Ryan's gaze darkened as he studied me, as if carefully weighing my words.

"Why are you suddenly so eager to go back to the Hudson estate?" His voice was low, laced with quiet scrutiny.

I met his eyes without hesitation, "I'm your wife. Isn't it natural for me to visit your family?"

His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, something unreadable flickered in his eyes—an emotion too complex to name. He looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he ...