It was already eight in the morning—Nathaniel Fu had never slept in so late.
There's an old saying: "Spring nights are short and the sun rises high; the king won't attend court at dawn." He was dangerously close to becoming a tyrant.
As he stirred, the girl nestled in his arms moved too. Celia was still asleep, her delicate hands wrapped around his firm waist. When he reached for his phone, her soft body instinctively curled even closer to him.
There was still a trace of tenderness in Nathaniel's eyes from the night before. He silenced the call, pulled her into his chest, and closed his eyes to drift off again.
Half an hour later, Celia woke naturally.
She stared at the ceiling in a daze, her eyes clouded with confusion. Where was she?
A deep, magnetic voice cut through the silence beside her."Awake?"
Celia turned her head—and saw Nathaniel Fu's handsome face.
It was him.
In an instant, the memories of last night rushed back. It hadn't been a dream. She had really slept with Nathaniel Fu.
Her mind went completely blank. She had told herself it would be the last time she ever acted as a substitute… that she would walk away from this man for good. But then—
Seeing her panicked expression, Nathaniel curled his lips into a lazy, mocking smile."You don't need to get up so early anymore. Stay and sleep in with me."
So that's why she always left early… because by morning, she had to become Celia again.
Celia bolted upright. She was overwhelmed. Why did he sleep with her—Celia—the one he hated the most?
Nathaniel got up and walked into the shower with his long, lean strides.
Celia scrambled to dress, her face pale. Just then, a soft ringtone rang through the room—Nathaniel's phone.
The name "Sylvia" lit up the screen.
It was her—his wife—calling. A harsh reminder of his identity. Celia froze in place, feeling ashamed.
When Nathaniel came out, he saw her staring at the phone. Sylvia was calling again.
He walked over, glanced at the screen, and hung up.
There was a knock at the door.
"Mr. Fu," Secretary Song's voice came from outside.
"Come in."
Secretary Song stepped inside and handed something to Nathaniel."This is what you asked for, sir."
Nathaniel took it and turned to Celia, holding out his hand."Take this."
In his palm were two small, white pills.
Celia looked at him. "What is this?"
"Morning-after pills."
Her body stiffened.
"Celia, don't tell me you thought I'd want to have a child with you." His voice was flat and cutting. "Take it. I don't want any accidents."
"And don't mention what happened last night to anyone—especially not my wife. Got it?"
His voice was cold, slicing into her like a blade.
They were both adults. Celia understood perfectly.
She took the pills and, under his watchful eyes, swallowed them without a word.
"It's done, Mr. Fu," she said quietly. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
She turned and walked away.
Nathaniel stared at her back, his expression unreadable.
"About Miss Su…" Secretary Song spoke carefully.
Nathaniel said nothing.
Just then, slender footsteps returned.
Celia walked back in.
"Miss Su," Secretary Song blinked, "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, I just forgot one more thing."
She marched up to Nathaniel and flung a small platinum object squarely at his face.
The impact was sharp and unapologetic.
"There's a thing called a condom, Mr. Fu," she said coldly. "If you don't want to get someone pregnant next time, use one. And take care of your own damn offspring."