Any man in his position would feel uneasy, yet Marcus opted to remain silent on the matter.

As Melissa retrieved a coat from the wardrobe, she noticed Marcus' clothes entwined with hers. She couldn't but help pause, momentarily stunned by the sight. Putting on the coat, she whispered softly, “You don't have to move in here."

Marcus mulled over her words.

He wasn't naive. Melissa had declined his diamond ring, resisted moving in with him, and showed no genuine desire to be with him.

Her acceptance of him remained surface-level.

Their encounter last night seemed to be nothing more than a passing moment. She likely regretted it, yet her reserved demeanor prevented her from admitting it outright.

Marcus offered a faint smile before leaning in to brush her lips with a kiss.

"Driver safe. Return home early, and we'll share a meal together," he suggested softly.

Melissa mustered a forced smile.

Matthew, just awakened, found solace in Marcus’ company, clinging to him affectionately as they played together.

At eight o'clock sharp, Melissa departed, leaving Marcus engrossed in play with Matthew.

Melissa descended the stairs, unlatched the door, and settled into the driver's seat of her car. Gazing quietly at the snowfall through the window, she remained lost in thought for quite some time.

Eventually, she ignited the engine but only drove a short distance before pulling over. Stepping into a nearby pharmacy, she purchased a box of medicine.

Back in the car, she unscrewed the Lid of the thermos mug and swallowed a pill.

It was a morning-after pill.

Memories of her encounter with Marcus flooded back; however, doubts plagued her mind regarding the authenticity of the pills she took back then.

The pill was a tad bitter, leaving a lingering taste in her mouth.

After swallowing it down, she sat in contemplation for a while before driving off.

Not too far away, a sleek white Bentley sat parked.

With his slender fingers resting on the steering wheel, Marcus observed silently as Melissa entered and exited the pharmacy. She lingered in her car for about ten minutes before departing. Marcus could hazard a guess at what she had purchased and consumed.