As for Jarrod''s passcode, she didn''t know its significance, but she had heard when his birthday was, and this wasn''t it.


    It was clearly a special date.


    Perhaps an ex-girlfriend''s birthday?


    She had no intention of prying. For a man like Jarrod, having a past was perfectly normal.


    Jarrod''s apartment was enormous. The first thing she saw was a massive floor-to- ceiling window offering a panoramic view of Eldermere''s most prosperous district. Suddenly living together, she felt out of ce and unsure of what to do.


    She felt it would be rude to wander around and explore, but her luggage was just sitting there and needed to be unpacked.


    After some deliberation, she sent Jarrod a text message.


    [Which room should I stay in?]


    Jarrod''s reply was almost immediate: [?]


    His question mark left Elodie baffled.


    She typed again: [I''m not sure what your arrangement is. There seem to be several rooms. Which one would be most convenient for me to use?]


    She figured their living situation was mostly for his grandmother''s sake; there was


    no reason for Jarrod to actually share a bed with her.


    This time, Jarrod replied: [The first room on the left as you walk in.]


    With his response, Elodie immediately got up to settle in.


    She had assumed it was a guest room.


    But when she entered, she found it was a veryrge master bedroom with a spectacr view and a walk-in closet that held some of Jarrod''s clothes.


    Did he make a mistake? Did he mean the first room on the right?


    Elodie turned and went out to check. Across the hall was indeed another bedroom, simr inyout but with a less impressive view. It was empty. This confirmed her suspicion; Jarrod must have made a typo.


    She moved her luggage to the room on the right.


    Her feelings about Jarrod wereplicated. She knew he was a victim in this situation. He deserved a better match but had been manipted. It would be a miracle if he didn''t resent her.


    There was no way he''d want to share a bed with her. It was merciful enough that he hadn''t strangled her.


    Thankfully, Jarrod was well-mannered enough not tosh out. Still, she felt intimidated by him.


    With the Harcourt family''s involvement, how could she not feel guilty?


    After she finished unpacking, it was nearly seven o''clock.


    When Elodie came out, she was surprised to see Jarrod was already home.


    Elodie immediately felt awkward again.


    Jarrod gave her a cool nce and went to the kitchen for a ss of water. "Finished unpacking?"


    Elodie nodded.


    He walked to the living room sofa and sat down, loosening his tie with his index and middle fingers. "I ordered food be here soon. You can eat when you''re hungry."


    Speak of the devil, the delivery arrived.


    Elodie realized it was from her favorite restaurant.


    That ce normally didn''t do deliveries, and getting a and getting a reservation was nearly


    expensipossible. It w


    >


    She suddenly understood that money truly could make the world go round.


    Jarrod was clearly a picky eater to be ordering from The Aerie Dining Club.


    "Aren''t you eating?" She had wanted to eat there for ages. Now, she could almost smell the food. Her heart leaped with joy, and she couldn''t stop the corners of her mouth from turning up.


    Jarrod slowly looked over, catching her small expression. "I can."


    He stood up and came over, his demeanor noble and calm.


    Elodie tried to control her excitement as she opened the containers.


    When she saw there were no green onions, her mood improved even more.


    Of course, eating with a man who was practically a stranger but suddenly her husband was still awkward.


    Jarrod wasn''t a talkative person, and she had never seen him smile. It was a waste of such a handsome face.


    "Are your things put away?" Jarrod''s tone was cool.


    "Yes."


    "Mm."


    "Mhm."


    He nced at the sweet red bean soup and pushed it in front of her. "I don''t like this."