Chapter 59 In the Hot Spring
Daisy clutched the note, her fingers tightening.
Vincent glanced at it and cleared his throat awkwardly. "That... Nessa was just joking. She rides in my car sometimes and likes to stick random things everywhere."
Daisy couldn't help but say, "But you never let me do that, yet you indulge her again and again."
Vincent had no response. Actually, he could have said: Because Nessa has always been like this. I like her, so I indulge her. But I don't like you. You forced yourself into my life.
Two years ago, he would have said it without hesitation. Earlier still, he wouldn't have bothered answering such a question at all.
But now, something had changed. The words were simple, yet he could not bring himself to say them.
It seemed that over the past two years, things he once considered unimportant had quietly slipped away, only to become important.
Daisy placed the note back on the sun visor, checked her reflection in the mirror again, then closed it.
"It's fine," she said calmly, as if nothing had happened. "I won’t be riding in this car anymore anyway."
Vincent's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his lips pressed into a thin line.
That note, the small trinkets scattered around, the soft voice on the phone, all told Daisy one thing:
That woman knew this car better than she did, and knew his life better than she ever had.
She was the true center of his world, while Daisy had always been nothing more than a passenger who forced her way in.
Daisy leaned back in her seat, watching the scenery blur past outside the window. A bitter feeling rose in her chest.
It didn't ache, but it weighed heavily, as if a stone pressed against her heart.
In a daze, she recalled six years ago, when they had first married. The first time she sat in his car, full of hope, she had placed a sticky note on the visor that read: "Vince, drive safely."
The next day, it was gone. At the time, she naively thought it had fallen somewhere, only to hear his cold reply: "Don't put this garbage in my car again."
Of course it was garbage. After all, this was “Nessa’s place.”
Daisy shook her head, a faint, relieved smile forming on her lips.
--
The hot spring resort was located in the mountains outside the city, nearly a four-hour drive away.
It covered a vast area, built along the mountainside, combining Japanese and Italian architectural styles. It was an ideal place to relax.
Vincent parked the car and took Daisy to the front desk to check in.
"Mr. Black, your VIP private hot spring house is this way. Please follow me,” the attendant said.
They passed several buildings and outdoor pools before arriving at a secluded Japanese-style cottage.
Steam rose from the pebble-covered ground surrounding it. It was said that walking barefoot on the stones was beneficial, though Daisy suspected it was more for preventing slips, especially since a large natural pool lay ahead, bubbling gently and releasing a faint sulfur scent.
The attendant left his contact number. "If you need anything, please call. I will assist you."
Vincent looked around, then turned to Daisy. "Do you want to change first?"
Daisy nodded and entered the changing room. She paused, surprised by the row of swimsuits and robes neatly arranged inside. She chose a modest style. The fabric felt soft and comfortable.
When she stepped out, Vincent was already soaking in the pool.
Daisy rarely saw him like this. His hair was damp, falling loosely and softening his facial features.
He leaned against the edge of the pool, eyes closed. Floating nearby was a small wooden tray holding red wine, sushi, and sliced fruit.
Sunlight shimmered across the water’s surface.
Daisy hesitated at the edge, testing the temperature before slowly stepping in.
The heat enveloped her instantly. Warmth rose from the soles of her feet, traveling up her calves, past her knees, through her waist and chest.
Her cold hands and feet quickly warmed, and the tension in her body gradually eased.
She leaned against the edge, keeping a noticeable distance from Vincent.
Steam drifted across the water.
After a while, Vincent opened his eyes and looked at her. "What have you been working on lately?"
Daisy was caught off guard. "I… I’ve been applying for a new project. It just got approved."
"The last patent is gone, so I need to start something new."
Vincent fell silent for a moment before saying, "About that patent... I'm sorry."
Daisy glanced at him.
He did not meet her gaze. Instead, he picked up glass and took a sip. "I know it was your work. Although I don't know exactly what happened, but it wasn't Nessa. She wouldn’t have had that kind of access."
"So..."
Daisy remained silent, but a trace of mockery flickered in her eyes.
Vincent continued, "I’ve already asked the company to investigate. If we find out who did it, I won't let it go."
"No need."
What difference would it make? The patent was already gone. Her work already belonged to someone else. “It’s in the past,” she said with a faint smile.
Only then did Vincent look at her. Daisy leaned against the pool's edge, her head slightly lowered, lost in thought.
Through the drifting steam, her features appeared quiet and distant, like a delicate painting.
A sudden curiosity stirred in him. "What do you usually like to do?"
"Huh?" Daisy blinked, unsure if she had heard correctly.
Was Vincent… trying to make conversation?
She wasn't quite sure. "What do you mean?"
"Besides work, besides taking care of Luna. What do you enjoy?"
So he really was making small talk.
What did she like to do?
Daisy thought for a moment. "I like a lot of things. Music, for one. I taught myself piano and guitar, and I know some violin. I wanted to learn wind instruments too, but I never had the time."
"Besides that, I like skiing, swimming, diving, even racing..."
She listed them one by one, and Vincent found himself watching her more intently.
"I never knew you could do so much," he said. "Why have I never seen you do any of these?"
Daisy laughed softly. "You mean after we got married? Sometimes I wouldn’t see you for ten days at a time. Taking care of Luna alone took all my energy. I was lucky to get a full night's sleep. Where would I find time for anything else?"
The faint smile on Vincent's face stiffened. Daisy didn't notice at all. She continued lightly, "Oh right, I've said so much, but you haven't said anything yet."
She looked at him.
“What do you like to do?"