“Why aren’t you saying anything, Skye?” Natalie asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Skylar smiled faintly, keeping her tone light. “I’m just listening to you. I think it’s a great idea to bring Jeremy food now and then. He might be touched and end up working even harder.”
Though her heart was heavy with suspicion, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. It was better if it truly was just a coincidence. Natalie and Jeremy had always seemed deeply in love—unshakable.
Natalie brightened at her suggestion. “You’re right. I’ll head to our usual restaurant and surprise him with his favorite meal. He’ll be so happy!”
She thought back to the last time she had surprised him with her medical report—how delighted and surprised he had been. It reminded her that love wasn’t supposed to be one-sided. Jeremy worked so hard; she should give back.
He was going on a business trip tomorrow, and she figured a visit to his office tonight could be a little spontaneous adventure. Her cheeks flushed just thinking about it.
She reached toward the bedside table for a condom—then paused. They were trying for a baby now. There was no need for protection anymore.
Jeremy’s office had a private meeting room, one he sometimes used to rest in between international conferences. She had always been curious about it during their dating days but had never followed through.
“Well, I’m off! Bye, Skye!” Natalie chirped cheerfully before ending the call.
Skylar stared at the phone screen for a long moment, her heart unsettled. She kept recalling the voices she had heard in the grove. That man… His voice really had sounded like Jeremy’s. Still, she hoped it was just her imagination playing tricks on her. Maybe she was overthinking it.
Back at the villa, Joe had just finished his video conference. Noticing that Skylar was still out, he checked his phone and saw her message on WhatsApp. He replied:
“The meeting’s over.”
Then he headed upstairs for a shower. He wasn’t worried about Skylar’s safety—this hot spring resort had tight security, especially in the evening, and all guests had to register upon entry.
Skylar received Joe’s message just as she was finishing her walk. She hadn’t wandered far, so she turned back quickly, returning to the villa in just a few minutes.
Not seeing Joe in the living area, she figured he had probably gone to the hot spring first. Grabbing the swimsuit the staff had left for her, she made her way upstairs.
Entering the bathroom, she walked in without much thought. The walk had left her a bit sweaty, and she was eager to freshen up. What she didn’t expect was for Joe to be there—just stepping out of the shower.
Joe was casually drying his hair with a towel, completely bare except for the beads of water glistening on his skin. He hadn’t yet wrapped a towel around his waist.
Skylar froze, and so did he for a split second.
“You…” Joe started, his voice low and slightly amused.
Skylar jerked her head to the side instinctively, cheeks flaring red.
But not before she saw him. His tall frame, his well-defined muscles, the perfect lines of his chest and abdomen—all still slick from the shower. Droplets of water traced a slow path down his skin, only making the view more captivating.
Skylar had known Joe was in shape, but she hadn’t expected him to look this… flawless. She swallowed hard, completely unprepared for the visual impact.
Joe noticed her stunned expression. “Satisfied with what you see?” he asked with a teasing smirk, tossing the towel aside before finally wrapping one around his waist.
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a sultry whisper as he leaned in near her ear. “You won’t lose out by being my wife, Skylar.”
His breath brushed her skin, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
Skylar blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected charm in his words. But she wasn’t one to back down.
Steeling herself, she replied boldly, “And you won’t lose out by being my husband, Joe.”
Visually, it was true—they were a match made in heaven. But beneath that confident reply, she knew something else just as clearly: Joe didn’t love her. Their relationship wasn’t built on affection or emotional closeness. Not yet, anyway.
Skip to content