Chapter 249: Sleeping in Each Other's Arms
**【Luna's Perspective】**
I watched with mild amusement as Kevin arrived at my Staff Apartment door for the fifth time that day. His arms were laden with books rather than the organic fruit baskets and imported pastries from his previous visits.
"Mrs. Morrison," he greeted formally, offering the stack of books. "Mr. Morrison thought you might enjoy these while resting."
I accepted the books with a smile. "Thank you, Kevin. You've been exceptionally attentive today."
Kevin shifted his weight nervously, glancing past me into the apartment. "Is... is Violet around?"
"She's in the adjacent room," I replied, studying his troubled expression. "Would you like to come in and wait for her?"
He hesitated, then shook his head. "No need. Could you please ask her to remove me from her phone's blacklist? I have something important to discuss with her."
"What did you do to upset her?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Kevin's face fell. "It was probably the incident in the office hallway this morning."
"Don't worry too much," I assured him. "Violet's anger rarely lasts beyond 24 hours. She'll unblock you tomorrow naturally."
"Thank you, Mrs. Morrison," he replied, relief washing over his features before he departed.
Curious about this development, I found Violet in the security monitoring room, her expression stoic as she reviewed surveillance footage.
"You and Kevin," I began casually, settling into a chair beside her. "Are you dating?"
A hint of color touched Violet's cheeks. "Impossible, Luna. Our relationship is strictly professional."
"So you don't like him?" I pressed, observing her carefully.
"I didn't say that," she responded quickly, then composed herself. "It doesn't matter."
"Kevin clearly likes you," I pointed out. "He's been quite obvious about it."
Violet's expression hardened. "His personal preferences are none of my concern. I won't involve myself with someone who lacks professional boundaries."
"What happened?" I asked gently.
"This morning, he and Lily were in the hallway, arms around each other, acting inappropriately close," Violet explained, frustration evident in her voice. "Lily already has intentions toward Max, yet she deliberately pursues Kevin as well. It's infuriating."
I considered her words thoughtfully. Women like Lily were particularly troublesome. If I openly expressed jealousy, Max would think I was overreacting; if I ignored her, she would continue to infiltrate our marriage under the guise of professional assistance, offering excessive care and inevitably interfering.
"I've decided to move into Max's private apartment," I announced suddenly.
Violet looked up in surprise. "You've reconciled?"
"Violet, please help me pack the essentials," I instructed, my decision firm.
"Luna, why this sudden change?" Violet asked, clearly puzzled.
"If I continue keeping Max at a distance, isn't that exactly what Lily wants?" I reasoned. "And don't let her provocations ruin your relationship with Kevin. He'll be hurt, and the only person who benefits is Lily."
Understanding dawned in Violet's eyes. "You're right."
"Lily treats Max's personal space as her territory, entering his home, office, and apartment without knocking," I continued. "She's not just involved in his work but inserting herself into his private life. This gradual infiltration will eventually cause problems, and I need to take action."
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By noon, I had settled into Max's apartment, unpacking my belongings and setting up my research materials on the dining table.
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**【Max's Perspective】**
I checked my phone for the third time as the elevator ascended to my floor. Still no response from Luna to my messages:
*"I want to see you. Can you come to the apartment tonight?"*
*"Or should I come to the Staff Apartments?"*
"Another argument?" Lily asked, following closely behind me.
I suppressed my irritation at her presence. "You should head home, Lily. It's been a long day."
"We have the Pentagon briefing on the Azure Project tomorrow," she reminded me. "You should rest early instead of worrying about marital trivialities."
"You can go rest," I replied firmly, hoping she would take the hint.
"It's only eight o'clock," she persisted. "Why don't I help tidy your apartment? You're too busy to maintain it properly. I'm not like your wife, who acts like a princess needing constant attention and can't even handle basic housekeeping."
I stopped abruptly, my patience wearing thin. "My wife may not excel at housework, but she's unparalleled in her professional field. What she can do, others cannot; what she struggles with, I'm happy to compensate for."
"Max, you need to stop viewing her through rose-colored glasses," Lily sighed.
As we approached my apartment, I noticed the lights were on. My heart quickened—Luna must be waiting.
"Why are the lights on in your apartment?" Lily asked, still trailing behind me.
"Why are you still following me?" I countered bluntly.
"I told you—I want to help organize your place."
I turned to face her directly. "Lily, focus on your professional responsibilities and stay out of my personal life, or I'll be forced to reassign you from your current position."
Her expression shifted to one of hurt. "Max, I'm only looking out for you, and you're threatening to transfer me?"
"If your presence threatens my hard-won marriage, I won't hesitate to sever ties with you," I stated unequivocally.
"Our decade-long professional friendship means nothing to you?" she challenged.
"I've loved Luna for many years, enduring countless hardships to find her and marry her," I explained, my voice firm. "I would sacrifice not just our friendship, but my position at Morrison Group—everything—if necessary. So please, abandon any inappropriate expectations."
Lily's composure cracked. "I'm not trying to ruin your marriage. I don't even care if you love me or not—I just want to remain by your side professionally, supporting you without asking for anything in return."
Before I could respond, my apartment door opened. Luna stood in the doorway, her expression unreadable as she looked between us.
Without hesitation, I lifted her into my arms and carried her inside, kicking the door closed behind us.
"I heard Lily confessing to you," Luna said quietly as I set her down.
"I rejected her," I assured her. "Don't dwell on it."
"How can I ignore another woman fixating on my husband?" she countered.
"When did you arrive?" I asked, eager to change the subject.
"After lunch. I've been reviewing some data."
"What data?"
"The latest information on the Light Matter project," she replied.
I leaned down to kiss her, but she tilted her head away. "Must you get physical immediately?"
"It's so difficult to see you these days," I complained. "If I can't do anything else, at least let me kiss you."
She relented, allowing me a brief kiss before gently pushing me away. "Go shower. I'll rest for a bit."
"Max," she called as I headed toward the bathroom. "If Light Matter technology achieves military application, how much defense spending could be saved?"
"Billions of dollars," I replied, turning back to her. "Plus independence from imported technology. We're planning to establish a dedicated research team."
"Do you have a suitable chief scientist candidate?" she inquired.
"Yes," I smiled. "But she's pregnant now, so the project will have to wait until after she gives birth."
Luna's expression softened as she placed a hand on her rounded abdomen. Her phone began to ring, and I recognized Zoe's name on the display.
"It's Zoe," Luna said, reaching for the phone.