Chapter 123

Chapter 123
Sheryl's POV

I turned to face him, seeing genuine emotion in his eyes for once.

"Revenge?" My brow furrowed in confusion. "For whom? Your father?"

Kenneth Hayes had died in an accident, with no suspicious circumstances reported.

Suddenly it clicked. No suspicious circumstances in a high-profile death was perhaps the most suspicious circumstance of all.

Rhett could see the realization in my eyes.

He took both my hands in his, sighing softly before meeting my gaze. "Sheryl, everyone says my father's death was an accident, but I don't believe it. I'm going to find the truth, no matter what."

He was operating in the open while his enemies moved in shadows. Every move he made was potentially being watched.

"So, Sheryl," he said with a small smile. "Can you just pretend you don't know anything and stay safely by my side?"

I had to ask, "So the person who tried to kill you today—they're the same ones who killed your father?"

"Yes," he nodded, gently touching my cheek. "He's confessed. I've handed him over to Chief Wellington."

Looking into his eyes, I could see the complexity of emotions he usually kept hidden.

I never imagined Rhett was carrying such a burden.

It explained everything—the revenge mission, the secrets.

I also never suspected Kenneth's accidental death wasn't an accident at all.

I vaguely remembered five years ago, shortly after starting my design program in Paris, receiving an unexpected call from Kenneth Hayes. He was in the hospital after the 'accident,' calling to make his final requests during his last hours.

He asked two things of me: First, to return after graduation and honor our arranged marriage, becoming the Hayes family's daughter-in-law and helping his troubled son manage the business. Second, to give Rhett children soon, creating the complete family he never had growing up.

I'd done reasonably well with the first request. The second one remained unfulfilled.

Seeing the burden he carried alone, I felt a fierce, protective urge. The terror of losing him had clarified what truly mattered. A future. A family. A real one.

"What are you thinking about?" Rhett's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked up at him and smiled. "Let's have a baby, Rhett."

"Are you serious?" His eyebrow arched, amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.

I stepped closer, tilting my head to look up at him. "Since you've accomplished what you set out to do, and we've been married almost three years..."

I bit my lip, smiling. "Why not have a child? It would bring some joy to our lives."

Rhett felt my cool hands and pulled me back inside, closing the balcony door against the night chill.

Leading me to the sofa, he asked with a laugh, "Is this your idea, or are you remembering my father's deathbed wishes?"

Kenneth's dying wish for me to give Rhett children was something I had mentioned often. During our first two years of marriage, whenever we fought, I'd bring it up—making it sound like having children was just a transaction between Kenneth and me, not something I genuinely wanted. It always left Rhett frustrated.

"It's my idea, of course," I said, meeting his amused gaze seriously. "Before, it was because of your father's request, but then you were so adamant about not having children with me, declaring you'd never do it."

Hmph! This was the same man who just hours ago was calling me "baby" and "sweetheart" while I pretended to keep crying. I heard every embarrassingly tender word.

"You never told me you loved me back then either," Rhett said, crouching before me with a smile as he playfully tapped my nose. "I wasn't about to bring a child into the world with a woman who didn't want to be with me."

"And now?" I looped my arms around his neck, tilting my head with a smile. "I'm willing. Do you want to?"

Rhett's heated gaze traveled over my face, lingering on my lips before dropping lower to the hollow of my collarbone.

"Want what?" His voice dropped to that deep, seductive tone that always made my heart race. "Be specific."

His desire was obvious in his eyes. I lifted his chin, meeting that amber gaze. "I meant a baby, Rhett. What were you thinking?"

## Rhett

I laughed and agreed readily. "Sure."

"However," I handed her the white porcelain bowl from the side table, placing it in her palms. "You haven't been resting or eating properly for days. You need to build up your strength first—"

I leaned in close to her ear to finish my thought, my voice dropping to a whisper, "—if you want to handle what it takes to make a baby."

My breath against her ear made her shiver slightly, shoulders hunching. I deliberately let my lips brush her earlobe, enjoying the blush spreading across her cheeks.

Mission accomplished, I pulled back. "We have a deal. No more crying."

She'd lost weight in the past few days. Her already slender waist seemed even smaller, something I'd noticed when I held her on the balcony. While she always pretended to be tough, I couldn't bring myself to be rough with her when she was this fragile.

Sheryl looked down at the bowl of Oatmeal with Maple Syrup. "You made this?"

"Mmhm. Try it," I encouraged, genuinely wanting her approval.

"How did you know how to make this?" she asked, clearly skeptical.

I replied with a smile. "Am I incapable of following a recipe?"

"Just try it," I said, placing a spoon in her hand.

"Well? How is it?" I asked when she remained silent after tasting it. "Not good?"

Sheryl smiled, her eyes brightening. "It's delicious. Sweet, just how I like it."

My expression relaxed as I smiled back. "Then finish every drop."

Knowing she wanted something sweet, I'd added extra sugar. Clearly, I'd guessed her preference correctly.

I watched with satisfaction as each spoonful passed her lips, her color gradually returning, those pale lips becoming pink and full again.

Who would have thought that simply watching her eat could bring me such contentment?