"Anna, don't be scared. I'll try to be gentle..."
A husky voice murmured into her ear, pulling Anna Walton out of her blurry dreamland.
She felt as though her body was restrained by something, unable to move. Through the moonlight filtering in from the window, she could vaguely make out the silhouette of a man lying on top of her.
Her heart pounded so fiercely she thought it might burst out of her chest, but terror rendered her unable to scream. Her body went into shock, her mind a blank canvas, as the intensity of the situation engulfed her like a tidal wave.
Before she could process what was happening, her body involuntarily moved in rhythm with the man, drowning repeatedly in waves of overwhelming pleasure.
When Anna woke again, a dimly lit oil lamp cast a faint glow in the room.
She was panting heavily, her body drenched in sweat. For a moment, she sat dazed, her mind reeling, before her gaze wandered to her surroundings.
The room was simply furnished: a worn-out wooden bed took up much of the space, and yellowing wallpaper adorned the walls. Half of the room was filled by a heated platform bed, with a cabinet resting on it. Aside from a washstand and a small table, there was nothing else.
Where was she?
Why was she here?
As her thoughts spiraled wildly, the door suddenly creaked open.
Sturdy footsteps, accompanied by a faint fragrance, echoed in the room.
Anna turned her head sharply, only to see a tall man entering with a basin of water in his hands.
Under the dim light, his sharply defined features and profound expression became clear—it was the man she had seen vaguely in her dream.
"You... who are you?"
Anna’s voice was weak, barely above a whisper, as she subconsciously questioned him.
Benson Stanley paused for a moment before offering a gentle smile. His tone was calm and reassuring.
"What's the matter? Still feeling muddled after sleep? I am Stanley, your husband."
As he spoke, he set the basin aside, seeming indifferent to her confusion.
Anna was stunned. Husband?
Before she could respond, Stanley extended his hand toward her.
"I brought water for you. You seemed worn out earlier, so let me help you freshen up."
Only then did Anna notice the sticky sensation clinging to her skin and the soreness coursing through her body. Memories of the earlier incident surged through her mind, and her face burned crimson.
Subconsciously, she recoiled slightly and stammered, "No... no need... I'll do it myself."
Sensing her embarrassment, Stanley nodded gently. Turning his back to her, he stood beside the bed, his tone light and natural.
"Alright, suit yourself. Just let me know if you need help."
Anna breathed a sigh of relief, though her heart continued to race as she lifted her arms and began wiping her body.
Suddenly, a flood of unfamiliar memories surged into her mind—
She had traveled back in time to the 1970s and taken the place of a girl with the same name and surname.
The original Anna Walton had just turned eighteen. After graduating from middle school, she had spent three years farming at home. Her parents, anxious about her future, believed she was getting too old to delay marriage any longer. They began seeking a suitable match for her.
Around the same time, Pamela Benson, the mother of Stanley, was also eager to find a wife for her son.
Stanley had joined the army at sixteen and had now been serving for nine years without returning home. Despite his absence, he diligently sent money back each month, improving his family's living conditions significantly.
Pamela, however, was increasingly worried. At nearly thirty, her son showed no signs of settling down, and her anxiety grew by the day.
Determined to take matters into her own hands, Pamela fabricated a reason to summon Stanley back from the military. Simultaneously, she began inquiring around the village for suitable girls.
The original Anna caught her eye immediately. She was the right age, beautiful, and intelligent. Her family’s situation was decent, and she was known for her sincerity, grit, and hardworking nature.
Without hesitation, Pamela finalized the marriage arrangement.
The moment Stanley returned home, he was pressured to apply for a marriage license. The wedding ceremony was held that very night.
Such abrupt unions were not uncommon at the time. Although the couple lacked an emotional foundation, the village considered such arrangements perfectly normal. No one found it unusual.
As these memories unraveled, Anna felt a pang of suffocation. The original Anna straightforward life felt too abrupt, too overwhelming, for her to process.
She woke up as someone else, only to face a stranger—her "husband"—Stanley, a man who was both unfamiliar and strikingly handsome.
From the original host's memories, Anna knew that Stanley did not have a good reputation in the village. Rumors swirled that he had been a soldier for years without settling down, leading people to speculate that something must be wrong with him.
These idle rumors were like thorns, lodged deep in the original host's heart, filling her with dread.
On the night of their wedding ceremony, the original host had been so terrified by the prospect of meeting Stanley that she lost her senses even before his arrival.
And just like that, Anna had been inexplicably transported here, left to deal with the aftermath of this chaotic situation.
As her mind whirled with thoughts, Anna’s gaze shifted to Stanley, who stood with his back to her. His broad shoulders, smooth backline, and slender legs created a straight and commanding silhouette against the wall.
It had to be said—his physique and appearance perfectly matched Anna’s ideal type.
He exuded an air of authority without even trying, radiating a sense of security that felt unusually comforting.
And coupled with that intimate experience just moments ago…
Anna’s heartbeat quickened, and her face flushed as though it were on fire.
Unaware of the effect he was having, Stanley subconsciously turned around. Their gazes met, locking unexpectedly.
In that moment, it felt as though time had frozen. A romantic tension quietly filled the room.
Especially for Anna, who was leaning against the stove, half-covered by the quilt. Though her upper body was hidden, the dim light reflected on her fair thigh, highlighting an enticing luster.
One glance was all it took for Stanley’s composure to falter. Desire surged wildly within him, the urge to repeat their earlier passion nearly overwhelming.
His breathing became heavier, but he quickly turned his head, forcing himself to stay calm as he murmured, "Have you... finished drying? Let me know."
Anna, observing him, noticed the tips of Stanley's ears turning slightly red. Her heart fluttered at the sight, an unexpected warmth blooming in her chest.
She had never imagined that someone as composed and stoic as Stanley could display such a shy and endearing reaction.
For the first time, she thought that perhaps coming to this place wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
Once Anna finished drying and dressing, Stanley turned back around and carried the water outside to pour it.
When he returned, he moved to the table and prepared to blow out the lamp. Just as he leaned in, Anna blurted out, "Eh, why are you blowing out the lamp?"
Stanley paused and turned his head, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Do you want the light on while sleeping? Sure."
Anna blinked, momentarily stunned. Sleeping?
She glanced outside at the pitch-black night and realized it wouldn’t be practical to keep the light on all night.
"Then... let’s just turn it off," she said hesitantly.
Stanley nodded and blew out the lamp.
The darkness immediately engulfed the room, leaving them unable to see each other but acutely aware of each other’s presence.
The realization that she would be sharing a bed with Stanley caused Anna’s earlier tension to return in full force.
In the quiet, she could clearly hear the sound of their breathing, each breath magnified in the stillness.
As Stanley’s breaths drew closer, Anna’s heart raced, pounding like a drum.
When he finally lay down beside her, it felt as though her heart might leap out of her throat.
Moments passed, the silence almost unbearable. Then, Stanley’s warm breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
His voice, low and magnetic, whispered close to her ear.
"Darling, I want to do it again."
