Elizabeth stared at Nathan's flushed cheeks and furrowed brow. Her mind drifted to Andrew's dog—the very reason Nathan had drowned himself in alcohol tonight. A wave of irritation washed over her.

If Andrew knew what was good for him, he'd better steer clear of her path next time.

Otherwise, she wouldn't think twice about forcing every last drop of liquor down his throat!

"Drink..." Nathan mumbled, shifting uncomfortably on the bed.

"Water? Do you need water?" Elizabeth leaned closer, her voice softening.

"Drink... water..." he repeated, his words slurred.

"Hold on," she said, surprised he was still thirsty. She hadn't prepared more tea.

She hurried out of the bedroom.

The living room was empty. Ethan was nowhere to be seen.

Had he left already?

Elizabeth glanced around briefly, but Nathan's need for water pulled her focus away.

She quickly prepared another cup of soothing tea and returned to the bedroom. Gently, she helped prop Nathan up as he took small, careful sips.

Nathan's bleary eyes slowly focused on her. After a long moment, recognition dawned. "Elizabeth... I'm sorry..."

He knew he'd gone overboard with the drinking tonight.

He had wanted their birthday celebration to be perfect.

"You and I will settle this after you've sobered up!" Elizabeth threatened, though her tone held no real malice.

"I'll... I'll make it up to you..." Nathan's voice was thick with guilt.

"You'd better. Now, rest. And drink this soup."

"I'm not... hungry..."

"Will you drink it or not?"

"I will," Nathan conceded, obediently.

A small smile touched Elizabeth's lips.

He looked so boyish like this, so compliant. That slightly indignant expression only made her want to tease him more.

She reached out and pinched his slightly chubby cheeks.

Nathan had wonderful skin. No matter how much weight he lost, he never seemed to lose the soft, youthful roundness of his face.

"Ouch," he complained, sounding utterly miserable.

"If you know it hurts, then don't drink so much next time," she chided, finally releasing his cheeks. She lifted the bowl of soup, preparing to feed him. "It's all Andrew's dog's fault..."

"Enough about the dog. Here, have some soup."

"Okay."

Nathan opened his mouth obediently.

Elizabeth carefully fed him spoonful by spoonful.

Slowly and patiently, she helped him finish the entire bowl before finally allowing him to lie back down.

Once Nathan was settled, Elizabeth left to wash the empty bowl.

She still saw no sign of Ethan.

Had he really left so soon?

The clothes shouldn't be dry yet.

Curious, she walked toward the laundry room. There, she found Ethan leaning against the counter, his gaze fixed intently on the clothes tumbling inside the dryer.

He must be desperate to leave. His intense focus on the machine seemed willing the clothes to dry faster.

Just as Elizabeth was about to turn away, Ethan spun around and their eyes met.

The air between them grew still.

In truth, Ethan had witnessed the entire scene between Elizabeth and Nathan earlier.

Growing weary of waiting alone in the laundry room, he had stepped out upon hearing movement. That's when he saw it—the tender, intimate moment of Elizabeth patiently feeding Nathan soup.

He had immediately decided the solitude of the laundry room was the better option.

"I just came to check if you'd left. It should be done soon. You'll have to keep waiting," Elizabeth explained, her voice neutral.

With that, she turned to leave without another word.

"Elizabeth..." Ethan's voice stopped her.

It was low.

Very, very low...