He Stands at the End of My Past

Caspian Henderson has been rigid and restrained throughout his six-year marriage to Juliet Bennett, and their life together feels dull and uneventful.

Even their nights together feel like a chore with a set time. He arrives on the dot, does what he came for, and leaves.

Everyone in their social circle believes he's the kind of man who will never bend for any woman. That was true until a month ago, when he returned with an orphaned girl who claims to have saved his life.

Her name is Willow Everly. She's cold and unapproachable—the polar opposite of Juliet, who has been doted on all her life.

Juliet's girlfriends attempt to warn her. "That young woman looks like a handful. You'd better keep an eye on your husband."

Juliet beams. "Don't worry. Caspian doesn't even waver when I tease him. There's no way he'd be interested in that delicate little thing."

Yet in just a few days, she finds out just how wrong she is.

Caspian Henderson had been rigid and restrained throughout six years of marriage. Life was dull and predictable. Even their intimate moments felt like a scheduled chore. He came when it was time and left the moment it was over.

Everyone who knew him said a man like him would never lose control over a woman. That was until a month ago, when he brought home a young orphan who claimed she had saved his life.

Her name was Willow Everly. She was cold and aloof, like a white flower blooming on a mountaintop—nothing like Juliet Bennett, who had been spoiled and adored all her life.

Juliet's friends tried to warn her. "That woman looks like trouble. You'd better keep an eye on your husband."

Juliet curled her red lips into a confident smile. "Don't worry. Caspian can resist even my teasing. There's no way he'd be interested in a soft little damsel like her."

However, a few days later, she was proven wrong.

In just a month, Caspian and Willow had grown far too close. He brought her to all kinds of events and introduced her to all his friends.

Someone even mistook Willow for his wife. She didn't deny it, and Caspian only smiled and went along with it.

That same night, he pinned Willow beneath him, his eyes dark with desire and his voice softer than ever. "Willow, you didn't correct them. Does that mean you feel something for me, too?"

Willow pushed him away, her expression as detached as ever. "My father only asked you to look after me, not to look after me in your bed."

Caspian held her hand and pleaded, "He asked me to protect you, but I fell for you. Can you please give me a chance, Willow?"

Without the slightest hesitation, she rejected him. "No."

He lowered his head and closed the distance between them, like a man in power willing to bow his head for love. "Tell me… What do I have to do for you to