Alexis' heart fluttered at Leonel's words.

Yes, how could Leonel engage in a failing business? Alexis pondered the terms they had agreed upon. There were 60 days in total, and they could actually be intimate at the end of this period. While he had promised not to force her, the agreement also implied that she should make an effort to reconcile with him.

With a faint smile, Alexis relaxed her grip, her fingers curling slightly.

Leonel half-crouched before her, skillfully unfastening three buttons of her shirt to reveal her torso. Despite having recently given birth, her body remained attractive.

At least Leonel's breath quickened slightly.

It had been more than half a year since he had last been intimate, and now the woman before him was the one he desired. How could he resist the urge?

Yet he restrained himself, merely caressing Alexis lightly before raising his gaze to meet hers. "You seem even more beautiful than before," he murmured softly.

Alexis wasn't being content anymore.

Having been husband and wife for many years, they were intimately familiar with each other's bodies. Alexis naturally nursed Cordelia in her arms, and seeing that she didn't push him away, Leonel remained by her side. He only moved Cordelia to the crib once she had finished nursing from both sides.

Turning his head, Leonel noticed Alexis tidying up her clothes.

In a hoarse voice, he offered, “Let me help you."

Feeling embarrassed, Alexis looked away. "I can manage on my own. I'm hungry. Could you prepare some food and bring it up? I prefer something light.”

Leonel was content that Alexis was willing to talk to him.

Helping her settle onto the bed to have some rest, he pondered for a moment before speaking. "I'll relocate the crib to the main bedroom this afternoon," he decided. "It's much more comfortable there. We'll wait until Cordelia is able to sleep on her own before allowing her to stay here.”

Alexis made no objection. She closed her eyes and murmured, "Let me know when dinner's ready."

She was so exhausted that she fell asleep soon.

As Alexis drifted into sleep, completely unaware, Leonel stood by her bedside for a long while. Finally, unable to resist, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. In that moment, overwhelmed with emotion, he felt tears threaten to spill.

Whispering against her lips, he murmured, "I don't care if you call me mean or ungrateful."

What mattered most was that Alexis had returned to him.

It took Leonel over an hour to prepare a meal suitable for a woman who had just given birth, and he personally delivered it upstairs.