?<strong>Chapter 435:</strong>


    The meal passed in an unusual silence, with only the soft sizzle of food on the grill, a kind of silent performance between them.


    When the meal ended, Daxton drove Carrie back to her ce. As they neared Bayview Vi, Carrie noticed that the lights in her house were on, a small detail that caught her off guard.


    She wondered if she had forgotten to switch them off before leaving. But she quickly dismissed the idea—she had left in the daylight, and the lights shouldn’t have been on at that time.


    She couldn’t think of anyone who would be at her home at this hour, adding to her confusion. If it weren’t for the tight security at Bayview Vi, she might have suspected a break-in, but that didn’t seem likely.


    As the car rolled up to the house, a tall, striking figure emerged, immediately clearing the confusion that had clouded Carrie’s mind.


    Kristopher stood at the doorway, casually holding a shopping bag. He was dressed in a ck suit that looked like it had been through quite a journey.


    As Carrie got out of the car, she noticed his frown, just a little. “Wee back,” he greeted, his voice calm.


    Carrie noticed Daxton stepping out of the car as well, but she held back her curiosity. “Thank you.”


    Kristopher reached over, draping an arm around her shoulders, then turned to Daxton and handed him the shopping bag. It wasn’t until then that Carrie realized the bag held the Morwick pen they’d picked up the other day.


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    Daxton nced at the bag but didn’t make a move to take it.


    Carrie broke the silence. “Daxton, please take it. I thought it would be something you’d like when I saw it. It can be your birthday gift.”


    She didn’t add that it was intended as a birthday present, though. She hadn’t realized it was his birthday today, and the more she tried to exin, the more ufortable it became.


    Hearing her, Daxton finally took the bag, giving Carrie a soft look. “Thank you,” he said quietly.


    Kristopher spoke in a clipped tone. “Since you’ve escorted my wife back and I’ve delivered the gift, you should be on your way now.” He tugged Carrie along, signaling the end of the exchange.


    Carrie didn’t argue with Kristopher’s cold tone. She turned to Daxton and said, “Daxton, it’s gettingte. You should head back.”


    “Now, now, no need to drag this on,” Kristopher said, gently pulling her hand and leaning in to whisper in her ear, urging her to hurry.


    Daxton stood there, watching them walk away, noticing how easily they seemed to slip back into their affectionate dynamic. Just moments ago, they had been in the middle of an argument, and he had expected a few days of tension. Yet, now, they were already back on track, as if nothing had happened.


    Daxton’s fingers tightened around the bag, and he turned back toward his car. Once in the driver’s seat, he flicked on the overhead light and opened the bag in the dim glow. Inside was a white pen, one that he knew he’d likely appreciate.


    To her, Daxton was like the pen—clean, untouched, and simple. He had always presented himself this way to her, believing that she would prefer someone so pristine. If he had known she would prefer someone like Kristopher, maybe he would have let her see the real him.


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