Ollie, the puppy, wagged its tail under the table.

Though the puppy had grown since they'd got it, it was still small in stature.

Leonel explained patiently to Evelyn, "Ollie eats dog food and canned food. Salty food like this isn't good for him. How about we go to the pet store together next time and get some special dog treats for Ollie?"

Evelyn nodded in understanding.

She sympathetically said to Ollie, "Poor thing, you can't even enjoy a bone."

She then gently stroked Ollie's head.

The puppy's eyes drooped, its body slumping in disappointment.

It looked so dispirited.

Watching this family scene, Alexis felt a tearful surge of emotion.

She had envisioned such moments during her pregnancy with Evelyn. Now that it became real, a bittersweet sadness filled her.

Leonel's gaze suddenly met hers, noticing the moisture in her eyes.

He looked at her, trying to read her emotions.

As Alexis composed herself and sat down to eat, Leonel asked softly, "What's the matter? You were crying a lot back in the cloak room earlier. Why do you look like you're about to cry again?"

His mention of their cloak room shenanigan took her by surprise.

Alexis felt a twinge of annoyance. “I'm not crying," she remarked.

Leonel nodded, seemingly understanding what she meant. "Those must be delayed physiologic tears."

Unable to think of a retort, Alexis shot Leonel a cautionary glance.

He responded with a smile. Convincing her seemed effortless to him.

This time, he chose a different approach.

Leonel remained thoughtful and refrained from asking further questions. However, after putting Evelyn to bed, he took Alexis to the guest room next door. There, they were intimate repeatedly...