Natasha stood frozen, staring at Dustin with her lips slightly parted. She looked like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Tears blurred her vision almost instantly.
“Is it you, Dear?” she asked, her voice shaking with disbelief. “I’m home, Natasha.” He smiled and opened his arms. Before he could blink, she was already rushing toward him.
Natasha threw herself into Dustin’s embrace without hesitation. Her arms locked around his waist like she was trying to merge their bodies into one.
“You jerk! So you do remember the way home.”
Without his cultivation, the impact nearly knocked him off his feet. Fortunately, his footwork training allowed him to steady himself, though just barely. He couldn’t help thinking about how weak he had become after becoming a mortal.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her, feeling her tremble and sob in his embrace. Guilt and affection washed over him.
“I’m sorry for making you worry about me, “he whispered.
Natasha buried her face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent as if she couldn’t get enough. Her small fists beat against his chest without mercy, though to Dustin it felt like nothing. Still, she kept hitting him to release months of pent-up frustration and longing.
“Where the hell have you been these past few months? You just disappeared without a word. Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? I couldn’t even sleep at night. You heartless jerk.”
She pounded on his chest as she cried, her tears soaking through his shirt. Dustin let her get it all out, holding her tighter and gently patting her back.
“Okay. It’s my fault. I had to repay a favor and take care of some things that needed handling. I promise I won’t disappear like that again without telling you,” he said with a smile.
Natasha lifted her tear-streaked face, looking at him with glistening eyes.
“Really? Do you mean it?”
“I swear…”
Dustin was about to raise his hand when a slender finger pressed against his lips.
Natasha’s tears turned to laughter, her eyes sparkling with joy and mischief. “Who asked you to swear? Just remember what you said.”
Before he could respond, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him. Dustin froze for a moment, then smiled and closed his eyes. He kissed her back, matching the longing and love she poured into it.
The mood in the office shifted, becoming warm and intimate. The sunlight filtering through the windows seemed gentler somehow. The two were immersed in a passionate kiss after their long separation, holding each other close and reluctant to part.
Just then, the office door slammed open with a violent kick. Gilbert, the young heir from Oakvale who’d been turned away moments ago, had returned. His face was twisted with rage and jealousy.
The security guards had stopped him earlier, but that had only made him angrier. Using his family’s influence, he’d forced his way inside.
The moment he entered, he saw the aloof angel he’d been pursuing for months locked in an embrace with some stranger. The sight hit him like a punch to the gut.
“Natasha! Who the fuck is this punk?”
Gilbert pointed at Dustin, his voice sharp and twisted with fury. He slammed the expensive bouquet of roses onto the floor, sending petals flying in every direction.
“You think you can steal a woman I’ve set my sights on? Do you have a fucking death wish?” His glare fixed on Dustin like he wanted to tear him apart with his bare hands.
The warm moment from earlier was instantly shattered. Natasha pulled away from the kiss and turned to face Gilbert, “Gilbert Chandler! Get the hell out of here.”
Seeing Natasha standing protectively in front of him, Dustin was touched. He’d always been the one protecting others. Now that he’d become mortal again, he was experiencing what it felt like to be protected by the person he loved.
Dustin gently patted Natasha’s shoulder, signaling her to stay calm. Then he stepped forward and looked at Gilbert.
“I’m her husband,” he said indifferently. ” As for whether I’m tired of living, you’re welcome to find out.”
He couldn’t use his cultivation anymore, but he could still handle a few ordinary people with his combat skills.
Besides, Gilbert looked physically weak and unsteady on his feet. His body was worn down from excessive drinking and indulgence, making him weaker than the average person. Dustin didn’t see him as a threat at all.
