“Honestly, it’s nothing urgent.”“Grandpa, if you’re in the middle of something, keep chatting—don’t mind me.”Heidi’s cheeks pinked as she protested a bit too much.“If you’ve come looking for him, urgent or not, it’s still something.”“Joseph, go on with her. Don’t worry about me—I’ll sit here, have some tea, and rest.”Old Mr. Cooper could read his granddaughter as easily as a ledger. If he played dumb now, he’d be truly obtuse. Decades in the marketplace had honed his eye; Heidi’s little ploys were plain as day.“Ah… perhaps I should stay and keep you company.”Joseph hesitated, caught between politeness and propriety.“No need. Go on, really. Off you go—I’m tired. I’ll take a little rest.”The old man waved him away.“Alright.”Joseph rose and glanced at Heidi.She deliberately looked aside, feigning nonchalance and failing at it.Seeing her, Joseph understood—she had a reason for dragging him off. What reason, he couldn’t yet guess.“I’ll step out for a bit.”He excused himself

At her words, Joseph couldn’t help the flush that crept across his weathered face. He had to admit—she wasn’t wrong.“What nonsense is that? Your sister and I are divorced. Don’t make it sound so messy.”His gaze flickered.“Exactly because you’re divorced, it’s easier. More natural.”“Divorced or not, you can still treat me as… that.”Heidi’s eyes lingered on Joseph’s solid frame, her gaze an unmistakable provocation.“All right, that’s enough.”“Thanks for the gift. I really like it.”Joseph knew he couldn’t stay. If he lingered here any longer, things would almost certainly veer into unspeakable territory.“Hey, brother-in-law, I’m not finished!”Seeing him head for the door, Heidi hurried after him.“What is it?”“I’m visiting a friend in a few days. Want to come with me? She’s adorable—sweet, gentle, prettier than me, kinder than me.”Heidi chattered at his shoulder, relentless.“Come on. What would it look like, me trailing along to one of your classmates’ houses?”Joseph rolled

“I’m driving. I’ll talk when I’m home.”It was all Joseph could do to reply that much to Heidi.“Oh. (eye roll)”Her single word came with an eye-roll emoji—loaded, suggestive.Joseph let it be and focused on the road. With that mischievous girl, one never knew what she’d do next. She was willful, yes, but truly kind to him, and the household staff adored her. Maybe that was Heidi’s peculiar charm.He was still mulling it over when his phone rang again. The caller ID flashed: Mason Alvarez.“Hey, you incorrigible man—are you back yet?”Her voice was warm honey through the speaker.“On my way.”“We’re out of sesame oil and grilling oil. Pick some up. We’re doing barbecue tonight—we’ve started the prep. Hurry home.”“Got it.”“Okay, see you. Mwah—big kiss!”She blew a playful kiss and hung up.Joseph could only grin. That woman—so chaotic, so endearing. He pressed the accelerator a little harder.Halfway back, he pulled in at a store and grabbed everything they’d need for the barbecue.

“Some things must wait for their time. I can’t tell you yet.”“Next to a man like Joseph, the rest of us are ordinary.”“You said he’s popular at Nova University—recognized for his scholarship and everything else.”“To me, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. His abilities go far beyond that.”Old Mr. Cooper’s tone turned quietly enigmatic.“Now you’re only making me more curious,” Heidi sighed.“If you’re curious, ask him. If he thinks it’s time, he’ll tell you.”“But in his current state, I doubt he remembers much,” the old man added with a genial smile.“What about my sister?” Heidi pressed.“What about her?” He blinked, momentarily puzzled.“After marrying him, she spent years like a machine—always working, unhappy with everyone, twisted up inside.”“She resented being pushed into that marriage.”“But so much has happened lately. She’s learned so much. Naturally, something inside her shifted.”“For a woman, isn’t that its own kind of torment?”Heidi’s breath left her in a sigh.“Sh

“It’s fine, Joseph. I’ll clean up slowly. Just come back up when you’re done.”Alice’s voice was sweet as she spoke.Watching Alice quietly and diligently bustling about, Joseph felt an unexpected pang of tenderness for the girl. Lately she’d been so much more industrious—learning to cook, helping with the housework. Before they were together, she’d been a pampered heiress, adored by all. In her family, she could have gone a lifetime without lifting a finger and no one would have batted an eye.Yet ever since she’d been with him, she’d volunteered to do it all.Guilt pricked at Joseph’s heart. He resolved to shoulder more from now on, to spoil her a little extra. Or better yet, have the wild, untamable Mason Alvarez pull more of the weight.He mulled it over as he headed downstairs.Once there, he brewed a quick pot of tea before turning toward the bathroom. The door stood half-closed, and he thought nothing of it as he pushed it open.“Ah!”No sooner had he stepped inside than a scre