"Do you feel I have changed a lot?"

"Eh.." 'Was she talking about getting chubby? Should I say a yes or no?'

Confused, he chose not to reply.

"Didn't I?" Unlike him, she was eager to know his answer.

"What way?" He asked directly.

"My att.i.tude..." Her voice low but heard.

Having the same thoughts as his, they were both a.s.sessing their lives.

On hearing this, his face changed. He wanted to raise the issue long back. This was the question he needed an answer.

'Why did you change so much? Did you fall for me? Is it only for the child? Because you were pregnant?'

Except the answer may not be the one he wanted. He waited for her to tell him herself.

"You did. A lot." She turned around the att.i.tude towards him. Her gaze, her smile, her manner all changed.

Ira sat up. Fine hair fell on her forehead, only for her sparkling eyes to be visible.

"Then you like me now or the previous me?"

In her head, Ira had long considered previous Ira dead. She had been born again.

"Now or then, it would always be you." Then even if she changed, she would be the same person.

She threw the pillow at him. Her eyes spilled out her grievance as she pouted. "Fool."

For one thing, she could hear the past her and all the cruel words she spat out without hesitation. 'Why did you like that, Ira?' Stubborn and unwilling to leave the cold her.

"Didn't you ever think about ...separation?" The word divorce stuck on her lips; she couldn't utter.

"No, no way. I love you. And you never give up on one you love."

As soon as the words rang in her ears, her heart pound. Although this wife who got more loving and obedient, how could he be unhappy with her change?

"Stupid, why didn't you tell me?" Going through the scattered memories, not for a moment she realized he loved her.

"You didn't ask?" he shrugged. 'How could he tell her that his confidence waned, and he yielded to his worst fears—that maybe he was an inadequate and insignificant man?

He craved her presence, respect, and trust. However, she will be the only woman who has the power to lift him and make him want to conquer the world for her.

Ira's thoughts were different.

All the time she thought he would never like her. Men don't want such a strong woman, especially those with higher incomes. Don't they prefer a little soft, adorable little wife and girlfriend?

Again, from her past, she believed no one would love her. So she wore a mask of indifference. Pretending to ignore the world.

Everyone was selfish: love doesn't exist before career and money.

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

Maybe it started merely as compa.s.sion, more because she felt the man deserved it. Now she knew it was love.