Audrey's voice came through the receiver, "Victor, you absolute buffoon!"

Victor chuckled nervously. "I was complimenting your beautiful eyes. They say 'a mother's large eyes bless her children'—just look at Shane, Ethan, and Natalie. They all inherited those luminous eyes from you."

Audrey suppressed a laugh. "Did you need something from my son?"

Victor glanced at Shane. "No reason. I just missed him."

"Don't you dare give him a hard time."

"Wouldn't dream of it. You're all my deities—you're the supreme goddess, and those three are my little saints."

The call ended.

Audrey nearly burst into laughter.

That old man—so insufferable in his youth, yet somehow becoming wittier with age.

She gently pressed her fingertips to the corners of her eyes, careful not to crease her skin.

Victor cleared his throat and pointed to the photos on the table. "It's settled then. We'll arrange the blind date in a few days."

Shane remained impassive. "Not interested."

"This is strategic. We need to put Vincent in his place."

Shane lowered his gaze. "Luna would be hurt."

"Still thinking about her?"

Shane turned away, unwilling to elaborate.

Victor scanned the room, his breath catching at the sight of liquor bottles. "Should I stay with you tonight?"

"I sleepwalk with knives," Shane warned.

Victor instinctively touched his ear. "But your mother and siblings insisted I keep you company."

"Go be with Mom instead."

Victor's eyes grew warm.

This son of his—all tough exterior, soft core.

Suddenly, he spread his arms and pulled Shane into an embrace. "Thank you, son!"

Shane's fingers had already found the throwing knife.

The blade glinted coldly.

Victor immediately released him, a chill running down his spine.

Being a father shouldn't require risking one's life for a hug.

Leaving Moon Bay, Victor instructed his driver from the car: "Take me to Audrey's place."

"Will Madam actually see you?"

"Burning my bridges," Victor declared confidently. "Without a car, she can't kick me out."

The driver hesitated. "She could call you a cab."

"She wouldn't make me take a taxi," Victor said smugly. "I've never set foot in one my entire life."

The driver suppressed a shudder.

Victor pulled out a thick stack of bills. "Buy your kid some supplements. He's taking college entrance exams next year."

The driver blinked back tears.

The CEO remembered such trivial details?

At Audrey's apartment, she didn't look up from her documents.

That furtive footfall could only belong to one person.

Victor sidled up to her. "Our son sent me to keep you company."

"Which son?"

"Shane. Though Ethan and Natalie would agree."

Audrey ignored him, continuing to review her files.

Victor rubbed his knees. "At our age, shouldn't we reconcile?"

Audrey shot him a glare.

Seizing the opportunity, he inched closer—then suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist.

His heart hammered against his ribs.

Audrey stiffened.

"I just hugged Shane," Victor rushed to explain. "Consider this you hugging him by proxy."

She stopped resisting.

Emboldened, Victor tightened his embrace.

Her familiar fragrance enveloped him.

He closed his eyes, intoxicated.

Her waist wasn't as supple as in their youth, yet it still set his pulse racing.

That online saying—"loving someone makes you want to die upon them"—he finally understood it.

"Still revolting," Audrey said abruptly.

Victor's blood turned to ice.

"I'm hygienic," he protested. "I shower daily, work out—my doctor says I have the body of a forty-year-old—"

"It's psychological," Audrey cut in. "I have emotional OCD."

Victor froze.

"That incident with Willow—I was drunk," he croaked.

Audrey's gaze turned hollow. "The physical repulsion is gone, but mentally... I can't move past it. Leave."

Victor released her, defeated.

He'd arrived like a conquering hero, only to slink away like a rooster after a losing fight.

He lingered in the shadows outside for a long time.

"Pick me up," he told his driver.

"Already waiting at the entrance," came the reply.

Victor smiled bitterly.

Outsiders really did see things clearly.

In the car, he muttered, "Take me for a drink."

"Alcohol damages health and clouds judgment," the driver hinted.

Victor waved a hand. "Just take me home."

The mansion stood empty.

After showering, he applied one of Natalie's facial masks.

From beneath the covers, he retrieved a yellowed wedding photo.

His fingers traced Audrey's youthful face.

Being lovesick was agony.

Yet he couldn't help himself.

He pressed his lips to her image.

Missing her.

Missing her already.

Missing her until his chest ached.