Chapter 390 The Two in a Cold War

Chapter 390 The Two in a Cold War

The Thomas Villa

The dining room was quiet, filled only with the soft sounds of chewing and the gentle clink of silverware against plates.

Qiana elegantly cut a small piece of perfectly tender steak and placed it in her mouth, chewing slowly. Her eyes—warm yet puzzled—kept drifting back and forth between James and Emily.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but something about the atmosphere between them felt off.

Ever since they'd arrived, there hadn't been a single intimate moment between them. They hadn't even made eye contact.

Emily had spent the entire time playing with the children and chatting with her, while James had been standing in the yard on the phone.

Had they gotten into another fight?

Just then, Faye, who'd been hovering nearby, ladled a bowl of soup and set it in front of Qiana.

Qiana gave Faye a meaningful look.

Catching the signal in Qiana's eyes, Faye nodded knowingly.

Actually, she'd picked up on the strange tension between James and Emily the moment she'd welcomed them through the front gate.

Faye walked into the kitchen and emerged carrying a heavy clay pot.

"It's getting so cold out—perfect weather for hot soup."

As she spoke, she deliberately set the pot down right in front of James, signaling him to serve Qiana.

Briar immediately cheered in excitement.

"Briar, do you really like soup that much?"

Qiana smiled softly at the little girl seated to her left.

"Yes!"

Briar blinked up at Qiana with bright, sparkling eyes. "It's so yummy!"

"Then you should have plenty later."

Qiana gently stroked Briar's head, then turned to Mason on her right. "Mason, you make sure to eat a lot too, okay?"

Mason nodded obediently.

After finishing her gentle conversation with the children, Qiana turned to James. Her voice grew noticeably cooler.

"What are you sitting there for? Serve the children and Emily their soup."

"Got it."

James stood with a resigned sigh, thinking to himself that his status in this household was sinking lower by the day.

He served the two children first, then finally ladled soup for Emily.

When James set the bowl in front of Emily, she glanced at him briefly and murmured, "Thanks."

James's expression stiffened for a moment. Then he returned to his seat and buried himself in his meal.

An awkward, uncomfortable tension hung between them.

Watching this, both Qiana and Faye couldn't help but sigh inwardly, both thinking the same thing.

Had James upset Emily again?

After everyone finished dinner, Qiana immediately pulled Emily into the study for a heart-to-heart. The two children played in the yard, while James sat alone in the living room, staring blankly at a boring TV show.

"Mr. Thomas, did you and Ms. Johnson have a fight?"

Faye walked over from the kitchen with a pot of herbal tea, asking quietly.

"Is it that obvious?"

James shifted uncomfortably. When he'd seen Emily standing with another man, he'd been instantly furious. In the heat of the moment, he'd done exactly what she hated most—disregarding her wishes.

Looking back now, he knew he'd been impulsive. Emily had every right to be angry.

But asking him to apologize for something like that? Absolutely out of the question.

So they'd been stuck in this awkward cold war ever since.

"Not obvious at all. It's just that both you and Ms. Johnson are wearing your feelings all over your faces."

Faye poured James a cup of herbal tea with a chuckle.

Having his thoughts exposed so directly made James feel self-conscious. Trying to cover his embarrassment, he grabbed the tea and took a gulp—only to burn his mouth on the scalding liquid.

"Mr. Thomas!"

Faye jumped in alarm. "Don't move! Let me get the medicine!"

With that, she hurried away.

The commotion in the living room caught the attention of the two women in the study.

The study door opened, and Emily and Qiana emerged together.

When Qiana saw James's peeling, burned lips, she wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"You're a grown man. How do you not know to test the temperature before drinking?"

James awkwardly covered his peeling lips.

Just then, Faye returned with the medical kit.

"Faye, let me handle this."

Seeing the situation, Emily immediately walked toward Faye.

Faye looked at Emily and caught a fleeting flash of concern in her otherwise calm eyes.

With a knowing smile, Faye handed the medical kit to Emily.

Watching from behind, Qiana exchanged a glance with Faye. The two women tactfully retreated, leaving the spacious living room to the couple in the middle of their cold war.

Emily sat down beside James in silence. With gentle movements, she peeled away the damaged skin, then used her fingertip to apply cool ointment to his soft, warm lips.

Hearing him hiss in pain, Emily paused, then muttered under her breath, "Idiot."

"It's only because you—"

"Don't move."

Emily shot James an irritated glare. He immediately shut his mouth, looking at her with wounded eyes.

For some reason, the way James looked right now reminded her of a puppy desperately wagging its tail to win its owner's approval.

"Did you burn anywhere else besides your lips?"

"My tongue."

Emily's eyes snapped up to meet James's—only to realize how close they were now. Close enough to feel each other's heated breath. Close enough to see the tiny pores around each other's lips. Close enough to clearly see her own tiny reflection in those dark eyes...

Then, neither quite sure who moved first, they found themselves locked in an uninhibited kiss.

"I'm back..."

The front door suddenly swung open as Matilda burst in from outside.

The moment Emily heard Matilda's voice, she snapped back to reality. She shoved James away and vigorously wiped her swollen, damp lips with the back of her hand.

James, meanwhile, kept his arm around Emily's waist, glaring at Matilda in the entryway with obvious annoyance at the interruption.

Matilda's eyes widened as she took in the scene in the living room. She looked at them, then back at the door behind her, and mumbled, "Should I... step back out so you two can continue?"

Even more awkward.

Fortunately, Faye emerged from the kitchen at just the right moment to diffuse the tension.

"Ms. Thomas, you're back. Have you eaten yet?"

Faye walked over and took the items from Matilda's hands, asking with concern.

"Not yet. Got anything? Just heat up some leftovers—whatever's fine."

Matilda walked over to the water dispenser somewhat irritably and poured herself a glass.

"The weirdest things have been happening lately. I can't tell if they're unlucky or if I'm the unlucky one."