“You’re up? I made you breakfast. Eat a little, okay?”
“I figured you’d overthink everything after yesterday. I didn’t even rest—I flew back overnight.”
I opened my mouth to tell her there was no need, but then I saw a tall figure rush out of the bathroom, wearing my pajamas.
He walked straight over and wrapped his arms around Irene, saying teasingly,
“Irene, you really give off that married-woman vibe. My dream marriage is waking up to see my wife making me breakfast.”
My gaze darkened.
Irene had always treated her skillful hands like precious treasures. Cooking? Out of the question.
Back when we were still together, I once asked her to simply hand me a plate. She immediately gave me a cold glare and snapped, “Are you insane? Why are you wasting my hands on something like that?”
But now that my heart had gone cold toward her, she’s suddenly changed.
Irene quickly stepped out of Henry’s embrace, her tone flustered.
“You’re a grown man. Stop acting like a child.”
Then she turned to me and tried to explain, “It was raining when we landed. We got drenched. I told Henry to go home and change, but he insisted on coming here first to apologize. That’s why I gave him your clothes to wear.”
Henry stuck out his tongue playfully and said to me, “Mr. Carter, I came to say sorry! Yesterday was really just a joke! If it’ll help ease your mind, I’ll go on a blind date this weekend and get married right away. I promise I won’t get in the way of your relationship anymore!”
“Henry! Don’t joke around like that!” Irene called out, her voice sharp.
Then, noticing the mocking smile tugging at my lips, she quickly added, “What I meant is—Leo has always been gentle and kind. I’m sure he’s already forgiven you. There’s no need for you to rush into a marriage.”
“Right, Leo? Let’s just put yesterday behind us and pretend it never happened. Okay?”
My children’s bones weren’t even cold, yet she had been wrapped in tender whispers beneath a sky of fireworks with her little puppy.
And now, she wanted me to just… drop it?
Of course. I could.
I gave her a slow, mocking smile. “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
After all, they’d be heading to Africa soon enough.
Whatever their relationship really was, wherever they went last night, whatever they did, I didn’t care in the slightest.
Hearing my response, Irene seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.