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    Xylia simply didn’t have the energy to go back to the office, so after dinner she just started working from her


    apartment.


    Luckily, Joshua had arranged a private art studio for her before she moved in.


    She sat in front of her drawing board in a shy, slightly awkward posture, carefully working on thetest order for a traditional outfit.


    After being ignored by Xylia all afternoon, Joshua started seriously reconsidering his actions.


    At that moment, he came over with a ss of milk, putting on his most charming smile to try and win her favor.


    “Sweetheart, you must be tired from drawing. Want some milk? Or how about some fruit? I can wash it for you,” he offered.


    Xylia turned her head to look at Joshua, who was going all out to win her over. She couldn’t help but notice how he could switch moods in the blink of an eye.


    Right now he was happily calling her “sweetheart” every other word, but the moment they were in bed, he’d suddenly switch and start calling her “sister,” especially when he wanted to act all cutesy. Honestly, it was…


    ‘Seriously… Xylia thought to herself.


    ‘Is this supposed to be some kind of weird kink?‘ she wondered, feeling baffled.


    Conveniently, Xylia was a little thirsty, so she epted the milk from Joshua and took a sip.


    As soon as she tried to set the ss down, Joshua–eager as ever–snatched it from her hands like a loyal puppy and ced it on the floor himself.


    When he saw Xylia’s expression soften, Joshua immediately jumped in, saying, “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t <i>lose </i>control like I didst night.”


    Xylia’s ears flushed red in an instant.


    “You still have the nerve to bring that up!” she retorted, louder than usual.


    She hardly ever raised her voice, but right now she just couldn’t help herself.


    Seeing that she was finally paying attention to him, Joshua’s grin grew even bigger, and he immediately tried to butter her up, shamelessly pushing his luck.


    “Alright, alright, I’ll zip it. From now on, I’m all yours–whatever you say goes, whether it’s out here or… you know, in bed…”


    “Joshua!” Xylia’s cheeks burned bright red as she shot him a fierce re. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence!”


    Joshua’s trademark flirtatious eyes curved up in a teasing smile.


    He pressed a gentle kiss into Xylia’s palm.


    Xylia snatched her hand back like she’d been burned, her cheeks burning up even more.


    “I won’t say another word. I’ll be good, promise,” Joshua said quickly.


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    Xylia gave him a bossy re, then refused to pay him any more attention and focused on her drawing again.


    Joshua grabbed a little stool and scooted over right next to her.


    Since his stool was lower than Xylia’s, his long legs had nowhere to go, so he folded them up awkwardly. Ended up looking shorter than her, and then–like a spoiled kid–he snuggled in and rested his head on herp.


    She looked down at him for a moment but didn’t push him away either.


    Sunlight poured in through the window, bathing their cuddled–up figures in a gentle golden light.


    Joshua stayed quiet, not causing any trouble.


    After a long while, when Xylia finally finished her sketch, she realized Joshua hadn’t moved an inch.


    She figured he must’ve dozed off.


    But when she nced down, she saw his eyes open, quietly watching her drawing.


    Sensing Xylia pause, Joshua spoke up, “Who’s the Tang suit for?”


    “It’s for ady named Beatrice. Her grandfather’s birthday is next month, so she wants a luxury, custom Tang suit for him. She’s really picky about the details–even brought in some high–end fabric for us to use,” Xylia exined.


    While she was talking, Xylia reached out and lightly poked Joshua’s cheek. “Are there any big–name families with their old man celebrating a birthday next month?”


    Xylia nced up at him as she asked.


    Joshua looked up at her. “Why are you so sure it’s someone from an old–money family? Just because she brought in fancy fabric doesn’t mean she’s got pedigree. Could be she’s just loaded.”


    Xylia shook her head. “No way. Beatrice is really refined–she doesn’t give off that nouveau riche vibe at all.


    Besides, the fabric she brought in isn’t some luxury brand you can just pick up if you’re rich; it’s exclusive, takes months to pre–order, and even with money you couldn’t get it unless you’ve got real connections or status. If she wasn’t from a truly influential family, there’s no way she could have gotten her hands on it.”


    Joshua paused for a second, thinking it over. “George Jennings has his big birthdaying up next month.”


    Xylia blinked in surprise. ‘Huh, I never would’ve guessed it was someone from the Jennings family,‘ she


    thought.


    Thinking about all the drama between the Sadler and Jennings families, Xylia frowned.


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    “If George Jennings finds out I designed the Tang suit, you think he’ll just reject it outright? Or maybe even me Beatrice for it?” Xylia muttered worriedly.


    Joshua chuckled.


    He sat up from herp, but even after straightening, he still had to look up at her.


    “Everyone in Norhill knows about the feud between the Jennings family and yours. If Beatrice calls George Jennings her grandfather, do you really think she doesn’t know who you are?” he said.


    Xylia paused, the realization hitting her. “Oh, so she nned this?”


    Joshua took her hand and started gently massaging it, trying to soothe away her fatigue.


    “Doesn’t matter if it was deliberate or not. Just mind your own business–the Jennings family is totally out of your orbit,” he said.


    Xylia mulled it over and agreed.


    Be’s little face suddenly popped into Xylia’s mind.


    She sighed gently. “Ever since Mr. Jennings took Be away that time, I haven’t seen her at all. He probably made her stay away from me.”


    Joshua suddenly spaced out, just staring at Xylia with a nk look. “You like kids?”


    Xylia was just about to respond when Joshua’s brows knitted together sharply. “Wait, are you thinking about that little traitor again?” he blurted, sounding a bit jealous.


    At first, Xylia didn’t catch who he meant by “that turncoat.”


    But one look at Joshua’s face and she realized he was talking about Sonny–the little traitor.


    She gave Joshua a quick smack on the forehead.


    “Cut it out with the jealousy already. I’ve got nothing to do with the Ford family anymore–why would I even care about him?” Xylia shot back, rolling her eyes.


    Everyone says family ties are supposed to be unbreakable, but for Xylia, that’s just not true.


    She’d given everything for her own flesh and blood–only to be betrayed by him in the end.


    Even though Sonny was once a part of her, now that he’s gone rotten, she’d never take him back.


    Joshua still looked pretty grim.


    Xylia’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned in close to Joshua.


    “How about I give you a baby?”


    Joshua’s face turned bright red in an instant, caughtpletely off guard by her words.


    He was blushing so hard, he looked like a ripe tomato.


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    Xylia stared at him, totally shocked. She’d just thrown out his usual flirty line, thinking they were close enough for that kind of joke–and yet, as soon as she mentioned having a baby, he was blushing like crazy? She couldn’t believe it.


    Instead of turning away in embarrassment, Joshua looked Xylia right in the eyes, his expression resolute.


    “Would you really have my child?” he asked, hope and anticipation clear in his voice.


    Seeing how seriously Joshua took her words, Xylia was kind of stunned for a second. But honestly, she didn’t feel weird about it at all–in fact, it didn’t sound so bad. ‘Huh, maybe I’m really okay with this,‘ she thought.


    But then, she couldn’t help remembering just how much giving birth hurt. Last time, when she had Sonny, Mnie didn’t let her have any painkillers, and she ended up suffering for twenty–four hours straight.


    Choosing her words carefully, Xylia nced over at Joshua.


    “If I have your baby, will you make sure I get the epidural next time?”


    Joshua’s heart squeezed painfully at her question.


    He remembered how people always said giving birth was like knocking on death’s door, and the thought of Xylia ever going through that terrified him—he instantly shoved the baby idea right out of his mind.


    “Absolutely not! Even if we get married, no kids for us,” Joshua blurted out, almost reflexively, his voice full of determination and worry for her.


    He didn’t hesitate for a second.


    Xylia didn’t quite follow his train of thought. ‘Weren’t we just talking about the epidural? How did it turn into not having kids at all?‘ she wondered.


    ‘Did he really just switch the topic that fast?‘ Xylia thought, still a little lost.


    “You already went through hell once–and ended up with a turncoat for a kid. I don’t want you going through that again, and I sure don’t want you dealing with all that pain,” Joshua said, voice full of feeling.


    Xylia was honestly touched.


    As she nced down at Joshua, she could see that raw tenderness and deep care shining in his eyes.


    He really did feel for her.


    She leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice meltingly gentle.


    “Joshua, you’re so good to me,” she murmured.


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    Joshua’s mind was haunted by the thought of Xylia suffering through childbirth—all that pain, all that agony.


    He hugged her back, holding her fiercely in his arms.


    Joshua swore in his heart, he would never let Xylia endure that kind of pain again.