Chapter 57

Kaia's eyebrows knitted together,confusion flickering across her face. "Mom, what's gotten you all worked up?"

Laura could barely contain her excitement,her whole face lighting up. "You won't believe it-Barrie Lyons called this morning. He's not only stepping in to fix the club mess, but he said he'd drop by in two days to thank you himself for curing his leg!"

"Seriously?" Kaia blinked in surprise, and then broke into a wide, unstoppable smile. "He's coming here?"

Laura laughed and tugged her over to the couch."Why would I make that up? If you're doubting me,ask your dad."

Looking at Alec,Kaia immediately noticed the change.He seemed lighter, a genuine smile softening his features.

"She's telling the truth," Alec admitted, his tone gentle."Barrie couldn't stop praising you-said you're considerate, remarkable, and well-mannered."

Ever since Kaia's birth, Alec had considered her a lucky us charm. When fortune smiled on the family, he was sure she brought the blessing. That certainty faded over the years, but hearing Barrie's praise brought the old feeling rushing back.

To Alec, Kaia was the best thing that ever happened to them.

Laura squeezed Kaia's hand, still brimming with pride."And that's not all. Barrie even joked that it's a shame his grandson isn't good enough for you, or he'd love for you to marry into their family. That's how highly he thinks of you."

Compliments piling up, Kaia couldn't hide her delight.She smoothed her hair, chin tipping up with newfound confidence. "Honestly, I've never been short on admirers. If all my admirers from school lined up, we'd have a traffic jam on the block. And I'm no less than Slater. To say Slater is not good enough for me isn't exactly wrong."

Her playful confidence seemed to lift everyone's mood,leaving the whole house buzzing with pride.

"That's true," Laura said with a warm smile, reaching up to smooth Kaia's hair. "But keep this in mind-humility and manners go a long way, especially with families like theirs. They notice those things. When Barrie visits,be sure you look your best." Her mother's advice rang true, and Kaia knew exactly what was at stake. The Willis family and the Lyons family lived in different worlds, and she understood how much appearances mattered. "I get it, Mom. You don't have to worry. I'll keep my eyes and ears open,and I won't speak unless I need to."

Alec and Laura exchanged a proud glance, grateful for a daughter who never made life difficult.

Their thoughts drifted-almost involuntarily-to Verena.

Compared to Kaia, their other daughter always seemed determined to go her own way.

A complicated look passed over Alec's face. Only last night, he'd argued with Laura about bringing Verena home no matter the cost. Now, after the call from the Lyons family, he hadn't brought it up once. If Verena wanted to walk out of their lives, maybe it was time to let her.

Laura's happiness was impossible to miss-her smile stretched wide, pride sparkling in her eyes.

Why should she worry about Verena having Isaac? The Lyons family's support meant far more, and now their own future felt secure.

Even if the Bennett family was out of reach, Laura doubted Verena could cause trouble from a distance.

Feeling bold, she grabbed her phone and shot off a quick message to Verena. "You're really underestimating both your father and your sister. Just because you have Isaac doesn't mean we're powerless.Don't count us out so quickly."

With a sigh, Verena gave a quick glance at Laura's message, her lips curling in a smirk.

Yesterday, Laura played the part of the doting,humble mother; today, she strutted around as if she ruled the world.If that wasn't a warning sign, Verena didn't know what was.

No response felt necessary. She locked her phone screen, dropped it onto the coffee table,and decided Laura's theatrics could wait for another day.

Half an hour passed before lsaac showed up at her door.

Jacob arrived just a step behind, setting the medical kit down on the table, eyes darting between his boss and Verena, as if waiting for a signal.

Verena flipped open the case, methodically checking every supply inside. "Jacob, you'll want to wait in the car this time. We might be a while."

Uncertain, Jacob lingered, looking to lsaac for guidance.

A brief silence hung between them before lsaac caught Verena's steady gaze, the intensity in her eyes making him look away

"You can wait outside, Jacob," Isaac said. "I'll call when we're finished here."

As soon as Jacob disappeared down the hall, Verena gently pushed Isaac's wheelchair into the bedroom.

Warm,floral notes filled the air, wrapping them both in a sense of quiet intimacy. Isaac's attention drifted to the neatly made bed, the memory of their night together flashing in his mind.

He could still recall how easily his hand had circled her slender waist-how small and delicate she'd felt,held close beneath the sheets.

Whenever she lay against him, it was as if she weighed nothing at all.

Every detail about her drew him in, except for that wild,unpredictable spirit that kept slipping through his fingers.

"Isaac."

A sudden rush of warmth danced along his ear as Verena's breath tickled his skin, making him go rigid Snapping out of his thoughts, Isaac realized she'd come up behind him, her hands now resting firmly on his shoulders, her upper body pressed close.

He shifted, catching a glimpse of her elegant fingers,splayed over his shirt.

The moment sent a rush of memories through him-too vivid, too intimate. For once, the ever-composed Isaac felt thrown off balance.

"What..." His voice cracked,rough around the edges."Uh...what is it?"

Verena picked up on his nervousness with ease.

"Maybe I should be asking you," she murmured, her tone playful. "I must have said your name three times,and you didn't even blink. What's got you so distracted?"

Isaac fumbled for a reply. "It's nothing, just..."

She cut him off with a sly smnile, leaning in even closer, her words a secret meant only for him."Nothing? I'm guessing you were replaying that night in your head. The way you held my hand-how close we were?"

Her body pressed softly against his back, sending his pulse racing. So near, Verena could see the blush spreading across Isaac's cheeks and all the way to the tips of his ears.

"Relax, I'm just messing with you." Verena straightened, her hands slipping away. "Let's get started with your therapy."

Isaac's shoulders eased as he let out a shaky breath,looking every bit the guilty kid caught in the act.

Even now, her voice close to his ear kept replaying that night in his mind-the teasing, the laughter, and how powerless he'd felt against her charm.

Helping him settle on the bed, Verena carefully rolled up his shirt and reached for his belt buckle.

A look of alarm flashed across Isaac's face as he caught her wrists, voice a little breathless. "Wait-what are you doing?"

Tension rippled across his abdomen, muscles taut with anticipation and nerves.

With a calm glance, Verena answered, "I need to start your treatment."

Realizing he might be overreacting, he averted his gaze, his voice low. "I don't remember ever needing to undress for this before..." Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Things have changed. We used to focus just on your legs, but today's therapy targets a new area."

Color rose in his cheeks, but he still didn't release her hands. "Is that really necessary?"

"It is. I need access to your lower abdomen," Verena replied plainly.

For a moment, Isaac hesitated, clearly torn.

"Are you sure we can't do this another way?" he mumbled,almost hopeful.

She let out a gentle laugh,exasperation mingling with affection. "Isaac, trust me-if you want to get better,you'll have to let me do my job."

His hand still trapped hers, so Verena leaned in,locking eyes with him. "Are you planning to avoid intimacy forever, or are you actually going to let me help you?"

Heat rushed to Isaac's cheeks, and his grip slackened at once.

Taking the opportunity, Verena deftly unfastened his belt.

The faint click echoed between them, prompting lsaac us to snatch her wrists again, flustered. "I can handle this part myself," he muttered.

She let him take over, watching as his black trousers slipped just enough to expose his lower abdomen Quietly, Verena dipped her fingers into a jar of herbal ointment-a formula she'd painstakingly perfected these last few days, meant to target his condition.

His skin was hypersensitive to the touch, and even the cool, light pressure of her fingertips sent a shiver through him.

Verena leaned in close to make sure the ointment stayed put, the ends of her hair brushing his stomach and making him twitch with a mix of embarrassment and anticipation.

After smoothing the ointment, she rolled over a heat lamp,angling it toward him and switching it on.

While the medicine did its work, Verena crossed the room,picked up a small gift box, and carried it back to Isaac. Inside was a dark, elegant necktie.

"This is for you," she said, placing the tie in his hand.

It wasn't new-just something he'd left behind long ago in Clokron, after a night spent at her place when he refused to leave her side.

The night before, Gavin had managed to return the tie, slipping it back into Verena's hands.

Isaac turned the fabric over in his fingers,remembering how,at Fortune Garden Restaurant,he'd watched her tug the tie of the man she was with.

The color, the pattern-everything matched the one he held now.

The thought nagged at lsaac-had she given that tie to the man?

His gaze dropped, a faint frown shadowing his face

Even knowing the truth, he couldn't shake off the sting of jealousy.

Turning the tie over in his hands, he muttered, "You hand these out to everyone, or am I special?"

Verena caught the low rumble of his voice and looked over,brow raised. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He glanced away, voice even softer. "It's nothing.Forget it."

Verena's laughter was light. "You're seriously going to act like that? Why on earth would you think I'm giving ties to half the city?"

For a moment, Isaac stayed quiet, fingers tracing the fabric. Then, almost reluctantly, he spoke up."|saw you at the restaurant. The guy sitting across from you had a tie just like this. Did you give him one too?"

His last words sounded almost wounded-more boyish than he meant to.

Verena's smile widened as she leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Isaac, don't tell me you're actually jealous."