It made her uneasy.

    She liked the lights bright, every corner lit up so nothing hid in the shadows.

    But this wasn’t her home anyway. She picked up her pace, hurrying down the stairs.

    “Little Elissa.”

    She was just stepping off thest stair when Frank’s gentle voice drifted from the living room.

    Yet, something in the way he said it was different. There was an undercurrent she couldn’t quite ce.

    She looked over and saw him sitting quietly on the sofa, his amber eyes clouded and distant, loneliness etched in every line of his face. But when their gazes met, his eyes suddenly softened, growing clear and bright.

    Frank stood, crossing the room with those long strides. Maybe it was the sleepless night, but his voice sounded rough. “You must be hungry. Come eat something first.”

    As he spoke, he nced at her hand, which was absentmindedly pressing against her stomach.

    Elissa was, in fact, ufortably hungry, but she didn’t want to linger here. “That’s alright. I’m fine.”

    “After you eat, I’ll have someone take you home,” Frank said firmly, blocking her path. The message was clear. The bodyguards still stationed outside weren’t going anywhere until he said so.

    Elissa took a deep breath and turned toward the dining room.

    Edna, who’d been fretting in the kitchen, worried the two might start arguing again, instantly brightened at the sight of them together. She bustled in, beaming, carrying a steaming dish. “Everything tonight was made by the young master himself, just for you. Go on, try it while it’s hot.”

    Edna worked quickly, soon filling the table with five dishes and a pot of soup, then setting out tes

    and silverware.

    Elissa had never known Frank could cook. But it didn’t really matter. In three years of marriage, they’d hardly shared a meal together.

    Frank pulled out the chair she always used. “Give it a try. If you don’t like my cooking, Edna made some soup for you, too.”

    “Alright,” Elissa replied, sitting down without hesitation.

    Instead of taking his usual seat across from her, Frank settled into the chair beside her.

    She wondered if he’d asked Edna about her favorite foods–he’d even made a green bean and sausage stir–fry, something he never ate himself. The other dishes, too, were things Elissa used to enjoy.

    She’d barely taken her first bite when Frank couldn’t hold back any longer. “How is it? Is it too salty?”

    “No,” she shook her head. “It’s alright.”

    She’d never thought Frank was a fool–quite the opposite. He was sharp, capable of seeing through Marcia’s old maniptions time and again. He was clever, but he indulged people. He forgave without boundaries.

    Hearing her answer, Frank finally rxed, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “Then have some more. If you like something, just tell me. I’ll make it for you anytime.”

    “That’s not necessary.”

    Elissa’s refusal was calm, her tone t and unyielding.

    There was no “anytime” left between them.

    If Frank heard the meaning behind her words, he didn’t show it. His smile stayed as he iced /ia piece of braised beef onto her te. “Well, at least eat a little more tonight.”

    Elissa said nothing, focusing on her meal. Her stomach was upset, so after eating just enough to take the edge off, she reached for a steamed crab. She didn’t bother with the special utensils, just tried to break it open with her hands.

    She hadn’t counted on her fingers slipping on the oily shell. The sharp edge sliced her finger, and she drew in a sudden breath. “Ow-”

    “What happened?”

    Frank’s eyes snapped to her hand, catching sight of the small bead of blood welling up. He frowned and, without thinking, took her hand and pressed her finger to his lips.

    His eyes were filled with nothing but tenderness.