Chapter 228

Annie's POV

I was curled up in the corner of the sofa, traces of colored pencil still lingering on my fingertips. The draft of a children's book I'd just completed lay spread out on the coffee table-a little rabbit making a wish to the moon. I stared at the drawing for a moment, silently wondering what the rabbit might be wishing for. Lucy would probably ponder this too.

A familiar scent of men's cologne drifted toward me as Howard's palm gently rested on my shoulder. My body involuntarily trembled slightly,my mind flashing back to those passionate moments in the bedroom that afternoon. The way he had shed his perfectly composed executive mask.his eyes unfocused. beads of sweat forming on his forehead, completely losing control with me. I'd never imagined that Howard Thompson,always so calm and collected, could have such a side to him-a side he revealed only to me.

Thinking about his fínal growl, I couldn't help but press my thighs together.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice carrying that magnetic quality I'd grown to love.

"Nothing," I smiled and shook my head, reaching for my phone to divert my somewhat dangerous train of thought.

I opened our group chat where Edward and Eleanor had shared many photos of Lucy playing with Penny. I slowly scrolled through the screen,

seeing Lucy's smile shine like sunlight in every picture.

This little gir. once trapped in a swamp of sadness, now displayed such a lively side-like a flower blooming after the rain.

Lucy's transformation reminded me of myself. 1.too,had once been that silent shadow, living under the expectations of Philip and his mother,carefully watching every step I took, terrified that one misstep would send me plummeting into an abyss. Now I laugh, I get angry, I express my desires passionately in bed, and I fight for my rights.

This contrast suddenly sparked inspiration. Perhaps my next children's book could tell a story about transformation-a little bird that never dared to spread its wings learning how to fly.

"How long have Lucy and the Parkers been gone?" I turned to ask Howard.

Howard glanced up at the ceiling, calculating. "They left yesterday morning.I believe."

"Yesterday?" I repeated with surprise. "It feels like it's been a century."The house seemed especially quiet without Lucy's laughter and footsteps.

My finger hovered over the screen, about to ask when they would return,but I quickly deleted the draft. Edward and Eleanor had lost their daughter; for them, every minute spent with Lucy was precious. I shouldn t act like a child unwilling to share a toy.

"Missing our little princess?" Howard asked, his gaze tenderly examining me.

"Yes," I admitted. "This house feels like it's missing something without her."

Howard's finger gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "She'll be back tomorrow. Trust me, by then you'll be missing this peace and quiet."

"Why do you say that?" I leaned toward him, feeling the warmth of his chest.

"Because with Lucy here, we can't be as uninhibited as we were last night,"his voice lowered as he whispered in my ear, "I like the way you sound when you let go."

Heat immediately rushed to my cheeks, and I pushed him playfullý. "Why do you keep bringing that uptoday?"

Howard chuckled softly. "Wasn't it you who said this was the best way to start a new life?"

I couldn't help but laugh with him, remembering how nervous and awkward we were our first time, compared to the comfort and synchronicity we shared now. With Howard, I finally understood what making love should be-not an obligation or transaction, but a pleasure and intimacy between two equal partners.

Howard placed a stack of documents on the coffee table and began reading.I curiously glanced over; the dense numbers and terminology looked like hieroglyphics to me.

"Do you always have this much work?" I asked.

"It's not due today," he answered without looking up. "I just wanted to review it in advance."

I studied his focused profile. This man was always thoroughly prepared,always thinking several steps ahead of everyone else.

Shaking off these thoughts, I continued browsing my phone when a news headline suddenly caught my attention: "Wall Street Investment Mogul Philip Baker Confirms Irreversible Vasectomy."

I sat up straight, feeling as if I'd been punched in the chest.

"What's wrong?" Howard immediately noticed my change in demeanor.

Wordlessly, I handed him my phone. He quickly scanned the news, his brow furrowing slightly. "Philip had a vasectomy?"

"Looks that way," I said softly, my chest fillíng with an indescribable emotion. Not hatred. not joy, buit a strange sense of release, as if the final thread connecting me to my past had finally been cut.

"Are you okay?" Howard asked with concern.

"Better than I expected," I admitted honestly. "I just find it ironic. During our marriage, he couldn't even be bothered to use protection, leaving all the responsibility to me. Yet now he's made this permanent decision for another woman."

Howard's hand covered mine. "Sarah's methods are more effective than we imagined."

"He can't have more children now, and his relationship with Brian is practically broken," I said softly, suddenly feeling a wave of pity.′′A1his hopes are pinned on the child in Sarah's womb."

I imagined Philip's life moving forward: how he would become increasingly dependent on this unborn child, placing all his expectations on this infant. But what if he discovered one day that the child wasn't his?Would that always self-assured man break down? Would he regret having the surgery?

A series of scenarios flashed through my mind: Philip's pale face,trembling hands, hollow eyes. I wasn't sure if I should feel happy about this possibility.

"What are you thinking about?" Howard asked softly.

I hesitated for a moment. "I'm wondering what would happen if he discovered the child wasn't his."

Howard's gaze deepened. "People must take responsibility for their choices.

I nodded, remained silent for a moment, then said, "You know, I once thought I would hate him forever. But seeing this news, I actually feel somewhat sorry for him."

"That proves you've truly moved on," Howard's fingers intertwined with mine. "The sign of letting go isn't joy,but peace."

I leaned against Howard's shoulder, closed my eyes, and absorbed his scent and warmth. Our intimate moment from the afternoon resurfaced in my mind: Howard's soft moans, the texture of his muscles, the feel of his skin, and that sensation of being completely accepted and understood.In that moment, past wounds seemed to lose their importance.

"Want to try for round two?" I opened my eyes to meet Howard's somewhat surprised gaze. "While Lucy's still away until tomorrow."

Howard's eyes instantly darkened as he leaned down to whisper in my ear:"You started this,Annie."

I laughed, cradling his face in my hands. "This time, I want to see every expression on your face from beginning to end."

In that moment. Philip. Sarah, and that news article all became irrelevant.We had our own lives to live.our own happiness to pursue. Nothing was more immportant than the warmth and authenticity of this moment.