Seeing her return, he didn’t look up, kept turning pages, but his mind. was already elsewhere.

    Maureen walked step by step to stand before him.

    “I’m back, saw the flowers outside, they’re beautiful.”

    She’d seen the flowers that morning, only saying it now to tter him at the right time.

    Geoffrey closed the book, looked up slightly, his handsome face facing Maureen: “Mm.”

    His voice was maic, but his eyes were full of mixed feelings.

    Maureen sensed something was wrong with him, but didn’t know what was the matter.

    “I passed a nice Japanese ce on the way back, got you some.”

    She ced the takeout bag on the coffee table.

    Geoffrey rarely atete–night snacks, but she figured it was worth a shot.

    True to form, he pushed it away. “Not hungry.”

    His voice was t, yet felt like cotton stuffed in his chest.

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    Only he knew why-

    his mother’s phone call, Maureen’s child with another man!

    “Alright then, I’ll wash up and rest.”

    Maureen turned toward the stairs when his hand mped around her

    wrist.

    She froze, meeting his questioning gaze as he asked, each word deliberate.

    “Did my child really die at birth?”

    For the first time, pain etched Geoffrey’s features.

    The lie stuck in her throat, impossible to voice.

    When she stayed silent, he stood and pulled her into his arms.

    “Do you hate me too?”

    Maureen stood stiffly in his embrace.

    After a long while, she shook her head. “I don’t hate you.”

    She meant it.

    Geoffrey held her tighter at those words, his palm cradling her face with deliberate tenderness.

    Only now could he truly feel Maureen still belonged to him.

    Maureen knew the moment hade. Tilting her head up, she stood

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    on tiptoe and let her lipsnd on his Adam’s apple before grazing his

    mouth.

    Every spot she kissed burned like fire.

    Again and again–no matter how strong his self–control, it crumbled.

    He cupped the back of her head with one hand, iming her mouth in a possessive kiss.

    Whatever her motives tonight, he would have her.

    Feeling his shift, Maureen whispered between breaths, “I’m nervous. Could we have a drink first?”

    “Fine.”

    Meeting her damp gaze, Geoffrey restrained himself, voice gravelly.

    Maureen fetched the strongest liquor from the cer, slipping the drug Katherine provided into Geoffrey’s ss beforehand.

    For absolute sess, one encounter wouldn’t suffice–she needed to collect his sperm.

    Sober, Geoffrey would never allow that.

    Pouring wine into the ss, she handed it to him. To set his mind at ease, Maureen also poured herself a ss.

    “Cheers,”

    Today, Geoffrey didn’t refuse Maureen and drank the wine she poured

    in one go.

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    Maureen also took a sip, feeling a distinct burn in her throat.

    “Next time, get Tequia. The bottle you picked isn’t suitable for you.”

    With just one look, Geoffrey knew Maureen had chosen a bottle with the highest alcohol content.

    Tequia is a low–alcohol drink, not very harmful to the body.

    “Okay.”

    Maureen didn’t deliberately pour Geoffrey more wine.

    She knew she had to keep it within limits, not too eager, or he’d get

    wary.

    Besides, the amount she’d added earlier should be enough…

    Geoffrey was indeed impressive – arge ss of strong liquor downed without his face flushing or heart racing.

    He loosened his tie, took a breath, then scooped Maureen up and headed to the bedroom.

    On the way, Maureen nervously clutched his clothes and whispered:

    “I’m sorry.”

    Geoffrey paused, thinking she was unwilling.

    But she said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have faked my death and left without a word.”

    Maureen gazed at him deeply, her eyes filled with genuine emotion.

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    As long as she seeded tonight, she’d say anything.

    Geoffrey’s Adam’s apple tightened.

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    Maureen hadn’t waited for his answer. Her hand slid away,ing to rest on his narrow waist as she whispered a name she hadn’t spoken in years: “Geoff.”

    Geoffrey’s body stiffened, every drop of blood rushing to where she held him.

    “Hmm.”

    His voice was gravelly.

    Heid Maureen on the bed, his entire body leaning over her.

    Whether it was the alcohol or not, hearing her call him “Geoff” again felt like he’d been electrocuted.

    Pinning Maureen against the corner of the bed, he bent down.

    Maureen stared up at his handsome face. They were so close she could feel his breath, and fear began to rise in her heart.

    First, because of the past. Second, because she dreaded his fury tomorrow when he sobered up and realized she’d tampered with his drink.

    But this was a rare chance!

    Maureen couldn’t miss it–not when she was doing this to save her child.

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    She stopped overthinking, closing her eyes.

    Not until deep into the night did everything finally end.

    Geoffrey remained unconscious but held Maureen tightly against him.