Under Victor''s intense, dangerous gaze, Isadora''s heart skipped a beat.


    She turned away, fixing her eyes on the road ahead. "I want to go back."


    Victor didn''t rush, taking his time as he withdrew his gaze. "Back to Summit Crest Estates?" he asked, his voice unhurried.


    Isadora blinked, a little surprised. This man always found a way to regain the upper hand.


    She was about to say no, but before she could speak, Victor smoothly turned the wheel and headed straight toward Summit Crest Estates.


    He leaned back in the driver''s seat, sounding almostzy. "You''ll need another checkup in a few days. I''ll wait until your results are in before taking you home. Saves you from getting emotional again."


    "I was not emotional!" Isadora shot back.


    Victor nced at her, amusement flickering in his eyes as he indulged her, "Alright, alright. I''ll be the one getting emotional, is that better?"


    Isadora knew she''d never win in a verbal spar with him, so she gave up and fell silent.


    She lowered her head, thinking. Truthfully, she wasn''t looking forward to being alone for her next checkup.


    Suddenly, a thought struck her. "I don''t have any clothes to change into."


    "Don''t worry," Victor replied, lips curving into a rxed grin. "Worst case, you can borrow mine."


    She wrinkled her nose. "No, thanks."


    Seeing her expression, Victor''s smile deepened. He reached over and ruffled her hair. "Silly girl."


    Half an hourter, they pulled into Summit Crest Estates.


    Walking inside again, Isadora felt aplicated mix of emotions. Thest time she''d been here, she was packing up her things, believing she''d never return.


    As her gaze swept around the house, her eyes widened in surprise-her belongings, the boxes she''d left out by the door, were still there, untouched.


    She turned to Victor. "Why are these still here?"


    She clearly remembered tossing them in the trash.


    Victor looked caught off guard for a split second, then turned away, his tone a strange mix of awkwardness and bravado. "You told me everything was bought with my money. If I want to pick them up, I


    ve


    will."


    Isadora watched the stubborn pride flicker across his face, and inexplicably, a gentle warmth began to spread through her chest.


    "I''m going to take a shower," she said quietly.


    At the master bedroom door, she hesitated, ncing between the master and guest rooms.


    Behind her, Victor''szy voice called, "You''ll sleep in the master bedroom tonight."


    Isadora paused, then slowly opened


    the door and stepped inside. She looked around-the closet was just as she''d left it, her clothes and Victor''s neatly hanging side by side, as if she''d never been gone.


    On the vanity, she spotted the sapphire bracelet, the one she hadn''t seen in ages. She picked it up, staring at the unique cut of each sparkling blue gem, so bright and exquisite.


    For a moment, her expression was unreadable. After a while, she ced the bracelet back on the table.


    Choosing a simple, modest nightgown from the closet, she headed to the bathroom.


    After a quick shower, Isadora wandered out into the living room and toward the kitchen.


    There she found Victor standing at the counter, sleeves rolled up, forearms tense as he stirred something on the stove.


    Hearing her footsteps, he nced back, thendled a steaming bowl of soup and brought it out.


    Isadora''s gaze followed him—a hearty, nourishing soup, thick and creamy, filled with wholesome ingredients, its aroma instantly. awakening her appetite. Her


    stomach rumbled; she realise


    was hungrier than she thought. Cóntent


    she


    Victor sat down, swirling the spoon in the bowl as he looked at her.