Scarlet burst into laughter, winked at Felicia, and flicked her hair over her shoulder. Her already seductive features became even more enchanting as she teased, “Forget him! Why don’t I just stick with you instead? How about that?”

Felicia chuckled. “That works for me.”

Arsen finished their meal and tidied the table before Scarlet left. Night fell.

Felicia tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Just as drowsiness claimed her, a cool breeze drifted in through the window. The night air was fresh and surprisingly pleasant. She was about to drift off when her eyes snapped open. The window was supposed to be closed. Where did that wind come from?

Before she could react, a shadow darted toward her. Instinct kicked in, and Felicia reached under her pillow for her knife. She struck out without hesitation. But the intruder seemed to anticipate her every move. As she lunged, he dodged, his hand closing precisely around her wrist, halting her strike. The blade stopped inches from his throat.

Then, a familiar sigh filled the silence, tinged with helpless amusement. “What’s this? Are you trying to assassinate your husband?”

Felicia's gaze snapped up. A handsome face came into view, complete with sharp brows, alluring eyes, and sculpted features. His chiseled nose and the slight curve of his lips made him unmistakable. Who else could it be but Stephan?

She released the knife and ran her finger along his throat. His skin was smooth, his Adam's apple moving beneath her fingers. Relief washed over her. She didn't question Stephan's sudden appearance; she was too focused on ensuring she hadn't injured him.

But from Stephan's perspective, her actions looked far more like an intimate caress than a simple check. His eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and husky. “Darling, are you seducing me?”

Felicia, having been tricked enough times, recognized the trap. She immediately pulled back, withdrawing her hand with an innocent shake of her head. Only then did she notice the wide-open window behind him. Her stomach dropped. This was the fourth floor. A chill ran down her spine as she inhaled sharply. She punched Stephan squarely in the chest. “Are you insane? You climbed through the window from here?”

Stephan let her punch land. He wanted to explain that he had jumped from the rooftop, but the words died on his lips when he saw the worry in her eyes. Instead, he simply pulled her into his arms. “My fault.”

It was his fault for making her worry. It was also his fault for…

Stephan lowered his head and kissed her hair. His tone was tender, as if he feared she might break if he wasn't careful. Even his movements were unnervingly gentle. At first, Felicia was puzzled. But a thought struck her, and she quickly pieced together what he was apologizing for. “You know everything now?”

“Yes.” Stephan ran a thumb lightly across her cheek. “Does it hurt? Are you in pain?”

Felicia shook her head. “No. That was before, but it’s all in the past. Right now, the one suffering isn’t me. It’s…”

She didn’t say the name aloud. She wasn’t sure if mentioning Maurice would make Stephan want to grab a knife and go after him. After all, Stephan’s sister, Imogen, was still in the hospital, though she had survived the stab wound that had nearly killed her.

But to her surprise, Stephan said first, “So, you want to settle your debt to Maurice by going to sea and finding a cure for him?”

Felicia nodded. She was just about to assert her stubbornness, but before she could speak, Stephan said, “Then I’ll go with you. We’ll settle this debt together.”

“What?” Felicia froze. Of all the actions she had expected, this wasn't one of them. She stared at him with a rare, adorable, foolish expression.