MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!

Hua Jing had been waiting too, even if she hadn’t known it.

She had spent a lifetime running from him.

Telling herself that she despised him.

That he was nothing but the man fate had forced upon her.

That he had stolen her freedom.

That he was the reason her life had become a cage.

But she had been lying to herself.

She had always been looking for something she thought she would never find.

And she had never realized—she had already found it.

Because even when she hated him, he had been the only man who had never turned his back on her.

Even when she had cursed him in her heart, his name had still been the only one that had ever made her feel safe.

Even when she had sworn to herself that she would never need him, his touch had still been the only one that had ever felt like home.

She had spent her entire life running.

But she had never been running away.

She had only ever been running to him.

And now—

Now, there was no more running.

No more fighting what had always been inevitable.

No more walls between them.

She had arrived.

And he—

He had been waiting for her to finally come home.

And she was...

...

The world outside was still.

The rain from the night before had left the air crisp and cool, the scent of damp earth drifting through the open window. A soft morning breeze rustled the curtains, but inside the room, everything was warm.

Hua Jing lay curled against Zhao Yan, her bare skin pressed against his, her breath slow and even.

She was asleep, her body tangled with his, her face buried against his chest.

And Zhao Yan—

Zhao Yan was awake.

He had been awake for a while now, lying completely still, unwilling to move, unwilling to do anything that might break the fragile spell of this moment.

Because even now, even with her wrapped in his arms, even after everything that had happened between them last night—he still couldn’t believe she was here.

That she was his. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

That she had let him love her.

That she had loved him back.

His golden eyes traced the delicate curve of her face, the way her lashes fluttered slightly in sleep, the faint flush still dusting her cheeks.

She was beautiful.

But more than that—

She was real.

He had dreamt of this for so long.

Of waking up with her beside him.

Of holding her close like this, feeling her warmth, breathing her in.

Of belonging to her.

His fingers tightened slightly around her waist, his grip possessive even in sleep.

She shifted slightly, letting out the softest sigh, pressing herself closer to him, as if she belonged there.

And she did.

She had always belonged here.

Zhao Yan exhaled slowly, his hand moving to gently stroke the strands of her hair, marveling at the softness of it.

She was still so tired.

Her body was sore—he could tell from the slight stiffness in the way she curled against him.

But she was comfortable.

She was at peace.

And that thought alone made something tighten in his chest.

Because when was the last time she had truly felt safe?

When was the last time she had been able to sleep without worry, without fear, without the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders?

She had spent her whole life guarded, tense, always preparing for the next battle.

But now—

Now, she was here.

Curled against him, warm and untroubled, sleeping the best sleep of her life.

And Zhao Yan—

He would do everything in his power to make sure it stayed that way.

His fingers traced the bare skin of her back, moving in slow, lazy circles, his lips brushing against the top of her head.

He hadn’t meant to fall this deep.

He hadn’t meant to lose himself in her this much.

But last night—

Last night, she had shattered every last restraint he had left.

She had given herself to him, fully and completely, and he had never stood a chance.

Zhao Yan’s grip tightened around her again, pulling her closer, unable to stop himself.

She made a soft sound in response, her body instinctively molding into his, her leg hooking over his as she sought his warmth.

Zhao Yan smirked, his chest rumbling with quiet amusement.

So she really was this clingy when she slept.

He could tease her about this later.

For now—

For now, he was going to enjoy this moment for as long as he could.

Because he had waited a lifetime for this.

And he wasn’t letting go.

The first thing Hua Jing became aware of was warmth.

A deep, soothing warmth that wrapped around her, pressing against her bare skin, keeping her tucked in so securely that she didn’t want to move.

She sighed softly, eyes still closed, her body aching in places she hadn’t known could ache, but there was no discomfort.

Only a slow, languid satisfaction that made her want to sink deeper into sleep.

But then—

She shifted slightly, and something solid tightened around her waist.

Heat.

Firm muscle.

A heartbeat.

Her breath hitched.

Slowly, hesitantly, her eyes fluttered open, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains casting a golden glow over the room.

And that was when she saw him.

Zhao Yan.

Lying beside her.

Holding her.

Watching her.

His golden eyes, so familiar yet so foreign in their tenderness, studied her with an intensity that stole her breath.

Hua Jing blinked, her mind still slow and hazy with sleep.

Her cheek was pressed against his bare chest, her hand resting lightly over his heart.

And he was warm.

So very, very warm.

Her gaze trailed upward, tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the unruly strands of hair that had fallen over his forehead, the way the morning light danced against his bronzed skin.

He was so beautiful it almost hurt to look at him.

She swallowed.