?Chapter 534:


    Lydia had long since fallen asleep.


    Fresh from a shower, steam still clinging to his skin, Jeffry slipped into bed, only to feel a warm body curl up against him.


    Jeffry pressed a soft kiss to Lydia’s forehead, his voice husky. “Did I wake you?”


    Lydia nestled closer, murmuring sleepily, “No… I just can’t sleep without you.”


    She had grown used to having him beside her. Strangely enough, sleeping alone felt impossible now. For over twenty years, she had only known sleeping alone. And yet, in no time at all, she had be ustomed to sharing her space. It was almost amusing how quickly people adapted to new habits.


    A small thought crept in—if he ever left, would she be able to sleep at all?


    She tightened her grip on him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Jeffry…e home earlier from now on, okay?”


    Jeffry’s gaze darkened, something unexinable stirring within him. Without thinking, he pulled Lydia closer. “Alright. Good night,” he murmured, his voice low and steady.


    Jeffry’s scent—clean, warm, and familiar—mixed with the soothing depth of his voice, wrapping around Lydia like a luby. Moments ago, she had been wide awake. Now, her breaths slowed, her body rxed, and sleep imed her.


    Jeffry kept his arms around her, but a crease formed between his brows. There were things she didn’t need to know. Things better left unsaid. Even if he got married someday, their rtionship—whatever this was—wouldn’t change.


    As the first rays of dawn crept through the curtains, Elena stirred awake. After a quick breakfast, she exchanged a few words with Jolie before heading out. She was going to the Spencer family home.


    On her way there, she crossed paths with Malcolm. He seemed to have a lot of free time, as she often encountered him.


    Malcolm rolled down his car window, shing his usual cocky grin. “Well, well, what a coincidence. Where to? Need a lift?”


    Elena barely spared him a nce. “Not going far. No need.”


    Malcolm arched a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Huh. The way you’re walking… headed to Wesley’s, are we?” He smirked. “If you two made up, then all my hard work wasn’t for nothing.” After all, he’d gone out of his way—sacrificed business at his shop—to y matchmaker.


    He was all set to brag about it until he noticed her face turn ice-cold.


    Elena exhaled sharply and looked away. “I have things to do. I’ll be going now.”


    Malcolm watched her go,pletely baffled. What the heck? Wesley had practically yed the knight in shining armor—why wasn’t that enough to win Elena over?


    Before long, Elena stood at the entrance of the Spencer family vi.


    The butler was already expecting her. The moment she arrived, the doors opened without question.


    Elena hadn’t spotted Gerald yet. Instead, she ran into Karen first. Karen looked nothing like her usual self. Gone was her arrogant posture—she looked exhausted, dark circles shadowed her eyes, her whole presence dull and lifeless.


    Karen had juste down the stairs when she spotted Elena. For a brief moment, she seemed caught off guard. She frowned, eyeing her suspiciously.


    “What the hell are you doing here?”


    With Gerald sick, Karen wasn’t in the mood to start a fight with Elena.


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