I’m Not His White Rose Anymore Chapter 11
That evening, Lorenzo came home with a prime filet mignon.
Over dinner, he didn’t mention my application, and I didn’t ask.
It wasn’t until after we finished eating that he finally spoke. “Isabella is leaving for the north. She’s joining a top-secret national medical project. She might not ever be able to come back…”
So?
I put down my fork and knife, listening to him.
Lorenzo looked at me intently.
“Vivian, I want to formally adopt Lina. I don’t want her to grow up an orphan like you…”
I almost laughed.
Just this morning, he was so determined to cut ties with Isabella and Lina. Now, not only were the ties not cut, they were about to be strengthened. How nice.
“You should. After all, her father saved your life.”
Lorenzo’s face showed both gratitude and relief.
“But don’t worry, I won’t let them interfere with your life. Even after Isabella leaves, my mother will take care of Lina, so you won’t have to worry about a thing.”
I nodded.
Everything was already arranged. What else was there for me to say?
But after that, Isabella and Lina really didn’t come to our house anymore.
I could finally focus on my studies in peace.
To be honest, as long as those two weren’t deliberately showing off in front of me, I could tolerate them.
Whenever Lorenzo wasn’t on a mission, he took care of all the housework.
“Why are you reading about cryptography and cybersecurity? Do college applications require that now?”
A voice suddenly appeared above me.
He leaned over, his hands resting on the arms of my chair, enveloping me in his strong, masculine scent.
I shifted slightly to avoid his breath on my cheek.
“It’s just a hobby. I’m just looking.”
I had no intention of telling him I was joining a federal agency.
“I have a very important assessment coming up, Lorenzo. I think we should sleep in separate rooms for now.”
Just this morning, I had noticed him decorating the room, even buying champagne and roses.
In our last life, he had said he never got the chance to have a proper wedding with me, so he made a big deal out of our first time together. He had spent a long time decorating the room just like this.
Hearing my words, Lorenzo’s body stiffened slightly. He stood up straight and said, “Alright.”
Over the next few days, I could feel a palpable gloom hanging over him.
But that was none of my business.
With the assessment looming, I forgot to eat and sleep, absorbing knowledge like a sponge.
The professor used to say I had a talent for this, but that didn’t mean my half-baked skills were up to professional standards.
But right now, the country was in desperate need of talent. I didn’t believe they could find that many true experts, so my chances were good. I had to seize this opportunity.
Finally, the day of the assessment arrived.
Lorenzo made breakfast early that morning.
“I have some personal business to take care of today…”
He emphasized the words “personal business.”
I kept my head down, sipping my coffee without looking up.
“Okay.”
Lorenzo’s breath caught. He stood beside me, his tall frame like a mountain, his presence overwhelming.
“You’re not going to ask where I’m going or what I’m doing?”
I finally put down my cup and looked up with a smile. “You’re always busy. Just do what you need to do.”
In the past, wasn’t all your free time spent with Isabella and Lina?
Once, I had a sudden, severe stomach flu. You said you were busy, but it turned out you were just taking Lina to her ballet class…
That “personal time” of yours was never for me. Why should I bother asking?
Lorenzo stared at me for a long, long time.
I felt like the coffee in my cup was getting cold, and I didn’t want to drink cold coffee and get a stomachache. Today’s assessment was too important.
I met his gaze without flinching.
“Is there anything else?”
Lorenzo finally sighed, an undeniable weariness in his eyes.
“Wait for me to come home and make dinner tonight.”
I nodded.
