My breath hitched. I fought to keep my expression placid. As I sat down on the armchair to his side, I even managed a playful tone. "What are you doing with my recipe book? Aren't you afraid of getting it dirty?" When Donovan first took me in, I couldn't cook to save my life. The food I made was edible, but that was about it. I was just a girl from the countryside with no degree, no particular intelligence, and no charming talents to entertain a man like him. All I had was a pretty face. It wasn't enough. The other girls chosen at the same time as me all said I'd be the first one to be sent packi ng. I couldn't go back to that life, a life where I never knew where my next meal was coming from. So I had tc find another way, any way, to make Donovan see I had more to offer than just my looks. Luckily, I had a knack for cooking. I could replicate almost any dish I wanted to learn after just one or two tries. This notebook was a war veteran, spattered with oil stains and the faded colors of a hundred different sauces. After I'd mastered the skill, Donovan had told me more than once to throw the book away. I refused. To me, that notebook was a testament to my survival, to my growth. It meant something. I'd hidd- en it so well he hadn't found it in years. Thinking of this, the anxiety that had gripped me since I walked in began to subside. It didn't matter if he'd seen what was inside. I already had my excuse ready. 'The last two pages," he said, his voice flat, cutting through my thoughts. "What you wrote here. What does it mean?" So much for that. He wasn't going to be led astray. He opened the notebook to the back and held it out for me to see. I put on my most embarrassed expression. "Oh, that. A friend recommended a novel to me. The main chara- cter dies because she's a fool for love. The author wrote her story so tragically... I couldn't help it. I got emot- onal and just jotted down some thoughts." In Donovan's eyes, I was neither smart nor a good liar. He had always believed everything I said. But this time, he didn't drop it. 'What's the book called?" he pressed. "I'd like to read it." I froze for a second, then forced a laugh. I unlocked my phone and pulled up a random rebirth novel I'd read before. I even thoughtfully scrolled to a chapter that had made me cry and handed it to him. Just as I expected, he scrolled through a few pages, his expression unreadable, before handing the phone and the notebook back to me. "It's late," he said softly. "Go get ready for bed." 1/12 13:54 Chapter 2 13.54 The next day, I deliberately slept in. After Donovan had left for work, I casually asked the housekeeper who had cleaned the day before. "Mr. Black called around noon yesterday," she explained. "He said he was missing a file and asked me to look for it in the study and the bedroom. I happened to be cleaning the bedroom at the time and saw the notebook under the bed. When I called him back, I mentioned it. He told me to put it in the study for him to look at when he got home." She then glanced at me nervously. "Ma'am, did I do something wrong?" In this house, only the butler knew the true nature of my relationship with Donovan. The housekeepers, al hired from out of town, had called me 'Ma'am' or 'Mrs. Black' from their first day. I'd never paid it much min before. But with Camilla back, I had to be careful. 'It's nothing, I was just asking," I said. "Oh, and when you have a moment, could you let the others know They shouldn't call me 'Mrs. Black' anymore. Mr. Black and I are not married." A flash of surprise crossed the housekeeper's face, but she recovered quickly. "Of course, Ma'a... Of course Ms. Lee." My real name was Li Nanxi. He'd given me Nancy. I preferred Naomi, a name I'd given myself. But here, I was simply Ms. Lee. Perhaps it was the wine from last night, or the shock from Donovan's interrogation, but I felt unwell when was about to leave. The restaurant was nearly finished. I remembered leaving the windows open to air ou he smell of fresh paint, so I felt safe leaving it for a day and went back to bed. woke up later, thirsty. As I opened my bedroom door, I heard voices from the main living area. It's hilarious. Does Naomi really think we don't know anything? Telling you not to call her 'Mrs. Black' anymo e. She's just feeling guilty now that the real one is back." I heard that Ms. Rhodes is beautiful and brilliant. A man like Mr. Black would obviously want someone who can be his partner. This 'trophy' we wait on... what does she have besides a pretty face? Of course she' scared." Right. I'd forgotten that the staff had their own sources of information. They knew everything; they just play ed dumb around me. coughed softly before stepping out of the room. The women who had been huddled together were now scattered, diligently doing their chores. I walked to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water when a voice came from behind me. ' Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!