Lila returned to Vermilion Estate and informed Kieran that she’d be heading back to Mapleford tomorrow.

Their relationship had only just begun to deepen, and though Kieran was reluctant to see her leave, he understood he couldn’t stand in the way of what she loved.

As for Lila, while she wanted to spend a few more days with him, her eagerness to check on the progress of the elementary school project far outweighed seeing Kieran.

She hadn’t even booked her plane tickets yet when Amelia’s video call popped up on her screen.

“Wanna hang out tomorrow?” Amelia asked casually.

Lila hesitated for a moment.

“Are you busy? I was thinking of calling Noah and Ruby to join too,” Amelia added.

Though Amelie hadn’t been gone for long, the family couldn’t stay gloomy forever.

She had practically assigned herself the role of the Morgans’ mood manager, determined to lift their collective spirits.

“I was planning to head back to the show tomorrow,” Lila said carefully.

“To see that celebrity of yours? I saw the teaser for the show. Doesn’t seem like you need to stick with them as a manager, right?”

Amelia sounded puzzled. The show revolved around growing vegetables, fruits, and crops a process as slow and patient as the plants themselves.

The crew just filmed the participants working and the gradual progress of the greenery.

It was interesting in its own way-calm and soothing, like a slow-burn reality show.

“It’s not about the show. I need to check on the elementary project, see if they’ve made progress,” Lila explained.

Amelia nodded in understanding but then rubbed her chin, her face lighting up with a cheeky grin.

“With Uncle Kieran helping out, I’m sure everything’s under control. But if you’re worried about funding, why not stay tomorrow and hang out instead? I’ll pitch in two million from my secret stash for you.”

Lila choked on the water she’d been drinking.

“I didn’t even know I was worth that much!” she sputtered, coughing.

Amused, she added, “Does this mean I can brag about raking in two million a day now?”

Just then, the door creaked open, and Kieran stepped in, catching her last two sentences. He raised an eyebrow, his expression both curious and amused.

Lila froze, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. Joking like this with Amelia was one thing, but having Kieran overhear? Mortifying.

She nodded quickly and said into the phone, “Alright, I’ll stay with you tomorrow. Everything else can wait for now. Gotta go.”

Before Amelia could respond, Lila ended the call in a flash. Amelia stared at the blank screen for a moment, touching her chin thoughtfully.

What was the rush?

She hadn’t even finished what she was going to say.

Shrugging, she turned to the window, where the night sky glittered over the city. Her eyes lit up.

She had heard the sound of Kieran coming in earlier.

Those two… were they about to…? Hmm, things seemed to be moving along pretty quickly.

Meanwhile, Lila had no idea that Amelia’s thoughts had already spiraled off into outer space.

“I’m going to take a shower,” Lila said, standing up.

“Need any help, Mrs. Morgan?”

Lila’s eyes went wide. “Absolutely not, thanks!”

She shot a glance at Kieran, only to catch the playful smirk tugging at his lips. He was teasing her on purpose.

Avoiding his gaze, she turned on her heel and hurried into the bathroom.

When had he gotten so shameless?

By the time she stepped out of the shower, her emotions had calmed, and she felt like herself again.

Kieran was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head bowed as he typed out a reply on his phone.

Lila walked over to him, but because her feet were still damp, her slippers slipped suddenly on the floor. Losing her balance, she stumbled forward.

Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself, but her hand landed on Kieran’s shoulder

novel

instead-sending him flat onto the bed, with her on top of him.

Their eyes met, and Kieran tossed his phone aside casually. “Mrs. Morgan, does

this count as throwing yourself into my arms?”

He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her firmly in place.

“I didn’t mean to,” she said quickly. It was the truth, but even she could hear how unconvincing it sounded.

His voice, warm and laced with amusement, brushed against her ears. “I know.”

Lila remained frozen for a second longer, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath her. Ske braced her hands against the bed, ready to push herself up.

Before she could, Kieran’s voice deepened, his words swirling in her ears. “Next

time, you can do it on purpose.”

Her heart jumped, and she scrambled away in a flash, mumbling something under her breath.

“I’m on my period, so no,” she muttered.

“Hm?” Kieran didn’t catch what she said.

She waved him off hurriedly. “Go shower, I’m going to sleep. I have to hang out with Ame tomorrow, and the day after that I’m heading back

to the show.”

Kieran chuckled softly, obediently getting up and heading to the bathroom.

As she sat down, Lila suddenly thought about the elementary school project back

in the village.