“Yes. You have a bad temper and a bad memory. What’s wrong with that?” Zach said.

Winter flung a pillow at him. “Just shut up!”

He tilted his head and skillfully dodged it, which showed that he was well-practiced in this sort of exchange.

She reached for another pillow, but he said, “Don’t bother. It’s behind me.” Then, he patted his back.

Winter was dumbfounded. “How did it get over there?”

Zach sighed and confirmed that she really did have a poor memory. “Miss, you’ve already thrown one pillow at me. This is the second time. Thanks.”

She paused and said, “Oh.”

The air turned awkward, and she broke the silence. “What time is it?”

Zach was momentarily speechless before saying, “It’s 10:30 am.” He sensed her teasing him again.

He continued, “But hey, don’t worry. It’s still early. I mean, taking a bit of extra time to get ready to meet your future mother-in-law makes sense, right?”

Winter was left speechless. “Can you pour me some…”

He quickly interjected, “Water, right?”

With that, he grabbed a glass from the vanity, which was already filled with water. “Hurry up and drink. Once you’re done, get up, and we’ll leave after you change.”

Winter reached for the glass but immediately sensed something was off. “Is this warm water?”

“Yes.” Zach thought all women preferred warm water.

She frowned and said, “Go get me a glass of ice water instead.”

“Isn’t it too cold to drink that first thing in the morning?" Although he usually had ice water in the mornings, she was different because she was a woman.

“What’s wrong with being a woman?” Winter rolled her eyes. “Who told you women only drink warm water? That’s ridiculous!”

“My ex…” Zach’s words trailed off, and he knew he had misspoken.

“Those ex-girlfriends of yours?” She smirked.

He fell silent.

“Idiot!”

“No… Why do you always have to insult people?” Zach asked.

“Let me ask you this. Did your exes drink lattes? Did they eat sushi? Did they enjoy cold cocktails?”

He paused briefly and asked, “Why are you asking about this?”

“Everything I mentioned is either cold or even raw. So, do they like it or not?”

Zach was stumped.

Winter stretched lazily and kicked off the covers. “I don’t know when it became a thing that only ‘decent’ women drink warm water. What’s the big deal if I don’t enjoy it?”

He replied softly, “So, you’re not decent?”

“Are you looking for a fight?”

He instinctively stepped back.

“Go on, get me some ice water while I change. Oh, and there are two cups on the bedside table that I used a few days ago. I forgot to clean them up. Can you take them to the kitchen? The maid will come later to wash them.”

Zach asked, “Did you use those two glasses?”

“Who else would they be for, ghosts?”

“Hehe… Okay. I’ll get you that ice water.”

Winter looked at him, puzzled. She wondered what was behind that goofy grin while he poured the water. When Zach returned with the ice water, she had already changed. At that moment, she stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows with all the curtains drawn wide open.

Sunlight streamed in, casting a golden glow on the wooden floor as if dusted with gold powder. She wore a form-fitting blue dress that accentuated her curves down to her ankles.

As she heard his footsteps, she turned to look at him in the radiant sunlight. The light created a mesmerizing interplay of shadows and brilliance around her. It made her look ethereal, like a goddess.

At that instant, Zach felt the air thicken, and his breathing slowed. He stood frozen and heard his abnormal