Someone knocked on the door.
Ivy instantly grabbed Nathan’s hand. “It’s Wanda!”
A moment later, Wanda’s voice came from the hallway. “Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, are you awake yet?”
Nathan raised a finger to his lips, signaling Ivy to stay quiet.
She whispered, “What are you doing?”
“Don’t say anything,” Nathan murmured.
“But Wanda—”
He lowered his head and kissed her, his voice rough. “Forget Wanda. Focus on me.”
“But…”
“If you stay quiet, she won’t know.”
He kept kissing her.
Then Wanda’s voice rang out again, louder this time. “Mr. Lowe, I know you’re awake! Don’t think staying quiet will fool me—I know exactly what’s going on in there!”
Nathan went completely still. For a split second, he actually wondered if Wanda had hidden a camera in the room.
The knocking continued.
“Mr. Lowe, open the door right now! If you don’t, I’m calling Mr. Keith—and if he hears about this, you’re sleeping in the study for sure!”
Nathan was speechless.
Seeing his expression, Ivy couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.
Nathan frowned. “What’s so funny?”
“I just feel like laughing!”
“You’re not allowed to laugh.”
He reached out and started tickling her.
Ivy squirmed, laughing harder. “I’m still going to laugh!”
Her soft body twisted beneath him, brushing against him through the thin fabric of their clothes. Nathan had already been on edge, and now the heat only intensified.
He had never imagined he’d be this… easily affected.
Nathan pinched her cheeks lightly, then kissed her firmly before finally letting go. He got out of bed.
“Coming, Wanda!”
Ivy’s face was flushed from the kiss. She pulled the blanket over her head, hiding beneath it.
Nathan opened the door to find Wanda standing outside.
“Who knocks like that this early?” he said. “You’ve been pounding on the door forever.”
Wanda remained completely unfazed. “I’ve taken care of you for years. I know your routine better than anyone. You’re definitely awake—you’re just lying there refusing to get up. And I told you last night, you shouldn’t be sharing a bed with Mrs. Lowe right now!”
Nathan sighed. “I didn’t do anything.”
Wanda clearly didn’t believe him. “Really? I’m going in to check on her.”
She walked straight into the room and over to the bed.
“Mrs. Lowe, are you alright?”
Ivy looked up at her. “I’m fine.”
“Did Mr. Lowe trouble you just now?”
“No, he didn’t.”
Nathan spoke immediately from behind, “See? I didn’t bother her.”
Only then did Wanda seem satisfied.
“Breakfast is ready,” she said. “Come eat while it’s hot.”
—
At the dining table, Nathan sat down.
Wanda placed breakfast in front of him and glanced his way. “I still think you should sleep in the study.”
Nathan froze.
He’d thought the matter was settled, but Wanda clearly wasn’t letting it go.
“I already told you, I’m not sleeping in the study,” he said helplessly. “And you just checked—I didn’t do anything.”
Wanda shook her head.
“If I hadn’t come when I did, you definitely would have!” she said with certainty.
She had seen enough over the years to recognize the signs.
Just moments ago, Ivy had been hiding under the covers, her face flushed, her eyes bright and shy—like a rose just beginning to bloom.
Wanda didn’t need proof.
She already knew exactly what had been going on.
