?Chapter 2799:


    “You’ve got quite the nose. I prepped it this morning—promised you I’d cook, remember? Today’s the day. If it’s not to your liking, tell me, and I’ll tweak it next time. Go on, have a seat.”


    He gestured to the sofa.


    “What would you like to drink? I’ll get it.”


    “Water’s fine, thank you.”


    “Coming right up.”


    Ellis poured her a ss and soon returned.


    “This ce? My third brother picked it. Thought I’d be morefortable here, so he bought both floors and had them redone. I only moved in recently—still living out of boxes.”


    “I see,” Hadley murmured, cradling the ss without much interest.


    It was obvious—Ellis was the youngest, doted on by his parents and three older brothers alike.


    Perhaps that was why they hadn’t objected to him being with someone like her—a divorced single mother.


    “Hungry?” Ellis asked while rolling up his sleeves.


    “Wait here.”


    He nodded toward the kitchen.


    “I had a housekeeper prep the ingredients earlier. Just need to cook them now. Won’t take long.”


    He rummaged in the drawer, pulled out a remote, and switched on the TV.


    “If you get bored, pick something to watch.” He handed her the remote.


    Hadley epted it with a faint pause. Should she offer to help? Their dynamic was still awkward, the nature of their arrangement making it hard to act naturally.


    “Just stay put.” Ellis caught her hesitation.


    “No need to help—I’ve got it. You just wait.”


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    Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, “Not just today—once we’re married, you won’t have to lift a finger. What you didn’t have to do at the Flynn house, you won’t have to do in the Gomez house either.”


    “Alright,” Hadley nodded, her momentary unease fading.


    “Good. Wait here—it’ll be ready soon.” Ellis smiled before heading into the kitchen.


    Hadley flipped through channels absentmindedly, settling on a variety show for background noise.


    The kitchen was open-n, so every clink and sizzle reached her ears.


    Mouthwatering aromas wafted out now and then.


    After about half an hour, Ellis called her over, still in his apron.


    “All set. Let’s eat.”


    “Okay.” Hadley ced the remote aside, stood, and followed him to the dining area.


    On the table, four dishes and a soup awaited—each one fragrant and beautifully ted.


    “Surprised?” Ellis chuckled.


    “Didn’t expect me to actually know my way around a kitchen, did you?”


    He pulled out a chair for her.


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