Luna and Blaze returned to Lakeside Manor and went straight upstairs.
Luna picked out a few outfits from the walk-in closet, then went to the bathroom to grab her usual skincare products, body lotion, and stretch mark prevention oil.
The items were scattered at the foot of the bed. Blaze bent over, carefully packing them one by one into a tote bag to take to the Frost family’s ho.
As Luna took out her electric toothbrush, she suddenly heard Blaze say, "I regret it."
"What?" Luna didn’t understand.
Blaze hadn’t said a word when they were at Pinehurst Estate. ’What could he possibly regret?’
Blaze sat on the bed, took her by the wrist, and pulled her over to stand between his legs.
He tilted his head up and told her, "I regret not kissing and holding you enough last night. And now, they’ve only just returned, and they’re already taking you away."
Luna was at a loss for words.
"The mont Mom and Dad are ready to head back to Kensing, you have to call ." ’I’ll drive them to the airport and bring Luna straight ho.’
"Okay. I’ll let you know as soon as they book their tickets."
She hadn’t thought much about staying at the Frosts’ ho.
But after what Blaze had just said, she started feeling apprehensive about the next few days, especially when it ca to sleeping at night.
Ever since they got married, she had always slept beside Blaze.
They had slept apart when Grandpa Fairchild was hospitalized, and she’d suffered from insomnia.
’What if I can’t sleep at the Frosts’ ho without Blaze beside ? Am I going to just lie awake until dawn?’
’And when I shower, Blaze won’t be there to help put lotion on my back and legs.’
Without realizing it, she had grown accustod to having Blaze by her side and had begun to rely on him.
Seeing her eyelids begin to droop, Blaze pulled her onto his lap. He knew Luna was reluctant to leave him, too.
He kissed her soft, dewy lips, his touch gentle at first, the pressure slowly, gradually deepening.
Luna wrapped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss with a practiced ease. As their lips t, a passionate and bittersweet kiss ignited between them.
Knowing they were about to be apart, they poured all their feelings into the kiss.
Before things could get out of hand, Blaze stopped, pressing his nose to hers and breathing deeply to calm the heat coursing through him.
Luna wasn’t in much better shape. Her lips were slightly swollen, and her limpid eyes were hazy with passion.
The sight of her, so enchanting and vulnerable, made desire coil low in his gut.
’If she weren’t pregnant with Lucky, I’d push her onto the bed and have my fill of her before letting her go stay with the Frosts.’
The atmosphere was too charged. Luna felt her face flush and knew she had to say sothing to keep it from getting any hotter.
"When Mom and Dad’s break is over and they head back to Kensing, I’ll co ho," she repeated.
Blaze didn’t reply, only nuzzling the tip of her nose with his.
Luna thought he was worried she’d be made to stay at the Frosts’ ho, just like Grandpa Fairchild.
She began to reason with him. "Look, didn’t the Frosts support Mom and Dad’s decision? Grandpa Frost believes in moderation in all things—that too much is as bad as not enough. So if I insist on coming ho, they’ll agree."
After a mont, she added, "Besides, living at Fairchild Estate doesn’t conflict with studying Traditional Chinese dicine."
Blaze raised a hand to smooth the ssy strands of hair on her forehead. "Luna’s right."
His love softened into tenderness as he caressed Luna’s face. "Go on. Have fun."
"Okay." Her eyes were sultry as she promised in a husky voice, "I’ll make sure to eat properly."
"Good girl," Blaze said, patting her head. "Check if there’s anything else you need. Books? School supplies?"
Luna got up and did a final, careful check.
Blaze remained seated, his eyes fixed on her flushed face.
Luna could feel his gaze on her, but she pretended not to notice, afraid that if their eyes t, they’d end up kissing again.
She couldn’t take too long packing.
Once she was sure she had everything, she said, "I just need to grab a couple of books from downstairs. That’s all."
Speaking of books, Blaze found another reason he didn’t want her to go. "If you’re staying there, what about Lucky’s bedti stories?"
Ever since they started reading to the baby, Blaze had never missed a single night of bedti stories.
Neither of them wanted to give up halfway.
Luna thought for a mont. "We can video call before bed."
Blaze’s expression remained neutral, but he let out a satisfied "Mhm" in agreent.
Blaze carried the tote bag downstairs while Luna grabbed her books from the reading nook. Then, they headed to Pinehurst Estate together.
Just before they left, Blaze pulled her in for a few more kisses, then, as if steeling himself, finally stepped out of Lakeside Manor.
As she got into Russell Frost’s car, Luna knew Blaze was putting her bag in the trunk, but she didn’t dare look at him.
Only now that they were truly about to part did she realize just how deeply, almost irrevocably, she had co to depend on Blaze.
「The Frost Residence」
The adults enthusiastically surrounded Luna, each offering a few words of welco until the cheerful chatter around her was constant.
May Ford personally showed Luna to her room.
"This room faces the street, so it can be a little noisy at night. You’ll just have to make do for tonight, Luna. Your uncle is already tidying up a quieter room in the back, so we can move you there tomorrow."
Luna looked out at the small balcony. It wasn’t large, and its floor was paved with small, green floral tiles.
The view from the window was lovely. Sunlight danced on the leaves, painting a lush, verdant scene.
The balcony overlooked Sweetbriar Lane, offering a view of the Frost family’s main gate.
"Aunt, please tell Uncle not to go to the trouble. I can just stay here." ’I’m only staying for a few nights; it’s too much of a hassle to move rooms.’
’Besides, having a leading liver disease specialist tidy up a room for is a bit of an overkill. I’m flattered, but it’s too much.’
May Ford was delighted, eager to give Luna the best of everything. "It’s no problem. It’ll give your uncle so much-needed exercise. He sits around all day and doesn’t move. His last physical showed he’s developing a fatty liver! It’s his own fault, anyway. His books are all over the place. It’ll be quick to tidy up."
Ethan Frost walked past the doorway holding a black bag, overhearing their conversation. "Mom, you should just listen to Luna."
May Ford tilted her head, her eyes fixed on the bag in Ethan’s hand. "What is it?"
"I’m positive Dad’s been sneaking snacks in his room under the pretext of working!" Ethan declared confidently. "I was helping him tidy up, and we found a huge nest of mice."
The color drained from May Ford’s face at the re ntion of mice. When she looked back at the black bag in Ethan’s hand, she went sheet-white.
Her lips trembled as she warned, "Stay away from ."
Ethan said, "And these are just the ones we caught. Who knows where the others are hiding. So, it’s better if Luna just stays here."
The thought of furry, long-tailed mice made May’s lips lose all color. She urged Ethan, "Fine, fine, I get it! Now hurry up and get rid of that thing! And stay away from !"
Ethan looked thoughtful. "I could find a place to keep them and take them to the lab after my break."
’So many mice. That’s a good bit of funding saved.’
"You dare!" May Ford snapped.
’If he really keeps them in the house, the whole place will be contaminated.’
Faced with his mother’s opposition, Ethan had no choice but to get rid of them, no matter how reluctant he was.
May Ford stood in the doorway, peeking her head out. Only after confirming Ethan was far away did she pat her chest, still shaken from the ordeal.
’Oh, Mason Frost, you’re in for it now,’ she thought. ’Sneaking snacks behind my back... Just you wait until tonight. I’ll deal with you then.’
When she turned back to Luna, her warm, gentle smile had returned. "Well, since that’s the case, it looks like you’ll have to stay here, Luna."
Luna replied, "It’s a wonderful room, Aunt."
With the sleeping arrangents settled, May Ford and Jenna Axton worked together to prepare a lavish dinner.
Theodore Frost looked at everyone gathered around the table, and his eyes grew red around the rims.
Seeing this man, who rarely showed any emotional fluctuation, get misty-eyed made everyone’s heart ache.
"This is a happy occasion. A happy occasion," Theodore Frost said, his voice thick with emotion. "Let’s eat."
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