Chapter 244

Night had settled over Seraphina Villas, and the peaceful study was bathed in soft lighting.

At her desk, Verena wrapped up a few charts and files she had brought home from the hospital.

Emerging from the bathroom, Isaac glanced around,puzzled to find the bedroom empty. In the hallway, a servant carrying a glass of milk passed by.

Isaac intercepted her. Knowing Verena was working at the study, he said, relieving the servant of the glass,"Let me handle that. You can go rest."

The servant nodded and disappeared down the stairs.

Isaac opened the door and wheeled himself into the study. Verena looked up when she heard the door,her lips curving into a soft, welcoming smile.

"What brings you by?" she asked, voice warm.

Coming over, Isaac set the milk down with care,the warmth of the glass lingering on his palm.

He reached out, lightly touching the tip of her nose."You get so caught up in your work, I'm worried you'll forget your husband needs attention too," he teased. Verena laughed, standing and moving with ease to settle into his lap.

With both hands, she framed his face and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Forget you? Never. How could lignore my charming husband?"

The playful reply made Isaac's chest tighten with happiness, though he kept his tone earnest. "That's not all I'm worried about. You shouldn't be pushing yourself. Late nights aren't good for you, especially now."

Her eyes softened, and Verena nodded. "I know. It's nothing complicated tonight,just a little paperwork to get out of the way."

Even so, Isaac's concern didn't fade.Sensing his worry,she took his hand, guiding it to rest against her waist,her voice taking on a playful note. "My back feels a little stiff. Think you could give me a massage?"

The moment she asked, Isaac's expression shifted to gentle worry, and he started working careful circles against her lower back.

His hands were steady and gentle, as though she were something fragile and dear to him.

"I'm sorry you're feeling uncomfortable," Isaac whispered,his voice low. Verena's back pain carried a trace of truth, though she leaned on it more than necessary. Pregnancy often brought a dull ache to the lower spine, yet she was only at the beginning, and the strain had not grown sharp enough to trouble her deeply.

With a bright smile, she answered, "Thinking about our baby makes everything feel easy."

Isaac's hands worked skillfully, soothing every bit of tension from her lower back.

Verena nestled closer, letting herself melt into his warmth,listening to the steady thump of his heart, a look of peace settling over her features.

For a while, neither of them spoke, and Isaac started to think she had drifted off. Out of the blue, she said,"Something happened at the hospital today. Luis showed up and made a scene."

Luis' name hung in the air.

Isaac frowned. First, Luis tried to ask for Verena's number. Then, he pushed for a partnership with Bennett Group. And now, he stirred up trouble at her workplace.

At the thought, Isaac's demeanor shifted in an instant,his eyes turning cold and sharp. "I've clearly been far too patient with him," he muttered. Catching the tension in his voice, Verena gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Let's not dwell on Luis. He didn't do anything serious, just barked at a couple of nurses.What caught my attention was how Simon reacted."

Curiosity flickered in Isaac's eyes. "What did he do?"

Turning the silver cufflink on his sleeve between her fingers, Verena replied, "It was exactly like you suspected. Simon acted really protective of me-he burst in as soon as he heard Luis was there,stood up to him, and even grabbed my arms to make sure I was all right. There was real worry in his eyes. If we were just coworkers, he wouldn't have cared that much.After that, I approached him and tried to probe, but he clammed up. I couldn't figure out if he's hiding something."

A thoughtful look came over lsaac as he continued to massage her waist, his movements never pausing.

"I think I've got a plan," she chimed in.

His voice was gentle when he asked, "What do you have in mind?"

It dawned on Verena that his hand was still tracing gentle circles on her back.

With a gentle touch, she guided his arms around her waist and leaned in until her lips brushed against his ear.

Holding her close, Isaac pressed his chin softly to her shoulder, letting his breath trace along her neck,wrapping the moment in warmth.

She tipped her head, her words a soft whisper meant for him alone.

When he hesitated, Verena let out a playful laugh."What's this? Are you getting jealous?"

His cheeks flushed a shade deeper. He blinked, voice quiet but honest. "It wasn't the first time I got jealous,anyway."

That answer only made her grin wider. Isaac gave a sheepish cough before continuing,"I'll stay outside,and I'll ask Jacob to keep an eye out, too. If Simon tries anything, he'll regret ever setting foot near you."

Noticing how serious he'd become, Verena slipped her hand under his chin, lifting his face with a teasing smile. "Turns out Mr. Bennett can be pretty fierce when it comes to protecting his wife."

The look she gave him stopped him cold. For a heartbeat, he lost himself in the sparkle of her eyes and the curve of her lips, completely disarmed.

There was nothing but adoration in his gaze, his longing laid bare for her to see.

Then, without a word, Isaac cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a deep, lingering kiss. Morning sunlight spilled into the penthouse suite.

Simon, barely awake, groaned and fumbled for his phone,half-heartedly checking his notifications.

A message from Verena suddenly appeared, jolting him fully awake.

He sat up straight, blinking hard as if to make sure he wasn't dreaming, and hurried to open her message.

Verena asked, "Dr. Moss, if you have time this morning,would you like to join me for breakfast at nine thirty?I'd like to talk with you about something personal."

All trace of sleep vanished. Simon read her invitation over and over, a wide grin breaking across his face, his heart pounding with excitement, eyes alight with anticipation.

Verena had actually sent the invitation herself.

She'd reached out, asking him to meet with her-just the two of them. It wasn't for work. No one else would be joining. This was a private meeting.

For someone who usually kept her distance, her invitation for a private meeting meant something,even if just for breakfast.

Simon couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe,she cared about him more than she let on.

The idea took root in his mind, making his heart race the longer he considered it.

Hope lit a spark in Simon, pulling him from bed with a burst of energy. He hustled to the bathroom,splashed water on his face, and spent a long moment in front of the mirror, perfecting every strand of his hair.

His closet became a stage as he weighed one shirt against another, fussing over jackets and ties until he found the look that felt just right.

The prospect of having breakfast alone with Verena had him smiling like a schoolboy with a secret crush.

Half an hour later, Simon stood at the entrance of the restaurant, nerves fluttering in his stomach.

He stepped inside, caught sight of Verena waiting at a corner table, and hurried over. "Sorry if I kept you waiting," he said, his voice stumbling over itself. Verena's eyes swept over him as he drew near.

There was no missing the effort he put in.

A crisp black suit framed his shoulders, every seam and button in perfect place.

His hair looked freshly styled, glinting softly under the lights, and not a single lock dared to stray.

A gleaming watch rested on his wrist, and his shoes were so spotless, they looked brand new.

She realized she had never seen Simon put together with this much care before.