Xavier Fostern said nothing. His Chi Chi was worth all the patience he had—worth waiting for her forgiveness.
"Shine the light here."
He found a suitable tool from the toolbox, turned off the power, and carefully replaced the burnt-out part. His slender fingers worked nimbly and efficiently.
Cecilia Ye gradually found herself lost in thought, unsure how she should treat Xavier Fostern. Her feelings were complicated and strange.
"All done."
A pair of hands covered her eyes. As the power switch clicked back on, the remaining lights in the hall buzzed to life. His hands carried a faint, familiar scent of wood—shielding her from the dazzling glare without ever touching her face.
After a couple of seconds, the hands withdrew. Xavier Fostern gave her a glance. The petite girl blinked up at him, then reached up to rub her own eyes.
The barstool was tall. Even sitting, she only reached Xavier Fostern’s chest. She looked up, gazing at the man before her.
The sudden brightness only deepened Cecilia Ye’s awkwardness. So long since they’d seen each other—last time, in the garden, everything had been a blur of conflict.
There was a scab on Xavier Fostern's face from a wound—he looked a little more ragged than before. Cecilia Ye tugged her clothes tighter, suddenly realizing she was still wearing his shirt.
Sensing her discomfort, Xavier Fostern stepped back, lowered his head, and started tidying up the tools, putting them neatly away before heading over to the tea counter to wash his hands.
Cecilia Ye slid down from the stool, bare feet touching the cold tiles, sending a shiver through her. Her toes, pale as jade, looked even whiter against the floor.
He came back after wiping his hands, his voice gentle: "Let me carry you upstairs."
Before she could answer, he bent down and scooped her up.
"I..."
"I’ll just take you upstairs, then I’ll leave."
He knew she still kept her distance—didn’t want to frighten her again. Still, he wanted to hold her one more time.
Her words of protest died in her throat. Carried in his arms up the stairs, her ear resting near his chest, she was enveloped by the steady thump of his heart, leaving her bewildered.
He laid her gently on the little bed, then went to fetch her slippers from the bathroom.
Watching his back, Cecilia Ye subconsciously pressed her hand to her chest. She had to admit, the sound of his voice still made her heart beat uncontrollably.
Before everything happened, Xavier Fostern had always looked after her—fetching her shoes, drying her hair, holding her in his arms.
But now, too much stood between them—too little trust, too much uncertainty, too many old wounds.
She was exhausted, battered by it all. Even the thought of reaching out again hurt, as if she’d be pricked all over again.
He returned wearing a black shirt, holding a pair of fluffy white slippers in his hands.
"Blow-dry your hair before you sleep."
Passing her the hairdryer, Xavier Fostern kept his tone gentle, making everything sound light and casual.
If he could, he’d have done this for her himself, but he knew she’d refuse. If he wanted any chance to linger in this room at all, he couldn’t risk pushing her farther away—not now, when she’d finally allowed herself a little peace and reliance on him.
Xavier Fostern longed to savor this rare moment, refusing to let it slip away so easily.
Cecilia Ye accepted the hairdryer and sat by the bed, drying her own hair. She no longer dared be lazy—she feared catching a cold and affecting the baby.
That thought made her curl protectively around her belly. It was still barely a bump and invisible beneath her pajamas, but guilt made her anxious that Xavier Fostern might notice.
Her hair was long and took a while to dry. Xavier Fostern simply leaned against the wall, silently watching her.
He’d pictured this scene so many times these past days—Chi Chi, right there before his eyes, somewhere he could see her, safe and close.
Just now, he could almost believe that he’d finally, truly found her again…
"Aren’t you heading back?" Cecilia Ye set down the hairdryer and asked in a low voice.
"Go to sleep. I’ll leave in a moment."
He quietly stepped back toward the door. After a moment’s hesitation, Cecilia Ye climbed into bed.
Neither spoke for a while. She pushed back her mussed hair, lost in a tangle of emotions. After all she’d been through, she was exhausted.
"Thank you—for tonight," she said softly. Honestly, she still felt a lingering fear. If Xavier Fostern left, she doubted she could sleep at all.
Xavier Fostern frowned. She sounded distant, her courtesy striking him like a blade to the heart.
How had things ended up like this between them?
He merely answered, his gaze drifting toward the doorway.
Cecilia Ye breathed out, relieved—at least he wasn’t looking at her now.
She lay down, covering herself and resting her hand over her belly, curling onto her side.
Like it or not, knowing Xavier Fostern was nearby made her feel less afraid.
After crying and being frightened, she quickly drifted off to sleep.
Listening to her steady breathing, Xavier Fostern finally looked back, staring at the side of the bed.
Her sleeping face was so serene, so beautiful, he couldn’t bear to disturb her.
He fought to restrain himself, but in the end gave in. He stepped closer, reached out, and lightly brushed Cecilia Ye’s soft cheek.
Chi Chi… So this is what loving someone feels like.
Thinking back, what he’d said about just wanting her to be happy—it was all nonsense.
If only he’d understood his feelings sooner, if only he hadn’t made her hurt so much…
Regret flooded his chest, aching and sour.
Reluctantly, his fingers left her face. Xavier Fostern drew a deep breath, turned off the main lights, leaving only the little lamp by her bedside.
He closed the door and headed downstairs. The back door's wooden frame was still broken from earlier.
He didn’t plan on leaving. He waited in his car outside all night, never closing his eyes.
As dawn crept across the windshield, at exactly 6 a.m., he called to have someone come fix the door before finally driving away from Qingshui Bay.
Henry Hart had already called him six or seven times. That was rare for Henry Hart, especially at this hour.
"Hello? What is it?"
Xavier Fostern’s voice was rough and weary from the sleepless night, one hand steady on the wheel as he took a corner.
"Boss, GC Group is terminating all of its projects with us."
GC Group was Charles Chase’s company. Xavier Fostern raised an eyebrow and gave a cold laugh.
Charles Chase’s hostility had come out of nowhere—but after the way he’d come at him that day, none of this was really surprising.
"Let him. I never wanted to work with him anyway, huh."
Could it be that Charles Chase had feelings for Chi Chi? The thought made Xavier Fostern all the more cautious.