After dinner, Richard and Nick didn't linger. They greeted Emerson upstairs and left.
Back in the bedroom, Blake's handsome face was clouded with gloom.
Catherine sat beside him and gently comforted, "They're gone. Don't let them get to you. It's not worth it!"
"I know, but I can't help it. This feeling is killing me," Blake said, rubbing his temples.
Catherine leaned on his shoulder. "Don't think about it. Emerson's not doing well. Let's focus on taking care of him."
Blake nodded. "I'll try to hold on. Once this period's over, I'll make them pay double."
Catherine felt helpless seeing his pain but couldn't do anything to ease it.
***
Late at night, Sunny and Leo were heading home after dinner, both tired.
As their car approached Leo's apartment, Sunny glanced out the window and froze.
She thought she'd seen Olivia.
She sat up straight and looked again.
Sure enough, a figure scrambled into a car and sped off.
Sunny blinked hard. It wasn't a trick of the light—it was Olivia!
"What's wrong?" Leo noticed her sudden stiffness and asked, concern in his voice.
"Nothing." Sunny hedged, not daring to voice her suspicion.
Leo didn't push further, pulling her into his arms instead.
Sunny rested against him, but her mind was racing. She was sure it was Olivia.
Why was she there? Was she looking for her?
Anxious, Sunny's heart pounded.
Back home, she wanted to ask Leo for her phones, worried Olivia might message her.
But fear held her back.
She decided to search Leo's room while he was showering.
Leo lazily undid his buttons, his movements elegant.
His deep eyes caught Sunny avoiding his gaze, which irritated him.
"Is the floor more interesting than me?" he teased, not liking being ignored.
Sunny jumped, forcing a smile.
"Of course not! You're much more interesting!"
Leo's fingers had already unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his masculine physique. Just a glance was intoxicating.
Sunny's heart raced as he approached. His cool scent filled her senses, and her cheeks flushed.
"Getting bored of me already?" Leo whispered, his lips near her ear.
Sunny tensed at his warm breath, flustered and unsure how to respond.
"Of course not! I could never get bored of you!"
Leo chuckled at her earnest reply.
After teasing her, Leo finally went into the bathroom. Sunny's nerves eased, and she sneaked to his bedside table, searching the drawer without luck. She then tiptoed into the closet, checking every drawer, but found nothing.
"What are you looking for?" Leo's deep voice startled her.
Sunny turned to see Leo wrapped in a towel, water droplets sliding down his chest. Panicked, she stammered, "N-Nothing!"
Leo dried his face, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Your phones?"
Sunny's heart skipped a beat. "Can I have them back?"
Leo closed in, water droplets glistening on his face. "Heard from Olivia?"
"No, I just wanted to see if she'd message me."
Leo turned to the study. Sunny hesitated, then followed.
In the study, Leo opened the safe and placed two phones on the desk. "Check for yourself."
"Really?" Sunny was surprised.
"Only if you promise no more lies."
Sunny picked up the phones but put them down. "You keep them. It puts your mind at ease."
"Weren't you just looking for them?"
"I don't want them now."
Leo tilted her chin. "You've been losing weight."
Sunny held her breath as his thumb grazed her skin.
"You've suffered enough," Leo said gently. "Growing up without love, always worrying about family."
Sunny's eyes welled up, and she hurried into the bathroom. Under the water's roar, her chest still felt tight.
The next morning, Sunny lied about fetching something and drove alone to her old neighborhood.
Near the elevator, she heard a familiar voice. Turning, she saw Olivia huddled in the corner, her once-polished appearance replaced by haggard skin and loose flesh.
"Olivia!" Sunny wept.