When Arwen returned to Winslow Residence, she received a call from Mr. Cole. Her brows raised slightly, but she answered it. "Yes, Mr. Cole."

"Young Miss!" the butler greeted with slight hesitation, but then composing himself, asked, "I called to ask if you would like me to bring your favourite dishes. Or anything that you need?"

"I got everything that I need, Mr. Cole. I don''t need anything as of now." Arwen responded, as if she hadn''t sensed his curiosity yet. "As for the dishes, it''s fine, I will let you you when I come back next time. Prepare them then."

"Oh okay, Young Miss," he said. Arwen smiled a little before asking. "Mr. Cole, why did you think that I might be needing something." She had asked so fluidly that the butler only realized he had answered her after he had already spoken.

"It''s because Mr. Foster came yesterday, looking for you. And he seemed quite worried and —"

"So you called to check on me?" Arwen asked, frowning. But her frown wasn''t for the butler''s concern; it was because of Ryan''s appearance at her place. Why would he go there? She could count his number of visits to Quinn Villa on her one hand. He never visited unless it was strictly necessary.@@@@

The butler apologetically replied, "Miss, your parents have asked me to look after you while they are away. I was just doing my duty."

"Mr. Cole, I am doing well. You don''t need to worry. As for my parents'' instruction, I will talk to them when they arrive," she said.

"I understood, Young Miss," the butler responded, but Arwen''s thoughts lingered on Ryan''s sudden visit. The more she wanted to distance herself from him, the more he had started to appear in her life recently. Why was he now haunting her?

"Is there anything else, Mr. Cole?" Arwen asked, her tone laced with the irritation that she was feeling inside.

Sensing her mood, the butler paused for a moment before saying, "Apart from informing you that your parents will be arriving back in two days, there is nothing else."

"Don''t you think I am being greedy here?" Arwen asked. "Shouldn''t you be doubting your decision to marry me instead? Why are you accepting all of this so nonchalantly?"

"Demanding something from your husband doesn''t make you greedy, Moon. But yes, if I didn''t agree, it would surely make me look stingy and incapable. And —" he paused before adding, "I can''t let my wife doubt my capability."

Arwen was rendered speechless. Could she even say something after that?

Calming her heart that was racing from his words, she pouted and arrogantly said, "Fine then, if that''s what you believe. Just don''t complain later when I spend it all. You won''t even have a chance to regret it then."

Aiden smiled and shook his head. "Don''t worry, I will never regret anything related to you, Moon. Except —"

He paused, and Arwen blinked at him, waiting for him to finish his sentence. "Except?"

But Aiden expression showed clear reluctance to continue. Arwen frowned and stared at him. "Don''t leave your words unfinished, husband. Finish it."

Aiden didn''t speak, just stared at her as if reliving his regrets all over again. Arwen could sense the weight of his gaze but still could not understand the reason behind it. It was like the same missing puzzle that had always remained unsolved.

"Except what, Aiden?" she probed, not ready to let it go. "Tell me."

"Except for not finding you sooner, Moon" Aiden said softly. I should have found you earlier. I regret taking so long."

Though his answer was clear, Arwen still felt a major missing. It wasn''t like she doubted it t be a lie that he made to escape the situation. But still, she felt there was more to the story —something she couldn''t yet see, couldn''t quite understand.