Effie''s heart suddenly raced, her coffee cup trembling ever so slightly in her hands.


    She took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down, but her colleagues'' words echoed relentlessly in her mind.


    "Isabel... Lyman rushed straight to the hospital as soon as he heard..."


    Effie had been distracted the entire day, her thoughts nowhere near her work.


    After work, she drove straight home, barely remembering the route.


    To her relief, Lyman was already there when she arrived.


    The moment she stepped inside, rich, inviting aromas wafted to greet her at the door. Effie paused, caught off guard.


    Soon, a tall, lean figure emerged from the kitchen.


    "You''re back? Perfect timing. The duck and mushroom soup is almost ready-it''s good for you. Be sure to have an extra helping tonight."


    Effie nodded. "Thanks. That''s really thoughtful of you."


    "I just need to make a couple more sides. Why don''t you rx and watch some TV while you wait?"


    With that, Lyman disappeared back into the kitchen, sleeves already rolled up.


    Effie lingered at the doorway, watching his busy silhouette, a swirl of mixed emotions rising inside her.


    Was he trying to make it up to her? Guilty about what happened today?


    She quickly shook those thoughts away. What was she thinking?


    Effie walked over to the kitchen entrance, leaning against the doorframe. "Need a hand in there?"


    Lyman was rinsing vegetables, water sshing onto his shirt. He nced down, realizing he''d forgotten an apron.


    "Actually, you could help me tie my apron."


    Effie hesitated for a second, then stepped into the kitchen. She took the apron down from the hook and moved behind Lyman. Her fingers grazed his waist as she wrapped the strings around him, and she couldn''t help blushing, heat creeping up her face and ears.


    Lyman stood so tall, his shoulders broad. Standing this close, she could feel the warmth radiating from his body.


    Her cheeks grew even hotter.


    "All set." Effie exhaled, tying a knot at his back.


    Lyman turned and shed her a grateful smile. "Thanks. Go on and rx-I''ll be done in just a minute."


    Effie nodded and retreated to the living room.


    Sitting on the sofa, she found her eyes drifting back to the kitchen, drawn to his figure as he worked.


    Lyman really was a catch-good looks, good family, sessful in his own right.


    Honestly, she still didn''t understand why he''d agreed to marry her in the first ce.


    If Isabel was the one he truly cared about, why hadn''t he married her?


    Was it just a matter of pride between the two of them? Had Lyman only chosen her as a convenient escape?


    Effie''s thoughts drifted further and further, impossible to rein in.


    Still, seeing Lyman cook for her, she couldn''t help but feel touched.


    When she was with Mitchell, she''d always been the one giving. Even when she was sick with a fever, Mitchell wouldn''t so much as bring her a ss of water, let alone cook for her.


    He''d just tell her to see a doctor and drink more fluids always quick with advice, but never with real care.


    It''s only when you have something better topare that you realize how much you''ve missed.


    Now, Effie found herself longing a little for this feeling, though she knew she shouldn''t.


    She shook herself from her reverie and quickly turned on the TV, lowering the volume so it wouldn''t be too loud.


    But, as luck would have it, the entertainment news was on. The anchor was reporting on Isabel''s return and the ident at the airport.


    On screen, Effie saw Isabel''s delicate, graceful face. She wore a simple yet


    elegant trench coat, a faint smile touching her lips.


    Despite having suffered minor injuries in the incident, her poise was unmistakable.


    The camera cut to the hospital-chaos everywhere.