With her emotions under control, Ariana took a refreshing shower and changed into her comfortable pajamas. She crawled into bed, her mind now racing with thoughts of work.

Suddenly, she remembered that she had forgotten to inform Betsy that Tyler would be coming to sign the contract tomorrow. She searched for her phone, but it was nowhere to be found.

Panic overtook Ariana, and she started patting her head, hoping to retrieve the lost phone from her muddled thoughts. She heard somewhere that pregnancy could cause a lack of focus, and at this moment, she realized how true it could be.

She left the phone at Theodore's apartment as they had dinner just now.

Ariana cursed herself for her forgetfulness and glanced at the clock on the wall.

With her loose pajamas on, she contemplated getting changed but decided against it as time was slipping away. Without a second thought, she shuffled toward Theodore's apartment with her slippers clacking loudly against the floor. She rang his doorbell.

At last, after what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open, revealing Theodore.

Theodore sat in his wheelchair, staring blankly at Ariana without any hint of emotion or words. However, Ariana's intuition alerted her that something was off, that he was irritated.

"[ think I left my phone here. Can you help me fetch it? I'll appreciate it." Ariana fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her lips dry, as she made her request.

“Find it yourself." Theodore's attitude was frigid and dismissive, akin to the biting winds of winter. His previous docile demeanor had vanished completely.

Ariana scrunched her face, about to respond when Theodore abruptly tumed away and went back inside.

“How strange," muttered Ariana, her lips pouting in confusion.

As Ariana stepped inside, her eyes landed on her phone lying on the table. As soon as she picked it up, the faint sound of wheels clicking against the hardwood floor interrupted her.

Before she could even comprehend what was happening, she was enveloped in a strong, warm embrace. Theodore's muscular arms effortlessly lifted her up.

Caught off guard, her hands instinctively moved to wrap around his neck, finding a steady balance as she sat in his lap. She gazed up at him, breathing in his familiar scent.

"What..." Ariana was at a loss for words as Theodore's breath tickled her cheeks.

Her face flushed with a mix of confusion and embarrassment.

As his warm breath continued to caress her skin, a jolt of electricity seemed to course through her body, making her heart race uncontrollably.

But as she finally registered how close they were, Ariana felt her cheeks burn with shame and irritation. She quickly loosened her hold around Theodore's neck.

“What's going on?"