[14]

“Damn, your sibling is really ruining my mood,” Grace complained irritably. She looked at Victoria who was standing awkwardly nearby, among the boutique's racks full of fancy clothes. “I got a migraine from that conversation.”

“I'm sorry,” Victoria said with a bow. She also didn't expect to meet Lucy and have her sister say some offensive things. After Lucy's leaving, it was quiet in the boutique again. Victoria remained there, even though her heart wanted to leave immediately. There was no way she was leaving Grace behind, especially after everything she had done today.

“Is there anything else you want?” asked Grace, giving Victoria a quick glance.

Victoria shook her head quickly. “What you've chosen is too much, Aunt Grace. In fact, I don't think I deserve any of this.”

Grace looked at Victoria with a look that was difficult to translate. There was a mixture of sincerity and something else-something that made Victoria uncomfortable. “It's not worth what you've done, Victoria,” Grace said softly, rubbing her shoulder. “I expected so much from you.”

Victoria swallowed, unsure of what to say in response. She simply nodded slowly, letting Grace continue her shopping with vigor.

“Victoria,” Grace opened the conversation, this time her tone sounding more relaxed, ”are you sure the hospital where Abigail is being treated is the best?”

The question made Victoria stiffen slightly. She knew that kind of tone. It looked like concern, but there was a hidden intent behind it.

“I think Abby is getting very good care there so far,” Victoria replied carefully. “Doctor Chris also always makes sure every procedure is done properly.”

Grace paused for a moment, looking at a dress in her hand before looking back at Victoria. “But there are hospitals with much better facilities. I can arrange everything for you, including the cost. You don't have to worry about that.”

Victoria let out a long breath, trying to formulate words. “Thank you, Aunt Grace. But I think for now, Abby is quite comfortable there.”

Grace smiled a little, but her eyes remained sharp. “Sometimes, as a mother, you have to make the best decisions. Even if it means moving her to a better place. I just want to make sure she gets the best, Victoria. You understand, don't you?”

Victoria looked down, suppressing the anxiety that crept into her chest. “I will consider it, Aunt Grace. But this decision must also be discussed with Chris's doctor, who is treating Abby.”

Grace seemed satisfied with that answer. She continued her shopping with more enthusiasm, while Victoria just stood still, trying to calm her troubled mind.

It wasn't long before the transaction was complete, and the items Grace had chosen - some for herself, some for Victoria - were neatly wrapped.

“You don't mind if these are sent directly to your home, do you?” she asked with a smile. “I want to make sure everything arrives safely.”

Victoria just nodded, too tired to argue.

After leaving the boutique, Grace called a driver to take Victoria home. In the car, Victoria looked at the pile of branded shopping bags that filled the seat beside her. Her heart was heavy. It was all too much, and she knew not all of it came from good intentions.

Arriving at Logan's mansion, Rosa immediately greeted her. The maid's surprised gaze fell on the piled-up groceries.

“Just put them in my room and arrange them neatly, Rosa,” Victoria said with a faint smile. “Aunt Grace's gifts should be well appreciated.”

“Yes, Mrs. Victoria.” Rosa called two other servants to help move the items to the room.

Victoria stepped into the lounge, trying to unwind. She stared at the swimming pool at the side of the room, letting her mind drift.

But her thoughts were interrupted by anxiety. She realized something. “Rosa,” she called, ”where is Mr. Logan?”

“Mr. Logan has been in his room since morning, ma'am,” Rosa replied, setting the vase of flowers on the table. “He says the pain in his leg is getting worse. Mr. Ben has called a doctor to check on him. Perhaps he is resting now.”

Victoria frowned. “What's going on?” she murmured. “Logan is no longer taking the medicine. Does he sound bad?” She decided to go see him but... she remembered Rosa's prohibition. Without thinking, Victoria rushed to the kitchen. “Tell the head chef I want to cook something,” she said firmly.

Rosa looked surprised, but didn't argue. Victoria stepped into the kitchen, taking control from the head chef who tried to offer to help.

“I'll prepare it myself,” Victoria said as she tied up her hair.

She didn't know what made her act this way. Maybe it was a desire to show her care for Logan-something even she couldn't understand. I don't know. She was just following her intuition.

Before long, the aroma of freshly cooked soup filled the kitchen, warming the previously quiet atmosphere. Victoria carefully arranged the bowls on the tray. Her hands were trembling slightly, not from exhaustion, but rather from her mind that was constantly filled with possibilities of how Logan would take this.

Footsteps sounded from the doorway, causing her to turn her head quickly. Logan appeared, and with Ben pushing his wheelchair, they headed towards the dining room. His face looked tired, but his stern gaze remained unchanged.

“I have a few things to take care of, Mr. Logan,” Ben said, bowing politely. “Enjoy your lunch.”

Logan nodded in understanding. Then his ocean-blue eyes returned to Victoria in the kitchen. A sight he found odd but couldn't deny, Logan felt warm.

“You're... here?” Victoria asked in an awkward tone, trying to sound casual despite her racing heart.

Logan looked at her flatly, then gave a small snort. “Where else do you think I'd be if not in my house?” His stern tone no longer surprised Victoria, though it still felt piercing.

“I made you something,” Victoria said, trying to distract herself. “Chicken Soup with Quinoa and Vegetables. I hope you like it.”

Without comment, Logan took his seat and began ladling Victoria's soup. The woman took her place in front of him, watching intently, hoping the soup would alleviate some of the fatigue Logan was feeling.

The soup was simple but thoughtful. Lean chicken pieces, protein-rich quinoa, and fresh vegetables combined in a fragrant broth. Victoria cooked it with care, making sure each ingredient was carefully selected.

Logan seemed to enjoy the first few spoonfuls before the sound of quick steps interrupted the moment. Ben appeared with a serious face, carrying a tablet in his hand.

“Mr. Logan, there is important information,” he said, handing over the tablet.

Logan took it and read quickly. His calm face turned serious. When he finished reading, he handed the tablet back to Ben, then looked at Victoria sharply.

“What did you do during your time away from home, Victoria?” he asked coldly, his tone probing.

Victoria was silent for a moment, trying to formulate words. “I accompanied Aunt Grace to the boutique. She asked me to accompany her. We also talked about Abby.”

Logan squinted. “What else? Did she say anything suspicious?”

Victoria shook her head slowly. “Not much. She mentioned moving Abby to another hospital. She also gave me a lot of gifts, though I think that was excessive."

“And you accepted them?” Logan looked at her sharply, as if trying to assess the truth in her words.

“I had no choice,” Victoria replied in a low tone. "If I refused, she'd get suspicious. I just want to make sure he still trusts me.”

Logan let out a long breath, then leaned his back against the chair. “Do you have social media accounts?”

Victoria shook her head.

“None?”

She shook her head again. “I don't have time for that. I spend most of my time working part time and taking care of Abby,” Victoria said honestly because it was her reality.

“You better take a look at this.” Logan asked for the tablet Ben had shown him.

Victoria squinted suspiciously. What was really going on. Was there something interesting there? As soon as her eyes caught what the tablet screen showed, Victoria's eyeballs bulged in disbelief. Other than the photo with Lisa, which I don't know when it was taken, but their activities at the boutique really seemed natural and fun. And yet...

“Did... this photo affect you?”

Logan leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. “You know what they're saying out there about you?”

Victoria frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You're the perfect wife for me, Lisa. And now, many are beginning to urge me to introduce you to the public.”

“This... is impossible,” Victoria murmured, her voice trembling.

“You know what they're expecting now?” Logan said in a cold tone. “They want me to introduce you to the public.”

Victoria stared at Logan with an incredulous look. “You're not going to do that, are you?”

“I can't say for sure yet,” Logan replied shortly. "But for now, don't act without my permission. Understood?”

Victoria nodded obediently, though her mind was full of worry.

After a moment, Logan spoke again. “What about my therapy schedule? Have you arranged it?”

“I'll send it right away,” Victoria replied quickly. “If you're ready, we can start on schedule.”

Logan gave a small nod. “The sooner, the better. I don't want to miss the big meeting in two months. I've had enough of being cooped up at home.”

Victoria wanted to calm Logan down, but she knew there was no point in arguing. However, one thing was still on her mind. Abby's return. Victoria couldn't possibly send Abby to her parents' house. But... what if Logan objected to Abby's presence in the house? Victoria hadn't thought this far ahead.

“Mr. Logan,” she called softly. “Once Abby is in stable condition, she's allowed to go home. But... I don't know where to take her yet.”

Logan looked at Victoria with a sharp gaze, but this time there was something softer in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

Victoria looked down, wringing her hands together. “Can Abby stay here? I'll make sure her presence doesn't bother you. My room is big enough for the two of us-”

Logan raised his hand, stopping Victoria. “Ben,” he called.

Ben quickly approached. “Yes, sir?”

“Show Victoria to Abby's room,” Logan ordered curtly.

Victoria was stunned. “Room? For Abby?”

“Who else do you think it's for?” Logan gave her a sharp look. “Where else would Abby go but to the house where her mother lives?”