Chapter 18

The sizzle of grilling drifted from the kitchen, and Kelly couldn't resist standing in the doorway to watch. Lenn, wearing an apron, looked calm and composed in profile. His expression was refined and distant as his lips pressed into a straight line. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his alluring wrists. With a steady head and solid shoulders, he moved with smooth, practiced skill. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of delicious food. He was the picture of a perfect husband.

Kelly was utterly entranced. From the beginning, Leon had been almost impossibly perfect. She believed that perfection might exist somewhere in the world, but she never thought she'd be the one to experience it. Since she'd be moving in, Leon had been ready to tidy up the place. He had stocked up on daily essentials, changed the bed linens, and added fresh flowers. He had even wrapped the sharp edges of the furniture for safety.

He hadn't said anything about it, but as soon as she stepped through the door, she could feel the thought and care he had put into everything. He'd filled a vase with flowers. She had never been treated with such genuine attentiveness before. She knew some of this was probably for the baby's sake, but she was still the one being showered with attention.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Leon’s voice broke through her thoughts. He walked out carrying a dish.

“I’ll take it,” Kelly reached out to help.

“There’s no need for that,” he said, dodging gently. “It’s still hot.”

Realizing that Kelly might feel awkward for not helping, he asked, “Can you get the plates and cutlery?”

“Okay,” she quickly responded before going into the kitchen.

Soon, dinner was set on the table, featuring grilled pork ribs, creamy mushroom soup, and a green salad.

“I’m not sure if this suits your taste,” Leon said, handing her a bowl of mushroom soup. “Give it a try. If it’s too salty or too bland, just let me know. I’ll adjust it next time.”

“Thank you,” Kelly said, accepting the bowl with both hands, but she didn’t start eating right away.

Seeing her pause, Leon said, “Go ahead and eat.”

Kelly said softly, “In my family, the elders always eat first.”

Except for Jackson—the family rules were an exception for him.

Leon looked genuinely confused. “Elder?”

When was his status promoted?

Kelly flushed. “That’s not what I meant. I just meant that since you’re older than me, you should take the first bite.”

That did not help.

Still, he picked up his cutlery, then reached for a rib and placed it on her plate instead.

Kelly blinked in surprise.

“In my family,” Leon said, “the younger ones eat first.” By “family,” he meant the two of them.

Kelly’s eyes widened with sudden emotion. Afraid he’d notice, she quickly picked up the rib and took a bite to hide her feelings. She hadn’t had much appetite for greasy food lately, but to her surprise, it was delicious. The ribs were tender and full of flavor, yet not at all heavy—grilled to perfection. Her inner foodie was instantly awakened. She ate several more ribs, pairing them with the creamy mushroom soup, and couldn’t stop herself.

“It’s really good,” she said sincerely.

Under the warm glow of the lights, Leon’s expression softened. Seeing her eat so happily gave him a sense of satisfaction.

“Have more if you like it,” he said, sounding like a doting parent.

Kelly paused, looking at him intently.

“What is it?” Leon asked, noticing her gaze.

“Professor Butler,” she murmured. “Am I being scammed in some kind of romance scheme?”

Leon was stunned, then broke into silent laughter.

“Yeah, Dore, the little piglet is bought, we’ll butcher it together,” he said.

What the heck? When did Leon start telling cheesy jokes? What happened to his serious, no-nonsense persona?

That night, Kelly snuggled under the clean, fragrant blankets. After she was starting to relax, there was a knock at the door. She jumped up, startled. “W-What is it?”

Was Leon having second thoughts and planning to share a room with her?

“Open the door,” his voice came from outside.

She scrambled out of bed, then realized she wasn’t wearing a bra. In a panic, she grabbed a jacket from the closet, threw it on, and quickly smoothed her hair. Then, she cautiously cracked the door open just enough to peek out. “P-Professor Butler?”

Leon stood outside in casual loungewear, looking effortlessly clean and refreshingly handsome.