The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 289

“Six-fifteen? That early?” Vivica exclaimed.

“Yeah. It’s an hour’s drive to the station from here. I’d rather be early than risk getting stuck in traffic and missing the train.”

Vivica did the math in her head and sighed. “That’s only four hours of sleep. My dark circles are going to be permanent at this rate.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t mind,” Joseph said, his good mood evident in his comforting smile. “You can sleep on the train. The business class seats are very spacious.”

That was her only option, really. Getting home was the priority. She glanced at him, a note of concern in her voice. “Alright, I’m heading up. You should get back and rest, too. You’ve had a non-stop day.”

Joseph squeezed her hand. “It’s nice that you worry about me.”

She looked away, a shy blush creeping up her cheeks, and opened the door to get out.

Roderic heard the door and turned around immediately, offering Vivica a polite nod and a smile.

Her face was still flushed as she hurried out. “Thank you for everything, Roderic,” she said quickly, then rushed into the hotel.

As she walked past the front desk towards the elevators, Vivica could feel the front desk clerk’s curious gaze on her. He probably thought she was some rich man’s mistress. She lowered her head, quickened her pace, and silently cursed Joseph again.

She opened her hotel room door as quietly as possible, only to find Holly still awake, engrossed in a video game.

“It’s two in the morning! Why are you still up?” Vivica asked, surprised.

Holly yawned, her voice thick with sleep. “I was just about to turn in. I thought maybe you weren’t coming back tonight.”

“Of course I was. I came straight back after dinner.”

“Heh, so I guess you weren’t interested,” Holly teased with a sly grin.

“Right. Get some sleep. I’ll try not to wake you.”

Vivica quickly finished packing. She had already showered before going out, and with only four hours until she had to wake up, another shower seemed pointless. But she still needed to brush her teeth. She tiptoed into the bathroom and closed the door.

As she brushed her teeth, her mind inevitably drifted back to the kiss in the car. Being in a different city, away from all the usual pressures, had certainly made them bolder. Kissing passionately in a car parked right in front of her hotel, with Roderic standing guard outside… Recalling it now in the quiet of the bathroom, she couldn’t believe she’d had the nerve.

In four years of marriage to Fletcher, they’d never had a moment so wild and passionate. And Joseph… had come all this way so late at night, but he hadn't tried to take her back to his room. Was it all just for a meal and a kiss?

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, but the panic and anxiety from before were gone, replaced by an indescribable, fluttering excitement.

It was two-thirty in the morning by the time she finally lay down. She wondered if Joseph had made it back to his hotel yet. There was no message from him on WhatsApp, and she didn't feel right asking.

She was exhausted, her body aching for rest, but her mind was wide awake. Her eyes were closed, but her heart was racing.