Theodore had made it clear that he didn't desire children.

He had even insensitively suggested an abortion in the event of her pregnancy.

Ariana was caught in an emotional crossfire.

On reconsideration, they hadn't been in love when he made those statements, but now their love was deep and profound. Had he perhaps changed his stance?

Emboldened by this thought, Ariana once again mustered the courage to speak, but a sudden growl from her stomach interrupted her.

Her face instantly flushed with embarrassment.

Covering her belly awkwardly, she coughed before admitting to Theodore with a sheepish grin, "I'm famished."

Theodore gazed at her, chuckling softly before affectionately ruffling her hair and acknowledging, "Yes, I know."

In a playful fit of embarrassment, Ariana threw a pillow at his head.

Theodore, however, did not evade it. Standing up with a grin, he announced, "I'm going to prepare dinner."

Ariana looked at him in disbelief.

"You know how to cook?"

“Certainly, I've been picking it up lately. I've even asked Horace to deliver the ingredients to our doorstep." Theodore seemed well-prepared as he headed to the door to fetch the delivered items.

Ariana, now seated on the sofa, repressed her initial impulse to stop him upon witnessing his newfound confidence.

He wouldn't blow up the kitchen with his cooking exploits, would he?

Ariana watched Theodore carry the ingredients into the kitchen and heard the door shut behind him with a definitive click.

So he wished for privacy while cooking?

The sight of the closed kitchen door amused Ariana.

Given that this was likely his first attempt at cooking, she decided to grant him some space, despite her mounting curiosity.

Before long, a series of noises from the kitchen caught Ariana's attention while she was engrossed in the television.