CHAPTER 85: DEFROST

Daisy blinked, staring up at the ceiling. She had tossed and turned all night, waiting for Theo but he never came home. She sent messages, but they were left on "seen" with no reply.

Turning in frustration, she grabbed her phone from the pillow and dialed Aurora’s number.

"Hey!" Aurora’s surprised voice came through. "What’s happening? I heard about your mother-in-law."

"You know? How?" Daisy sat up straight.

"Err—The news is all over the internet. I read that she had high blood pressure and fell, causing a head injury," Aurora explained.

"Ahh..." Daisy just nodded quietly. She couldn’t bring herself to shout the truth aloud—’Ah... no, that was all Camellia’s doing.’

"What’s wrong? Why did you call me so early?" Aurora asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Oh, right. Do you have Liam’s number?" Daisy asked, trying to steady her voice.

"Liam’s?" Aurora paused. "I think I saved it when he asked me to. I’ll send it to you later."

"Why did he ask you to save his number?" The question slipped out before Daisy could stop herself.

A few seconds of silence followed. Then Aurora replied, "Well, isn’t it normal for a staff member to have their director’s number?"

"Ah—yes! Dumb me!" Daisy chuckled softly.

"Daisy, I will send you the number, I’m sorry, I couldn’t talk for long. I am waking up late, now I need to rush to get ready for work." Aurora said, her voice hurried but tinged with guilt, as if she wished she had more time to talk.

"Hmm, no, it’s okay. Go on! Let’s meet up when you’re free... There’s so much I want to talk about with you. Miss you, Rora," Daisy said, pressing her lips tight.

"Miss you too!"

Then silence. The call ended, and Daisy was left alone in the quiet room.

A message notification popped up, Aurora had sent Liam’s number right away.

She sighed, staring at the number as hesitation filled her heart. After a few moments of thought, she finally dialed Liam’s number.

"Morning!" Liam’s cheerful voice greeted her as soon as the line connected. Though he sounded upbeat, Daisy caught a faint edge in his tone, he’d definitely tease her if they weren’t in such a tense situation.

"Good morning, Liam. Are you still at the hospital?" Daisy asked.

"Hmm... not really a good morning," he replied with a slight scoff. "Yeah, still here. Why? Checking up on your husband? He’s not here..."

"He’s not there?!" Her voice rose unexpectedly, panic suddenly filling in.

"No, he left a little while ago," Liam replied calmly, though Daisy could hear the fatigue beneath his words.

"Do you know where he’s going?" Daisy’s voice wavered slightly, hesitation clear in her tone.

There was a brief pause before Liam chuckled softly. "What is this? Are you two fighting?"

"No! Of course not! It’s just... he’s been acting differently since yesterday..." Her voice was slow, hesitant.

"Ah..." Liam’s tone softened with understanding. "He probably just needs a reset right now, some time to clear his head."

"Really..." She exhaled lightly. "Then... I’ll just wait for him at home."

"A week," Liam added quietly, "that’s usually how long he takes... and he’s good at keeping himself hidden."

Daisy swallowed hard, her mind racing with a mix of relief and worry. A week felt like an eternity, especially with everything that had happened.

"Thanks, Liam. I appreciate you keeping me updated."

"No problem. Call me if you need anything." His voice held a gentle firmness that reassured her.

"Oh, should I go visit... Mom?" She hesitated, the word feeling awkward on her tongue since she and Theo hadn’t officially announced their marriage. "Theo told me to stay home because of all the reporters, but I still don’t feel right just staying here—"

"No, he’s right. Stay put. When Mom’s ready to come home, I’ll let you know, and then you can visit her."

Daisy nodded slowly, comforted by Liam’s words but still unsettled.

"Okay, I’ll stay put for now." She paused, biting her lip. "Thanks, Liam."

"Anytime, Barbie-in-law! And don’t stress over that frost man... he’ll come back once he defrosts himself."

Daisy chuckled softly despite herself. "I hope you’re right."

She glanced around the quiet room, the weight of uncertainty still pressing on her chest. But for now, Liam’s words were enough to hold onto.

She set her phone down and wrapped her arms around herself, settling into the uneasy stillness of the house.

"Who confesses to someone and then just leaves her like this?" she muttered under her breath, a mix of frustration and sadness swirling inside her.

She pouted and stood up, "What—"

"Oh God! Who’s there?!" She flinched as the door was suddenly knocked.

"I’m sorry, Madam, it’s me..." Lily’s voice came from outside the door. "I heard your voice and thought you might be awake. Would you like me to get your breakfast ready?"

Daisy walked toward the door and opened it, "No, it is okay Lily. I will tell you back when I’m ready to eat..." she smiled.

Lily’s gentle voice softened, "Alright, Madam and oh... one more thing, your things from your home are here."

Daisy’s heart skipped a beat. "My things?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lily nodded gently. "Yes, Madam. From your parents’ house. They arrived late last night. We didn’t want to disturb you."

Without hesitation, Daisy hurried out of the room, her footsteps quickening as she headed down the stairs.

Lily followed closely behind, her polite smile never faltering. "They’re in the living room, Madam."

Daisy’s brow furrowed as she surveyed the small pile of boxes scattered across the living room floor.

"Is this all?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment as she hurried to inspect each one.

Lily nodded gently, maintaining her calm composure. "Yes, Madam. That’s all we received."

She hurriedly opened box after box, her fingers trembling slightly with hope and growing frustration. Finally, she reached the one labeled with her name—her study table’s contents. She pulled out books, notebooks, and scattered papers, but her eyes searched desperately for something missing.

No matter how much she sifted through, she didn’t find what she was looking for.

"Are you sure these are all my things?"

Lily’s posture shifted nervously, her hands unclasping as worry crept onto her face. "I’m sure, Madam. Is there anything specific you want me to look for? I’ll help you."

Daisy shook her head softly. "No, it’s okay..."

She kept unpacking the boxes, her movements becoming more deliberate yet heavy with a growing sense of disappointment. The maids stood quietly nearby, watching with concern but saying nothing.