Chapter 58: The Secret Reader

After discovering L's identity, Freya demanded the complete story. Louis reluctantly admitted he had found her novel after noticing the writing platform on her laptop. He had originally intended only to verify whether she was actually earning money from writing.

"So you investigated me again," Freya said.

"I checked publicly available information."

"That's exactly what I said when I researched Northstar."

Louis couldn't argue.

He had read the first chapters out of curiosity, then continued because the story was unexpectedly engaging. His first comment had been impulsive. After Freya replied, he found himself commenting again.

"You could have said, 'I read your book and liked it,' like a normal person."

"I never said I liked it."

Freya stared at him. "You have read every chapter within an hour of publication."

"That doesn't prove anything."

"You also argued with me about the heroine's financial decisions for three days."

"They were questionable decisions."

Freya threw a cushion at him.

Louis caught it easily.

Once her laughter faded, however, she felt unexpectedly pleased. Writing had always been personal. Readers knew her stories, but Louis knew the person creating them. The fact that he had voluntarily followed every update meant more than she wanted to admit.

"Fine," she said. "You can keep the L account."

"I need your permission?"

"Yes, because now I know who you are."

"That logic makes no sense."

"Writer rules."

She added one condition: he wasn't allowed to use information he learned at home to predict unpublished plot developments publicly. Louis agreed.

The following day, L commented normally beneath the newest chapter. Freya replied with a single smiling emoji. Readers had no idea why.

Meanwhile, Derek found out because Louis made the mistake of leaving the account open during a meeting. Derek stared at the username, then at him.

"You're L?"

Louis closed the app.

Derek's expression transformed into delight. "This is the best thing that's happened all month."

"You have work to do."

"You secretly comment on your wife's romance novel."

"Derek."

"Do you pay for chapters?"

Louis looked away.

Derek nearly fell out of his chair laughing.

That evening, Freya received an unusually large platform tip from L. She walked straight into the living room.

"Did you just send me money?"

Louis didn't look up from his laptop. "Maybe."

"You're aware the platform takes a percentage."

"Yes."

"You could literally hand me the money."

"You wouldn't take it."

Freya opened her mouth, then closed it. He was correct.

"That's cheating," she complained.

"It's reader support."

She stared at him before laughing helplessly.

The strange interaction changed something subtle between them. Louis no longer needed to hide his interest in her writing, and Freya began asking his opinion openly when a business scene needed checking. He remained annoyingly critical, but his advice was useful.

Their marriage had begun as two strangers occupying separate worlds. Now Louis was becoming part of the fictional worlds Freya created, while Freya was gradually being trusted with pieces of the real world Louis kept hidden.

Freya also noticed that Louis never demanded to see drafts merely because he knew her pen name. He waited until she offered them. That small boundary mattered. His curiosity could be excessive, but when she clearly claimed something as hers, he usually respected it. Perhaps that was one reason sharing her work with him was becoming easier.