“What are you doing, Vanessa?” A man’s cool voice suddenly filled the room.

Startled, Vanessa quickly shoved the medication back in the drawer and closed it. She turned to face the tall man leaning against the doorframe, her expression sheepish, “Oh, nothing, Theodore. I was planning to make dinner, including your favorite creamy potato soup with the smoked ham. I just couldn’t find any ham in the fridge.”

“We don’t have any smoked ham. Phoebe doesn’t like cured foods,” Theodore blurted out, then even he seemed taken aback by his own words.

Why did he remember Phoebe’s dislikes so clearly?

A flash of stiffness crossed Vanessa’s face, her fingers whitening on the countertop from the pressure. Biting her lip hard to regain composure, she asked, “Could you help me peel the potatoes then?”

“Sure.” Theodore’s response was immediate as he rolled up his sleeves and walked over.

He had changed into his loungewear, a casual T-shirt and pants. The mere act of rolling up his sleeves somehow managed to enhance his rugged appeal.

Vanessa couldn’t help but be spellbound.

“Theodore, how can even rolling up your sleeves look so good on you?” she exhaled, overwhelmed by his presence. Why had she ever doubted his love for her to the point of testing it?

A man like him could satisfy her even without love.

However, greed is inherent. Possessing someone is not enough – one often yearns for their heart too. Although her scheme backfired, leaving her with nothing, she was determined to reclaim everything that was rightfully hers.

As Theodore started peeling a potato, he couldn’t help but think about how oblivious some people could be to the good things right in front of them. What a shame to not recognize one’s own blessings!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. His peeling was aggressive, as if he were carving into someone’s head rather than a potato.

Vanessa watched him from the side, his intense peeling stirring something within her. “Damn, he’s hot,” she thought. Only a man like that could be a match for her.

They say teamwork between men and women makes the job easier.

Vanessa felt a cozy delight. She kept busy with her own work but occasionally glanced at Theodore, feeling as though her heart was coated in honey.

In her youth, she didn’t understand love, always chasing a grand romance. Now, she regretted it, realizing that true love eventually settles into peacefulness. Having a small home and a loving man to cook dinner with every night is a simple, yet profound joy.

Yet her heart was full of Theodore, and his was clouded with resentment towards that heartless little woman.

Phoebe sneezed several times, and Mrs. Reynolds, who had just finished wiping her face, heard her and asked, “Phoebe, do you have a cold? Go take some medicine.”

“I’m fine, achoo…” Phoebe sneezed again, looking innocently at Mrs. Reynolds.

Mrs. Reynolds, both annoyed and amused, took her out of the bedroom. “You’re grown up, how come you can’t take better care of yourself?”

Phoebe forced a laugh, feeling another sneeze coming on, she turned her head away, “Mom, keep your distance, I don’t want to pass the cold to you.”

“Don’t worry about me, I’m as tough as they come. Where did you put the medicine box? Oh, there it is, on the coffee table.” Mrs. Reynolds muttered as she walked over and shuffled through the box, only to find no cold medicine left. Theodore had just given the last two pills to Vanessa, the empty box was still in the trash can. Phoebe noticed and said, “It’s okay, Mom, I’ll just drink some hot water.”

“What kind of logic is that? If hot water worked, would pharmacies still be in business?” Mrs. Reynolds retorted sharply before heading to the kitchen.

Seeing Theodore and Vanessa laughing together in the kitchen made her frown. “Theodore, go down to the pharmacy and get some cold medicine. Your wife caught a cold.”

A knot formed in Theodore’s stomach, but then he mocked his own concern. What was he worried about? It wasn’t like she appreciated his care.

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