Nathan said nothing and started toward the stairs.
Wanda grabbed his sleeve again.
“Mr. Lowe, if you don’t want to sleep in the study, you can use the guest bedroom. Which one would you prefer?”
Nathan paused.
Keith wasn’t letting him off the hook, and neither was Wanda.
He pressed his lips together. “I don’t want the study, and I don’t want the guest room. I’m choosing neither.”
Wanda eyed him suspiciously. “Then… Are you planning to sleep at the office?”
Nathan went quiet for a moment, clearly speechless.
“I’m not sleeping in the study, not the guest room, and definitely not at the office. I’m sleeping in my own bedroom.”
Wanda blinked. “You mean with Mrs. Lowe?”
“We’re married,” Nathan replied calmly. “Can’t I sleep with my wife?”
“Well, of course you can,” Wanda said quickly. “But Mrs. Lowe is pregnant. During the first three months, you shouldn’t touch her.”
Nathan exhaled. “I know. Do you think I’m some kind of animal?”
Wanda laughed. “I trust you.”
Nathan finally headed upstairs and entered his room.
A soft amber lamp lit the space. On the large bed, Ivy lay curled beneath the covers, already asleep.
Her face was half buried in the blanket, long lashes resting quietly against her cheeks. She looked peaceful, soft, and unusually defenseless.
She was sleeping deeply.
Nathan loosened his tie, shrugged off his black suit jacket, and walked into the bathroom for a quick shower.
Five minutes later, he stepped back out.
His phone suddenly rang.
The sound made Ivy stir slightly. Her delicate brows knit together as she turned onto her side, but didn’t wake.
Nathan answered immediately.
“Mr. Lowe.” Baxter’s voice came through.
Nathan lowered his voice at once. “Keep it down.”
Baxter paused. “Bad time to talk?”
Nathan glanced at Ivy. She remained asleep.
“What is it?” he asked quietly.
“There’s an urgent document that needs your approval. I’ll send it to your phone.”
“Got it.”
Chapter 1169
+25 Bonus
Nathan hung up and lifted the blanket before sliding into bed.
A notification chimed.
The file arrived.
He reviewed it quickly, sent his response back to Baxter, and added one more message.
[Work ends here tonight. Don’t contact me again unless it’s critical.]
He switched his phone to silent mode and lay back.
Maybe sensing someone beside her, Ivy shifted in her sleep and instinctively rolled toward him, settling into his arms.
Nathan stiffened.
Ever since the argument after learning about the pregnancy, they hadn’t slept together like this.
The sudden closeness caught him off guard.
He looked at her delicate face, then slowly wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.
A moment later, Ivy grew restless. Her breathing turned uneven. She murmured softly, trapped in a dream.
“No… Don’t…”
Nathan leaned closer. “Don’t what?”
“No… Mom, don’t jump… Mom, please don’t leave me…”
Nathan froze.
He didn’t know much about the Quinn family, only fragments. He knew Edric had another family outside the marriage and a hidden daughter.
He tightened his arms around Ivy.
“It’s just a dream,” he whispered. “Your mom isn’t leaving you.”
As if sensing the comfort, Ivy’s tense expression softened.
“Nathan…” she murmured.
She was calling his name.
Nathan’s heart skipped.
She said his name often, but never before in a voice this soft.
P
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
