After Marrying the Officer Chapter 3: Telling the Truth

Xia Chuyi snatched the quilt, pulling it tightly around her frame.

She cast a sidelong glance at Huo Shiqian. Having risen earlier, he was already dressed in crisp, orderly attire.

Supporting herself with one hand, she shuffled backward until she reached the headboard, resting against the wall.

"There is no one here..." Her throat felt parched and raw. Swallowing hard to ease the dryness, her voice remained raspy as she added, "Believe it or not, I was led into a trap as well."

"I do not know you, and you have no reason to know me. Why would I sacrifice my own chastity to frame you?" She looked him directly in the eyes, her expression earnest as she laid out the facts.

In this day and age, losing one's innocence before marriage was a scandal that could invite public ruin.

Huo Shiqian’s lips remained a thin line. His gaze, piercing like a bird of prey, swept over her as if he were trying to discern the truth behind her claims.

She met his scrutiny unflinchingly, showing no signs of cowardice.

As she studied him, she found herself tracing his features.

His eyebrows were like drawn swords, carrying the innate sharpness of a soldier; his dark eyes were profound and impossible to read; the bridge of his nose was prominent and noble; his set jaw suggested a man of strict discipline and little mercy.

He possessed the kind of stern, imposing face that usually made children startle and women tremble.

Yet, she had to admit, he was undeniably handsome.

A faint, unconscious smile tugged at her lips.

Huo Shiqian’s expression shifted, his brows furrowing as he caught her gaze.

The air between them turned heavy and awkward.

She quickly lowered her eyes.

Since she could not glean any useful information from his reaction, she realized that such a heavy accusation would not be accepted based on mere words alone. Regardless, she had no intention of resolving this mess immediately.

Keeping the blanket wrapped firmly about her, she scrambled out of bed. She gathered the garments strewn across the floor, dressing with hurried movements beneath the cover of the linens.

Once she was dressed, she hopped off the bed and stood before him, tilting her head to gauge his height.

The man was truly imposing.

"Regardless, this is what happened. While a woman's reputation is life itself, neither of us entered this room by choice. Let us just pretend this night never occurred," she remarked, gesturing dismissively with her hands.

The temperature in the room seemed to plummet instantly.

"What did you say?"

His icy glare made her shudder. She involuntarily backed away, feeling a sudden, inexplicable sense of guilt, as if she were the offender.

"Ahem, don't mind me. I'll take my leave now!"

Retreating to the wall, she spun around, scrambled to the window, and clambered onto the ledge.

"What are you up to?"

His voice was sharp as frost, and his hand clamped firmly onto her arm just as he spoke.

Turning back, she saw that Huo Shiqian’s expression had darkened into a scowl.

She struggled to wrench her limb free, but his grip remained iron-clad.

With a sigh, she pointed toward the inn's window.

A sliver of the balcony was visible, complete with drainpipes running down the exterior. She intended to scale the pipes to avoid the main entrance, where her fiancé and her 'darling sister' Xia Lan were surely waiting to catch her in the act.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I just intend to slip out. If I exit through the door, my fiancé and my dear sister will be waiting to ambush me."

She glanced toward the silent, heavy door, fully aware that opening it would invite total chaos.

"Fiancé?" Huo Shiqian repeated, his voice cold enough to freeze blood.