Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime
Chapter 122: Big Panda?

Chapter 122: Big Panda?

For a moment Kendrick fell silent again. His mind seemed to wander back in time, back to those fragmented memories from 12 years ago. His expression grew distant and confused.

The last clear picture in his mind was when someone struck him from behind while he was trying to help a young girl avoid being kidnapped.

The next thing he remembered was waking up to his father’s voice, and then a strong man lifting him up and guiding him away from a burning building. There were many dead bodies on the floor as they walked past children and adults alike.

He tried hard to piece together those memories, to connect the dots. The reports afterwards said 8 people died in a gas leak explosion, including his father.

But Kendrick remembered something different. There were more bodies, many more, not just 8. Whatever happened back then, it was much more sinister and much more dramatic than the official story.

His father hadn’t died in a simple accident — something else was going on.

Even his father’s face is no longer clear in his memory. It’s all just a blur in his mind, as if he’s forgotten exactly what he looked like.

He tried searching for a photo, but for some unknown reason, there isn’t a single picture of him anywhere. Which is beyond strange. It’s like his existence has been completely erased.

That’s why he keeps doubting that incident. There has to be more to it, but what?

Kendrick remained silent for a while, letting his mind drift back into those foggy memories. There were gaps, moments that felt distant and incomplete.

He didn’t remember being injected with anything. He hadn’t noticed anything unusual about himself. But his body was different. His constitution felt stronger, faster, more resilient. Yet no regular hospital ever picked up on it.

They treated him like any other patient, never seeing the hidden effects of Project Helix.

That’s why he still wasn’t fully aware of his condition or how significant it really was.

He just thought his body was built differently, special. He had always excelled at everything since he was a kid. So when his senses sharpened and his healing grew faster, it seemed normal to him. It never occurred to him that he had been injected and enhanced ever since that incident.

---

[118 Days Left to Live]

The alarm clock made a soft clicking sound at exactly 4:45 am. Zephany opened her eyes immediately and turned it off with a shaky finger. She pressed her lips together in a nervous, excited way. "Okay... today’s the day I show him I can do it."

She slid back the thick blanket and hopped quietly out of her mattress. The wooden floor was freezing against her feet, making her toes curl in discomfort, but she forced herself forward.

Tiptoeing past Kendrick’s room, she pressed her ear against the door for just a moment. There was only silence on the other side. She smiled mischievously. "He’s still asleep... I made it first today."

Slowly and carefully, she walked into the dimly lit kitchen. The first rays of the dawn were barely peaking through the small window above the sink. She turned on a small lamp in the corner. The yellow glow filled the space, casting a warm feeling that seemed to match her mood.

"It’s nice... to be up first, just for once. Maybe I should try doing it more often," Zephany whispered to herself, tying her messy hair back into a small, shaky ponytail.

She opened the fridge and took out a few ingredients. Eggs, bread, bacon... and a small can of tuna. She pressed her lips together, trying hard to remember all the instructions Kendrick had casually explained to her last weekend.

"Don’t burn the toast... medium to low flame... watch it closely." She nodded quietly, replaying his words in her mind. "Okay... I can do this."

She turned the stove on and placed a small nonstick pan on it. The silence in the kitchen seemed overwhelming in the dim light, adding a nervous feeling to her movements. Nonetheless, she pressed forward.

As she carefully prepared the toast and the bacon, a small proud smile crossed her face. "It’s... actually looking okay this time."

The first piece of toast came out crispy and nicely browned. She turned it over with the tongs and nodded to herself. "See... not bad at all."

Meanwhile, the rich smell of crispy bacon filled the small dining area. She pressed a piece between two halves of the toast and made a small, perfect sandwich.

Then she turned her attention to the tuna. Kendrick liked it, she remembered. So she made him a small tuna sandwich and a black coffee — strong and simple — just the way he preferred it.

For herself, she prepared her favorite: crispy bacon with a rich, creamy chocolate drink.

Once everything was ready, Zephany carefully plated the food and placed it on the dining table. She stood back for a moment to appreciate it: the crispy toast, the rich black coffee, the creamy chocolate. A small feast made by her hands. "I did it... I really did it."

Just then, a rhythmic set of heavy yet slow footsteps came from the corridor. Zephany pressed her hands against her cheeks in nervous anticipation. She forced herself to stay composed, adding a mischievous, teasing tone to her voice just to mask her nervousness. "Good morning, Big Panda."

Kendrick appeared in the doorway, wearing a simple T-shirt and comfortable jogging pants. His hair was messy, a few strands falling over his forehead, and his eyes were barely opened. "Big... Panda?" he said quietly, tilting his head in confusion.

Zephany nodded with a small nervous smile. "I... thought it kind of suits you... you’re a little slow in the morning... like a big, sleepy panda."

For a moment, Kendrick remained silent. Then something in his normally impassive face seemed to soften. His eyebrows lifted slightly.

"A big... panda... huh."

He smiled at the thought. So I have a nickname now.

He was tempted to tease her, but when he saw her nervous expression and the concern on her face, he decided against it.

Zephany pressed her knuckles together in nervousness. "Are... are you okay? You can take more rest if you want."

Kendrick remained in the doorway for a few seconds, unsure how to respond. His first alarm had gone off at 5, and normally by now he’d be making breakfast and coffee. But today... she’d gotten up first. His senses were a little off. His routines were disrupted in a way... but it felt... nice.

He walked forward and looked at the dining table. His piercing gaze fell upon the food — the crispy toast, the rich black coffee, the creamy chocolate — all made by her. His heartbeat seemed to accelerate, and a strange warmth filled him. "I... you made this?"

Zephany nodded quietly, cheeks coloring. "I... tried... I hope it’s okay."

He walked forward and sat across from her. His normally piercing, icy demeanor seemed to lighten. "I’m supposed to be the one making breakfast... But it seems you’re serious about taking over my job now."

Zephany pressed her lips together to avoid smiling. "It’s okay... I need to put to use the cooking lessons I learned from you."

Then, with a nervous rush, she nodded toward the food. "Go on... taste it... please... tell me if it’s... if it’s good."

Kendrick sighed quietly, then nodded. His large, strong hands picked up the toast. His first bite was slow, deliberate. His eyebrows raised in a surprised, pleased expression. "It’s... perfect."

Zephany felt her cheeks grow warm again. "For... for real?"

He nodded, smiling. "For real. It’s crispy just the way I like it."

She pressed her hands against her lap under the table, trying to stay composed, but a rush of happiness filled her.

"It’s... not much... I just... followed your instructions."

"It’s more than enough." Kendrick said quietly.

He turned back toward the food, adding, "I’m proud of you... you improved a lot."

Zephany tried to pretend she was unaffected by his praise, tilting her head away and making a small side-eye. "Don’t... exaggerate."

He sighed quietly and nodded. "Okay... okay... you’re right... I’m not... But you did well. There’s something... comforting about this."

For a moment, silence fell between them, comfortable and rich, filled with unexpressed thoughts.

Zephany pressed her lips together and turned back toward her plate. Inside her mind, her thoughts were a rush. ’This man... sometimes quiet, sometimes playful and teasing... sometimes kind... sometimes a little full of himself... But... there’s something about him... something I can’t quite put into words.’

She glanced up briefly, not realizing Kendrick was already looking back at her. His piercing blue eyes softened when their gazes briefly met.

"So, my dear wife, what more should I expect from you?" he asked, teasing this time. He just couldn’t help it. Somehow, it felt so good calling her that.

Zephany, hearing that word again, instantly blushed. She wanted to retort, but every time he wore that smug smile while saying those words, she was left speechless.

Why does he look even more handsome when he’s in teasing mode? Damn... it always leaves me speechless!