bChapter /bb11/b.

    At dinner, Liza served a nourishing chicken soup for Rosalind.

    “Mrs. Foret, this is for you,” Liza said, cing a bowl before her.

    Then she set a different bowl in front of Christopher.“And this, sir, is yours.b” /b

    Christopher poked at the contents with his spoon, his expression shifting to somethingplex. Liza, bI /bbreally /b

    don’t need this.”

    Liza gave an awkward chuckle. “Well, you and Mrs. Foret are trying for a baby… A little extra boost bcan’t /bhurt, right?”

    Christopher nced at Rosalind, a flicker in his eyes. “Rosa and I bare /bjust fine. We don’t need any assistanceb./bb” /b

    “What is it?” Rosalind asked.

    “Oyster soup,” Liza replied.

    It was no wonder Rosalind thought the whole room smelled odd.

    Christopher suppressed a smile. “Liza, take the evening off. Don’t worry about the kitchen. Head home bearly/b.”

    Understanding dawned on Liza’s face.“Thank you, sir. I’ll be off now.”

    Christopher nodded and drained the bowl in one go.

    Rosalind wasn’t sure if it was bher /bimagination, but as he drank, his eyes stayed fixed on her, burning with an

    unmistakable heat.

    Rosalind quickly sent a text, “Get here. Now.”

    Eugene texted back, “iWhat/i?”

    “Get here soon, bor /byour precious best friendnds right back in my clutches.”

    Predictably, the reply was swift.“On my way.”

    Rosalind snorted.

    She wondered, “Mr. Benitez is quite the bcharacter/b.

    “If I hadn’t heard rumors about him liking women, I’d have sworn he is gay, hopelessly carrying a torch for

    Christopher.”

    “Who are you texting?”

    His voice was low, warm against her ear.

    Rosalind jumped. “Don’t hover. It’s hot.”

    “Feeling hot?” Christopher scooped her up effortlessly. “How about a shower? We’ll take a shower together.”

    He carried her towards the stairs and their bedroom.

    “Wait…”

     Chapter b11 /b

    Before she could finish, Christopher’s phone rang.

    He hesitated, then set Rosalind back on her feet.

    b“/bWork?b” /bshe asked.

    He pulled her close for a brief hug.“Go start the shower. I’ll take this and be right up.”

    “Are you sure you’ll be ‘right up‘?b” /b

    After a whole day ignoring his mistress, wouldn’t he need to rush out?” she sneered in her heart.

    Christopher grinned.“That eager? Fine. I’ll skip the call. Shower now.”

    “No!” Rosalind said quickly.“Take it. It might be important.”

    Christopher nced at the caller ID again.“Alright. I’ll be quick.”

    He turned and headed downstairs, already answering.“Yes? Hang on a bsec/bb…/b”

    Standing close, Rosalind could just make out the sound bof /bia /iwoman sobbing bon /bthe bother /bend.

    Rosalind bretreated /bto the bedroom and locked the door.

    She was scrolling through news articles when heavy, urgent pounding startled her.

    “His mistress must be having some crisis. He needs to rush off. Perfect,” she thought.

    Rosalind didn’t even open the door. “If it’s work, you should go.”

    But the bvoice /bthat came through wasn’t Christopher’s.

    “Open the door.”

    That voice…

    Rosalind unlocked the bdoor /bto find Eugene. He was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, wearing only loungewear, beads of perspiration rolling down his face.