kissing her shoulder gently, his lips trailing warmth wherever they touched. His hands moved with purpose but tenderness, his every action a silent promise: that he would always love her, always protect her, and never let her go.
Sophie's breath caught, her heart pounding as she felt the closeness between them—the quiet love in every touch, every kiss. She closed her eyes, melting into his arms, letting his warmth and presence ease every doubt inside her. Leonard held her tighter, his embrace tender and full of care. His lips brushed gently across her skin, each kiss sending a soft shiver through her, reminding her again and again just how much he loved her.
Her breathing grew uneven, her hands clinging to him as the space between them disappeared. "Leonard…" she whispered, her voice barely there, filled with emotions too big for words.
Hearing her, Leonard pulled her even closer. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her cheek—soft, reassuring, full of quiet devotion. Sophie's fingers gripped him tighter, her heart overflowing with love. Around them, the night fell quiet, the world fading away as they stayed wrapped in each other—safe, warm, and completely in love.