Nathan opened his mouth, still trying to defend himself. “I—”
“Alright, Mr. Lowe,” Wanda cut in. “The more you explain, the worse it sounds. You know exactly what goes through your mind when it comes to Mrs. Lowe.”
Nathan fell silent.
She wasn’t wrong. Sometimes, he really couldn’t help himself.
Just then, Ivy came downstairs. “Morning.”
Nathan looked up.
She was wearing a soft pale-yellow dress. Her long curls were loosely pinned up, and pearl earrings rested against her ears. She looked gentle, almost glowing.
Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, wrapping around her as she stepped inside.
Nathan couldn’t take his eyes off her.
But before he could keep staring, Wanda stepped right in front of him.
“That’s enough staring.”
Nathan was speechless. Was he not even allowed to look at his own wife?
Ivy took her seat at the table, and Wanda placed a glass of milk in front of her.
“Drink your milk.”
Ever since Ivy got pregnant, Nathan had a strong feeling his status in this house had dropped straight to the bottom.
Once the baby arrived, it would probably sink even lower.
Ivy took a sip, then suddenly remembered Edric’s call. Roger’s birthday was coming up, and he wanted her to bring Nathan home.
The event mattered. Nathan’s presence mattered.
She glanced at him across the table, unsure how to bring it up.
The moment she asked, it would mean relying on him again. Would he agree?
“Are you free tomorrow?” Ivy asked.
Nathan looked at her. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes. Do you have time?”
“Is something planned?”
“Not really,” she said softly. “I was thinking we could go out for dinner.”
Nathan raised a brow.
For a moment, his thoughts stalled.
She was inviting him to dinner?
Did the sun rise in the west today?
“I’ll have Baxter rearrange my schedule,” Nathan said. “I’ll go with you.”
Really?
Ivy’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected him to agree so easily.
Just then, Nathan’s phone rang. He answered.
“Good morning, Mr. Lowe,” Baxter said.
“I was just about to call you,” Nathan replied. “Reschedule tomorrow’s appointments. I have plans.”
“Actually, I’m calling about tomorrow too,” Baxter said. “There’s a problem with the overseas project. The team can’t handle it. They need you there in person.”
Ivy sat close enough to hear everything.
So there was trouble overseas. He had to leave tomorrow.
Nathan’s expression tightened. “What happened?”
Baxter lowered his voice. “Part of the construction site collapsed. There may be casualties.”
Nathan’s face darkened. “Understood.”
After ending the call, he looked at Ivy.
“There’s an issue overseas. I need to go handle it. Is tomorrow’s dinner important?”
Ivy had already heard enough.
Workers might be injured. The situation was serious.
Compared to that, Roger’s birthday didn’t seem important anymore.
She shook her head. “No. It’s not.”
“I’ll be away for a few days,” Nathan said. “When I get back, we’ll go out.”
Ivy nodded. “Okay.”
Nathan stood and left for the office.
