The night grew later.
A cold breeze drifted softly through the yard as Darren closed the front door after Elisabeth stepped inside.
"Mrs. Lina, please prepare the guest room upstairs," Darren said.
"It's already prepared, Mr. Darren," Mrs. Lina replied warmly.
Elisabeth was still holding Aurora awkwardly. The little baby had started fussing again, letting out soft whimpers.
"Huek… huek…"
Mrs. Lina smiled gently. "It seems Aurora is really hungry."
Elisabeth immediately looked nervous. "W-what should I do?"
Darren stepped a little closer. "You can go to the bedroom first so you'll feel more comfortable breastfeeding her," he said calmly.
Elisabeth bit her lower lip softly before nodding.
Mrs. Lina quickly carried the suitcase upstairs. "Let me show you to your room, Ma'am."
Elisabeth paused briefly when she heard that word.
Ma'am...
For some reason, it felt unfamiliar… yet strangely painful to hear.
She then followed Mrs. Lina upstairs while still carrying Aurora.
Darren remained downstairs, watching the woman disappear onto the second floor.
His chest tightened with emotions he could barely understand.
The woman he had once loved so deeply… was now truly living under the same roof as him.
Inside the bedroom, the atmosphere felt warm and comfortable.
A golden bedside lamp filled the room with a soft glow. In the corner stood a small baby crib complete with blankets and baby supplies.
Aurora whimpered again.
"Huek… aaah…"
Mrs. Lina smiled knowingly. "You can sit down first, Ma'am. The baby probably wants to feed."
Elisabeth nodded slowly. "Alright… you can leave us for a moment, Mrs. Lina."
"Of course, Ma'am. Just call me if you need anything."
After Mrs. Lina left and the bedroom door closed softly behind her, silence filled the room.
Elisabeth sat on the edge of the bed while looking down at Aurora, who was still restless in her arms.
The tiny baby kept moving gently as if searching for something.
Elisabeth swallowed nervously.
With slightly trembling hands, she adjusted her clothes.
A few moments later, Aurora immediately began nursing peacefully.
Elisabeth closed her eyes for a second as the painful pressure in her chest slowly eased.
"Ngh…"
She lowered her gaze to the tiny baby in her arms.
Aurora looked so comfortable… so peaceful.
Without realizing it, Elisabeth's eyes began to fill with tears.
"Why does it feel like…" she whispered softly.
"…the longing for my baby who passed away is slowly healing while I'm feeding Aurora?"
Warm tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Even though she's my ex-lover's child…"
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
"I should hate her…"
But when Aurora wrapped her tiny fingers around Elisabeth's hand while continuing to nurse calmly, Elisabeth's heart weakened even more.
Her chest felt warm.
Not because of the milk still flowing… but because the feeling of motherhood was slowly coming back to life inside her.
Elisabeth gently stroked Aurora's tiny head.
"You did nothing wrong, hm?" she whispered softly.
"You're just a little baby who needs love…"
Aurora let out a faint little sound while remaining peacefully in her arms.
And for the first time since losing her own baby… Elisabeth felt that a small empty part of her heart was finally beginning to heal.
After Aurora finally fell asleep, Elisabeth carefully placed her into the baby crib beside the bed.
She tucked the blanket around the little baby gently before staring at Aurora's peaceful face for a few seconds.
A soft smile appeared on her lips without realizing it.
Then suddenly, her stomach growled quietly.
Elisabeth blinked. "Why do I feel so hungry?" she murmured softly.
"Is it because I'm breastfeeding?"
She pressed her hand lightly against her stomach before quietly leaving the room, trying not to wake Aurora.
The house was already silent and dimly lit when she walked downstairs toward the kitchen.
But the moment she stepped inside, a voice suddenly startled her.
"You're hungry?"
Elisabeth jumped slightly and turned around.
Darren was leaning against the kitchen counter while looking at her calmly.
"I-I'm sorry," Elisabeth said awkwardly.
"I haven't eaten since this morning."
Darren frowned immediately. "You haven't eaten all day?"
Elisabeth lowered her gaze. "There was too much happening…"
Darren let out a quiet sigh before walking toward the refrigerator.
"Come here," he said.
"I'll make you something to eat."
Elisabeth looked surprised. "You can cook?"
Darren chuckled softly. "Is it really that surprising?"
Then he looked back at her. "Besides, I haven't eaten either."
He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt casually. "So we can cook together."
Elisabeth stood there for a moment before slowly walking closer.
The kitchen soon filled with a strangely warm atmosphere.
Darren cooked rice and fried eggs while Elisabeth prepared vegetables and soup beside him.
At times, their hands accidentally brushed against each other while reaching for the same utensil.
Each small touch made Elisabeth's heartbeat grow faster.
Don't be like this, Elisabeth… she scolded herself inwardly.
This marriage is only a contract.
But no matter how much she tried to remind herself, her heart still reacted whenever Darren stood close to her.
Especially when his familiar scent drifted toward her again.
After everything was finished, they sat together at the dining table.
For the first few minutes, only the sound of spoons and plates filled the silence.
Elisabeth was genuinely hungry, so she ate quietly without paying much attention.
Then suddenly, Darren leaned closer toward her.
Elisabeth froze instantly.
W-what is he doing? she thought nervously.
Darren lifted his hand and lightly touched the corner of her lips with his thumb.
"There's rice on your lips," he said casually.
Before Elisabeth could react, Darren brought his thumb to his own mouth and ate the grain of rice.
Elisabeth's eyes widened immediately.
"Darren!"
He looked at her calmly. "What?"
"Why would you do that?" she asked, her face turning red.
Darren leaned back against his chair with a faint smile.
"Why not?"
His gaze softened mischievously.
"I've kissed those lips before."
He paused deliberately.
"So why wouldn't I eat the rice stuck on them?"
Elisabeth's face instantly burned with embarrassment.
"Y-you…"
She quickly looked away and gripped her spoon tighter.
Darren chuckled quietly while watching her reaction.
Meanwhile, Elisabeth's heart was beating so hard she was afraid he might actually hear it.
And the worst part was…
A small part of her still remembered exactly how it once felt to be kissed by him.