Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting golden streaks across Sophia Sullivan's face.
She blinked awake.
Her gaze automatically drifted to the floor.
The makeshift bed had been neatly folded away.
Not a single crease remained.
"Ethan Sullivan rises early," she mused, stretching.
The pristine floor showed no trace of last night's occupancy.
Only the burnt-out candle on the nightstand proved it hadn't been a dream.
After freshening up, she shuffled into the living area, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
Ethan sat at the dining table.
Two steaming bowls of pasta waited.
"After last night's chaos, I'm impressed you cooked breakfast," Sophia said, sliding into a chair.
She grabbed her fork without ceremony.
Simple instant noodles, elevated with fried eggs, ham, and fresh greens.
Ethan sighed.
"The pantry only had instant noodles."
"I improvised."
"Do you always eat like this?"
His brows knitted.
"Even with your workload, you should hire help."
"Processed food ruins your digestion."
He considered himself neglectful of health.
Sophia was worse.
She inhaled the aroma, ignoring his lecture.
"Smells divine."
The legendary ice-cold CEO turned out to be a nag.
Her first bite surprised her.
Somehow, his version tasted infinitely better.
Same ingredients.
Wildly different results.
"I'm saving you effort," she teased.
"A stocked fridge would mean more work."
Still, she mentally noted to grocery shop.
Ethan had a point.
Server repairs had consumed her mealtimes lately.
Ethan picked up his fork.
"Then I thank you for your consideration."
"Too modest."
Sophia took another bite.
"What's your secret?"
"Same noodles, but yours are exceptional."
"Just proper timing."
The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted.
His tone stayed neutral.
But amusement flickered in his eyes.
"We leave for the office after this."
"Fine."
Post-breakfast, Ethan smoothly transferred into his customized luxury sedan.
The folded wheelchair settled beside the passenger seat.
The vehicle's AI navigation provided flawless autonomous driving.
Sophia arched a brow.
His disability act was flawless.
"You've thought of everything."
"It's not an act."
Ethan adjusted his cufflinks calmly.
"I used a wheelchair before."
"Recovery came later."
"The routine is familiar."
Sophia froze.
He'd mentioned this during their cave ordeal.
She'd forgotten.
Nearly misspoken.
"My apologies."
Ethan shook his head.
"Ancient history."
"I'm fully healed now."
His gaze shifted to the empty seat.
"Care to ride together?"
Sophia recoiled.
"Arrive with the CEO?"
"Office gossip would spread in twenty minutes."
"I'll take a cab."