Chapter 1
The day I took our daughter, Lily, for her check-up, Damon, my husband, who had been away on a business trip for days, drove to pick us up.
The moment he saw us, he pulled both me and Lily into a tight hug.
My nose twitched. A faint, unfamiliar scent hit me.
Lily snuggled into him, giggling. I stood by, smiling, watching them play-fight.
It wasn't until we settled into the car that I noticed another woman in the back seat…
The woman had a small, round face and wore a crisp business suit.
She smiled sweetly. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thorne. I’m Chloe, the new assistant from Damon’s office.”
I glanced at Damon. He said calmly, “She was on my way, so I offered her a ride home.”
But since when did Damon, the CEO of Thorne Enterprises, personally pick up an employee? Especially when he was on his way to get *us*.
Chloe explained earnestly, “Please don’t misunderstand, Mrs. Thorne. I just wanted a chance to apologize to you.”
She handed me a gift bag containing a tube of my favorite hand cream.
“When I was on the business trip with Mr. Thorne, I forgot my hand cream. You happened to have some in the car, and I… accidentally used it all up.”
“This is a new one I bought. I hope you’ll accept it.”
I didn't reach out for it immediately.
A hint of nervousness flickered across her face, and she couldn't help but glance at Damon beside her.
“Take it,” Damon said, his voice soft but firm.
I took the bag and tossed it onto the seat beside me.
Lily, strapped into her car seat, stared curiously at this new lady. Her eyes lit up when she spotted candy in Chloe’s hand.
Just as Chloe prepared to unwrap a piece of candy for Lily, I couldn’t hold back anymore. “She just saw the dentist. No candy.”
“But this is imported! Not just any cheap brand. You can rest assured—”
“So imported candy isn't candy?” Damon, who had been focused on driving, frowned. “Elara, she’s just trying to be nice.”
I fell silent. But Lily, ever the sensible one, nodded. “Lily will listen to Mommy. No candy.”
Chloe had no choice but to withdraw her hand, her expression stiff.
The car soon pulled up smoothly outside an older apartment complex.
She got out, apologizing profusely once more. I just nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
On the way home, Damon's tone softened.
“Don’t be mad at her. She’s a young woman, fresh out of college, too much of a perfectionist. Sometimes when she’s stubborn, even I can’t talk her out of it.”
A faint smile played on his lips. “Quite strong-willed, actually.”
As the car pulled up to our house, he suddenly leaned over and kissed my cheek. I didn’t pull away.
From the back seat, Lily suddenly piped up, “Mommy, the lady’s scent smells like Daddy’s.”
Damon’s smile froze for a moment.
I pretended not to notice, laughing lightly.
“That’s because Daddy’s car should naturally smell like Daddy. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”
“Oh,” Lily said, sounding half-convinced, half-confused.
I got out and lifted her from the car. Looking up at Damon beside me, he spoke calmly.
“If taking care of Lily makes you feel tired, I can hire a professional.”
His voice was even. “She’s a Thorne, our little princess. She shouldn't be neglected or anything less than perfectly cared for because *you’re* tired.”