"Mr. Theodore Locke," Vespera said, pronouncing each word carefully.

    Dominic''s brow furrowed. "He came to see you?"

    Vespera didn''t want him to suspect anything more between Theodore and Wanda.

    After a brief pause, she answered, "He''s an old acquaintance of my parents."

    It was vague enough to be taken in various ways—whether as a friend or merely

    a former ssmate. Let him interpret it however he wished.

    Though considering Theodore''s status and social circle, it was hard to believe he''d ever have met her parents, who were both in education. Their worlds didn''t intersect at all.

    Noticing Vespera''s hesitation, Dominic decided not to press the matter.

    "Alright. Got it."

    Vespera let out a quiet sigh of relief and ended the call.

    With a polite smile, she helped Wanda wee Theodore as he entered.

    Theodore shot Wanda a mischievous grin. "That was Vespera''s boyfriend on the phone, wasn''t it?"

    "No, no, of course not," Wanda replied, waving her hands.

    "No? But wasn''t that Dominic just now?"

    "

    Well, yes, but-"

    As the conversation took an unexpected turn, Vespera nearly broke into a cold sweat.

    She quickly intervened. "Mr. Locke, please, have a seat. Have you been in Halewick this entire time? When is Mr. Eden returning from Auralia? Are Mrs. Locke and Carly enjoying their stay here?"

    Theodore''s attention shifted, and he offered Vespera a warm smile.

    Settling into a chair, he replied, "Eden won''t be back until next week. I had nned to returnst rday, but Selena had some things to wrap up here, so I figured I''d stay a few extra days."

    As he mentioned staying longer, his gaze lingered on Vespera.

    "Vera, could you kindly prepare some tea for us?" Wanda quickly suggested, sensing the tension in the air from Theodore''s watchful stare.

    "Of course," Vespera replied.

    She headed to the kitchen, leaving Wanda to settle into her seat.

    Wanda couldn''t help but notice Theodore''s gaze following Vespera until she disappeared through the kitchen door.

    With a cough, Wanda cleared her throat. "Mr. Theodore, I must say, I''m rather surprised to see you here. Is there a specific reason for your visit?"

    "Nothing in particr," Theodore replied. "I was in Halewick and had some free time this morning, so I thought I''d stop by."

    He spoke with such ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

    Even if his exnation didn''t quite

    sound utterly usible. It was

    add up, he had a way t

    talent honed by years of privilege and ttery.

    Wanda held herself back fromshing out.

    A wave of guilt lingered within her. Though Theodore was nothing more than a hypocrite, she couldn''t forget the kindness his mother, Carol Sullivan, had shown both he and Natalie.

    Years ago, Carol had taken them in and even helped fund her university education.

    Out of gratitude for such kindness, Wanda felt she had no choice but to endure. Vespera returned with the tea and ced it in front of Theodore.

    "I heard your mother calls you Vera. May I call you that too?" Theodore asked, his gaze filled with a touch of affection.

    "...Sure, of course," Vespera responded politely, though inside, she couldn''t help but wonder, "What in the world is going on here?"

    "What year was Vera born in?" Theodore asked, turning to Wanda.

    Wanda crossed her arms instinctively, her voice steady as she answered, "1999." Theodore raised an eyebrow, pressing further, "What month?" "April."

    "April, huh..."

    "Yes, April. Why do you ask, Mr. Theodore?" Wanda said, a hint of confusion crossing her face. She quickly followed up with a question of her own.

    Theodore''s mind wandered back to thete Mirabelle, recalling that her due date had fallen around mid-February. Their child was meant to be born just before or around Valentine''s Day.

    Vespera''s difort grew with each passing moment.

    She observed Wanda, who sat unnervingly still.

    Her gaze then moved to Theodore. He appeared lost in thought, as though drifting

    into a far-off memory.

    It reminded her of what had urred earlier at the supermarket.

    A chilling thought suddenly crept into her mind-could Theodore think she was his illegitimate daughter?

    No, that couldn''t be it. But hadn''t he once remarked that she resembled thete Mirabelle?

    Wasn''t he the one who had cheated on Mirabelle while she was pregnant, allowing his mistress to be the cause of both her and their child''s death?

    Could it be... that Wanda somehow resembled thete Mirabelle?

    Was he now drawn to her, unknowingly captivated by the echo of a love he had lost?

    What on earth was happening?

    Just then, the doorbell rang, shattering the silence.