CHAPTER 4.

Isabella looked into Jack’s brown eyes. She stared at him nervously. Her body was still trapped in the man’s embrace. Jack’s large hands encircled her waist, making the distance between them almost nonexistent. Isabella could smell the scent of Jack’s cologne—sandalwood mixed with vanilla. A scent that always reminded her of Jack.

“Um, I—” Isabella tried to push Jack’s hands off her body, trying to get away from the man who could drive her insane in a single night. But Jack pulled her even closer. He left Isabella unable to continue her words.

Isabella bit her lip, holding back the frustration and nervousness that were mixing together inside her.

Then, unexpectedly, Jack spun Isabella around confidently and firmly, moving her away from the stove behind them. Isabella’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest when he did that. But before she could say anything, Jack had already set her down and removed his hands from her waist.

Jack moved quickly. He turned the stove knob in front of him until the flame went out.

Click.

After that, he slipped both hands into his pants pockets—a casual gesture that contrasted sharply with the cold look in his eyes.

Jack looked at Isabella, his left eyebrow raised. “Were you planning to burn down my kitchen, Isabella?”

His tone was flat, but the sarcasm in his words was unmistakable.

Isabella looked down. This was truly embarrassing. “Sorry,” she mumbled in a voice barely audible to Jack.

“Change that dress. I don’t like you wearing flashy colors. You can choose black, white, or gray.”

Yep. And that’s exactly what had happened during their two-year marriage: Isabella only owned dark-colored clothes.

“You have to come with me to the office today.”

Isabella frowned. “To the office?”

Jack nodded once without looking at her. “I need to introduce you to a few important colleagues. It’s part of strengthening our family image in the eyes of the investors.”

“Me?”

Jack only glanced at her briefly. “You are my wife, aren’t you? At least on paper. Appearing with me is a must. You should have read the contract before agreeing to sign it.”

Jack sat on the sofa, then took his phone from the pocket of his expensive suit.

“If you only have beauty, you won’t be able to compete with anyone in this world.”

Isabella wanted to argue. But she also realized, this really was all about business. She took a deep breath and simply said, “Alright. I’ll go shower first.”

Jack didn’t respond.

Isabella walked into the room quickly. Inside, she sighed heavily. Her chest still felt tight from the earlier moment. Jack’s embrace. His scent. His sharp yet annoying gaze. Why did that man always know how to make her feel awkward?

“Wait, what did he just say? Did he just say that I’m beautiful?” Isabella froze, but then shook her head. “No way. He clearly said that to imply I’m dumb. He really is a jerk!”

She took a quick shower and chose a simple black dress. Formal enough but still feminine. She let her hair down naturally.

Once she was done, she walked out and found Jack already standing in the living room in a neatly pressed black suit, phone in hand, with the same unchanged expression since morning. Isabella began to wonder whether Jack truly couldn’t show emotions or if it was something else. That cold face was really annoying, and Isabella wanted to punch it just once.

They got into the car waiting in the yard. Jack’s personal driver greeted them with a respectful bow. The car glided smoothly out of the mansion gates.

For several minutes, there was no conversation in the car. Only the sound of the air conditioning and traffic could be heard from outside. Isabella occasionally glanced at Jack, who sat beside her, eyes focused on the screen of his phone. Isabella started to think, if only she had something to keep her busy besides working at her father’s office, maybe she wouldn’t be paying attention to Jack’s busy face that made her uncomfortable.

Isabella turned her face to the window. Her feelings became a mess because of her irritation toward Jack.

Until finally, Jack spoke, “Martin, stop by McDonald’s.”

Isabella frowned. She spoke quietly to herself. “McDonald’s? Is the emotionless and empathy-lacking Jack going to buy a burger with a cute toy package at McDonald’s?” and her small laugh made Jack glance at her for a moment.

It didn’t take long before the car stopped at the McDonald’s drive-thru. Jack rolled down the window, and without turning to Isabella, he asked, “What do you want to eat?”

Isabella was stunned for a moment. That question was so… unusual. Of all the moments with Jack, this was the first time he’d ever asked what she wanted to eat.

“What?” Isabella squinted, trying to make sure she wasn’t hearing things. “Did you just talk to me?”

Jack finally turned to her. His eyes stared straight at Isabella.

“Why are you suddenly concerned about me?”

Then he leaned in. His face was only a few centimeters from Isabella’s, close enough that his warm breath brushed her cheek.

“Because if you starve to death, I’ll be in trouble.”

Isabella blinked quickly. She held her breath. And in her heart, she wanted to throw a nugget at Jack’s face right then.

“Well, you’re right,” Isabella muttered, rolling her eyes. “You can order anything. I eat everything. Like… an omnivore.”

But it was undeniable, a small smile appeared on Isabella’s lips.

In her heart, she cursed, “Stupid annoying man. But damn it! Why am I smiling?”

Jack ordered two popular meal sets at McDonald’s and told the driver to continue the ride to the office.

“Yours,” said Jack as he handed Isabella her meal.

Isabella accepted the food, and even though she didn’t say thank you out loud, she secretly felt… a little appreciated. Isabella stared at the food for quite a while. This was the first time Jack had handed her food directly. During their two-year marriage, Jack had always left Isabella alone in the mansion. Even when he brought food, he would just leave it on the table without ever inviting Isabella to sit and eat with him.

What just happened? Why was Jack suddenly different?

“Why are you just staring at your food? Don’t you like it?” Jack suddenly snatched the food, making Isabella look up.

Isabella’s eyes welled up. She seemed to be holding back tears, and Jack noticed it.

“Are you crying?”

“No.”

Jack sighed and handed the food back to Isabella. “Don’t get too full of yourself. I didn’t buy you food because I care. I just—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I already know,” said Isabella, snatching her food from Jack. “You’ve never seen me as existing in this world. Don’t worry. I’m not crying because you care.”

But Isabella’s words at that moment, suddenly touched Jack’s long-frozen heart—without him knowing why.