Chapter 522



The three of them moved into a cozy apartment. It wasn’t as grand as a villa, but it was perfect for their little family. The decor was warm and inviting, making the space feel like home.

For Sophie, it was all a new adventure. She’d never spent time in the countryside before, and her excitement bubbled over as she explored everything with wide-eyed curiosity. No matter where they went, she was always smiling, eager to discover something new.

Jake, ever the doting father, followed Sophie closely, gently reminding her to be careful every few steps. He couldn’t help it; he just wanted to make sure she was safe.

With a little time to herself, Kallie turned her attention to the list of participants in the program. There were two ordinary people and two celebrities. The ordinary participants came from different walks of life—one was a student, and the other was a successful entrepreneur. Kallie herself fell into the latter category. Among the celebrities was Elaine Webster, the elder sister of the girl Ewing had once mentioned.

Elaine was strikingly beautiful, with a bold, almost heroic presence. In an industry that favored delicate and demure looks, she stood out, confident and impossible to ignore. Kallie could see why Ewing had been so captivated by Elaine’s sister.

As for the other celebrity, she was an unknown actress with undeniable beauty. Be it the ordinary people or the celebrities, they were undeniably pretty. The director’s lineup felt more like a beauty pageant than a genuine countryside show.

Kallie studied the unknown actress and found something oddly familiar about her. She couldn’t place it, though. The memory danced just out of reach. Before Kallie could dwell on it, Jake slipped his arms around her from behind, his warmth pressing against her back. He leaned down, his voice gentle. “It’s late. You should get some rest. Sophie finally crashed after being so excited. I’ve run a warm bath for you. Go relax, and I’ll have the maid keep an eye on Sophie.”

Kallie turned around in his embrace, smiling up at him. “I didn’t expect you to be so thoughtful.”

Jake held her hand tighter, his voice dropping to a smooth, teasing whisper. “I’m not just thoughtful like this… Want me to show you in other ways?” His eyes darkened with desire, and Kallie caught the playful glint in them.

Without missing a beat, Kallie smacked his hand away, smirking. “Nice try. I’m going to bed.”

After her bath, Kallie stepped out of the bathroom to find Jake still on the bed, his face etched with a comical mix of frustration and longing. The look in his dark eyes was unmistakable, like a wounded puppy staring at his favorite toy just out of reach.

Drying her hair with a towel, Kallie raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing? Trying to get on my nerves?”

Jake, with all seriousness, pointed toward the window. “It looks like it’s going to rain.”

Kallie narrowed her eyes, catching his intent. “Don’t even start it. You’re not afraid of thunder.”

Jake met her gaze, his dark eyes serious and unflinching. “No, but I know you are.”

Kallie’s heart gave a little tremor. After all these years, he still remembered. Sophie wasn’t scared of thunder, though. Every time it stormed, Sophie would stay by Kallie’s side, comforting Kallie in her own quiet way. Although Kallie was not as scared as before, she still couldn’t sleep all night. And with the shoot scheduled for tomorrow, the thought gave her a mild headache.

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