"Bet, I''m being serious," Yvonne said, pushing him away lightly, a hint of annoyance in her voice.


    "So am I." Bet''s arm snaked around her slim waist, pulling her into hisp as he kissed her again.


    Just as they were lost in their passionate kiss, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.


    "Bet, you..." Emma began as she walked in carrying a thermos, only to find Bet and Yvonne locked in a kiss. They broke apart in a fluster at her sudden intrusion.


    Yvonne''s face turned beet red, and she wished the floor would swallow her whole.


    Bet, sitting on the edge of the bed, remained rtively calm, though a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. Being interrupted was never pleasant.


    "Could you please knock next time?"


    "Fine," Emma replied coolly, walking into the room with her thermos.


    "Mrs. Moore," Yvonne greeted her politely.


    Emma gave her a cold nod and ignored her.


    Yvonne had been by Bet''s side constantly, while Emma only visited asionally.


    She never gave Yvonne a hard time, but her attitude was always frosty.


    Yvonne knew Emma didn''t like her and would find an excuse to leave whenever she arrived. This time was no different.


    "I''ll go get his medication from the nurse," Yvonne said, quickly exiting the room.


    Once again, the room was left to just Emma and Bet.


    Emma opened the thermos, releasing a fragrant aroma.


    "The cook at home made some ginseng and chicken soup. It''s very nourishing. You should drink plenty."


    Bet: "I''m not hungry. Just leave it for now."


    "You have no appetite for what I bring. What would give you an


    appetife? Should I call your I


    sweetheart back to feed ytle


    Emma said irritably.


    To her surprise, Bet replied matter-of-factly, "Yes, that would be great. She can''t


    have gone far. Would you mind asking her toe back?"


    "Bet!" Emma eximed, annoyed. "It''s like that Yvonne has you under a spell. I really don''t know what you see in her."


    "And I don''t know what you dislike about her," Bet retorted.


    The question caught Emma off guard.


    In truth, there was little to dislike about Yvonne.


    She was young, beautiful, and intelligent. While her family background wasn''t as prominent, she was still the granddaughter of the James family, which made her part of high society. Besides the Thompsons were powerful enough... not to need a strategic marriage to secure their status.


    As the heir to the Thompson family, Bet had the freedom to marry whomever he pleased.


    Emma''s dislike for Yvonne probably stemmed from just how much Bet loved her.


    Years ago, Bet had nearly destroyed himself over a woman, and Emma, as his mother, never wanted to see that happen again.


    A whirlwind romance sounded beautiful, but it was a double-edged sword that could leave one scarred.


    More than love, Emma wanted a


    stable, warm marriage for Bet with a wife from a simr


    background, someone


    well-mannered with whom he could share a life.


    They could have a child or two and support each other through life.


    Emma knew Bet wouldn''t listen to her, so she didn''t bother pressing the issue.


    She didn''t dare argue with him, not after his major surgery.