Sophie's ears perked up when she heard Leland call her name, just like her mother.
Sophia, not Sophie.
Ahh… of course! Her husband always called her Sophia, not Sophie, because he was Lee and that was how Sophie was called at home by her doting parents. It was the name that Leland got used to using.
"These are not sad tears…" Sophie confessed.
Suddenly, all the walls between her and the duke seemed to vanish. She was feeling awkward earlier because she didn't know how she could talk to him. It was so hard to confess how she felt about him because the man was quiet and distant.
However, none of those mattered anymore. Suddenly, Sophie felt like she found a piece of her that had gone missing for years after her parents died and she moved in with her abusive relatives.
It was the warmth of a family. Yes, it's true that Nicholas was her family too after they got married, but the connection she had with Lee was much deeper than that. He was her connection to her past and her late parents.
Seeing him before her now felt like seeing the past again, when everything was right and safe… and filled with love.
Leland was dazed when Sophie told him she was crying not because she was sad, but because…. she was happy?
She was really happy to know that Leland was… Lee?
"How have you been?" Sophie pursed her lips and touched his cheek. "Are you okay?"
Leland closed his eyes and enjoyed his mate's touch on his cheek. Even though it was covered by a mask, he could feel the touch as if it was directly on his skin.
He took in a deep breath and a small smile unknowingly decorated his face. The man was relieved… and happy.
"I am glad your tears are not sad tears," he said softly after he opened his eyes. Their eyes locked and both were dazed. This was the happiest day in the Alpha's life. He smiled more broadly. "I am okay. Now that you're here with me, everything is fine."
Sophie furrowed her brows, still looking at his face that was covered in a mask. She wanted to ask if Leland was okay since she heard about him being disfigured.
Knowing that he was the Alpha of his pack, she immediately thought about the countless scenarios where the man was injured in fights or missions and it damaged his face so much, he now had to use a mask.
She immediately realized that it was rude to mention Leland's appearance, especially since it might affect the man's confidence. Maybe that was the reason why Leland hid his identity from her for a long time?
Did he feel insecure by his looks and think Sophie wouldn't want him? Was that the reason?
No… she better not say a word or even mentioned it. Her love for this man grew because of his kindness and how he always cared for her. How he looked didn't matter.
"I am happy to know you are okay," Sophie said softly.
She decided to change the topic and wiped her tears again. Dammit. She intentionally dolled up before he came so she could look beautiful but instead, the tears kept flowing down her cheeks. Her eyes must be puffy now and she looked pathetic.
Gosh…she didn't want to keep crying, but how to stop these tears from falling?
Leland could feel what she was thinking and this made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Didn't she know that she was so beautiful? Even her tears only made her look gentle and vulnerable. When he saw her like this, Leland just wanted to pull her into his embrace and kiss her, tell her everything was fine and that he was there to protect her.
Even if he had to face the entire world for her, he would do it without thinking.
Leland reached out to the woman and pulled her for a kiss. It was a sweet and deep kiss.
Sophie felt her body turn to jello when Leland kissed her. Her mind went into a daze. This kiss… was very similar to the kiss he gave her when they…
When they consummated their marriage.
It was filled with lust and passion. At that time, Sophie was startled because the kiss came so suddenly and she didn't expect the duke would do it. She thought they would only have sex and that was it. No feelings were involved from the man.
However, now that she tasted his lips for the second time and felt the intensity of his desire for her, Sophie realized the kiss from last time was also done out of love.
Had Leland fallen in love with her back then?
Was that the reason why he married her in the first place? Did he actually marry her out of love? Or... maybe she was wrong. Men could feel lust even when there was no love involved.
The kiss was passionate and Sophie thought she lost herself in it. Her mind went into a mess and she could no longer think. Then, the man pulled her onto his lap and he hugged her waist more tightly as their lips locked and their tongue dueled each other in a fiery passion.
"Ahh…" Sophie couldn't hold it when a soft moan escaped her lips. Her eyes opened and she was so embarrassed.
She just… returned his kiss so effortlessly. It felt so right to kiss him back, but now that she felt aroused… she thought it was embarrassing.
Would he think of her as an easy woman because she just kissed him back?
"Sophia..." Leland opened his eyes too and looked at Sophie with so much love in his gaze. He used his thumb to wipe tears from the corner of her eyes. "I am okay now and I have never been happier."
His words were uttered calmly and managed to make Sophie feel at ease. She nodded weakly and smiled a little. "Yeah... that's good."
"I am sorry I couldn't find you sooner..." Leland spoke. His voice was laced in sadness.
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