Obsessive Devotion Ice-Cold Tycoon's Calculated Proposal

Vivian shook her head vigorously, trying to clear her mind of the chaotic thoughts swirling in her head.

Just as she was trying to focus, Daniel turned around while tasting the soup, raising an eyebrow when he heard the movement. "Awake? Come have some food."

His tone was so casual and domestic.

Maybe it was because she had been so exhausted lately, but Vivian felt a strange sense of peace, as though time had slowed down. The five-year gap between them seemed to have vanished in an instant.

Her focus was entirely on him, and naturally, she noticed the subtle change in him.

In the past, every time she had seen him, his shirt collar had always been buttoned all the way up to his throat. But now, two buttons were left undone, and she could clearly see his collarbone and chest muscles.

She glanced at him inadvertently and then quickly turned her gaze away, her mind recalling the image of him from yesterday. She tried to push the thoughts aside.

She had slept soundly, but her voice was still hoarse when she responded, sounding a bit rough, "Okay."

She walked slowly toward the table, pulling out a chair and sitting down. "Thank you."

The past couple of days had felt like a series of disasters for her, dragging Daniel into her mess and having him clean up after her. Saying "thank you" seemed insufficient, as she hadn't really done anything to show her gratitude.

"The doctor said you might not have much of an appetite after the fever breaks, so I made some vegetable and lean meat porridge to replenish some vitamin C and protein. Have a bit to start with," Daniel said, noticing that her mood still seemed low.

"As for the meal you owe me, we'll save that for later, once you're feeling better," he added with a small smile, the concern in his voice clear.

The porridge he had just scooped out was still steaming, so Daniel stirred it a few more times to let it cool before placing it in front of her. "You've slept a whole day and night, you must be hungry."

Vivian wasn't foolish. She could tell that Daniel was trying to make light of the situation so she wouldn't overthink it. Still, hearing that she had slept for so long surprised her.

"Yeah, I did sleep a bit too long." She felt awkward and rubbed her face with both hands, squishing her cheeks together like she was pinching dough.

It was an old habit, something she still did despite all the years.

Daniel gave a small hum of acknowledgment, his eyes softening as he filled his own bowl with porridge and sat down beside her, "The doctor said your illness was mostly from exhaustion. Getting more rest will help."

Vivian knew she needed to rest, but…

Her sleep had never been good over the years, and though she had seen psychologists, it never really helped. No matter how late she went to sleep, she always woke up on time the next morning.

But today, she had slept soundly for the first time in a long while.

"I know," she muttered quietly, but before she could say more, Daniel grabbed her wrist.

Startled, she didn't even have time to pull away before she heard his firm voice. "Don't just talk about it. Your immune system is so weak because you don't rest properly."

His grip tightened slightly. "Remember?"

It was clear he wasn't going to let go until she acknowledged him.

Vivian lowered her head and took a spoonful of porridge, murmuring, "Mm."

The pressure on her wrist soon disappeared, replaced by the sound of the spoon tapping against the bowl. But the heat from his touch lingered on her skin, and it felt like it had been seared by fire.

The living room of this spacious apartment had high ceilings, and aside from the sofa, there was only the dining table.

Despite the ample space, Daniel chose to sit right next to her.

But this was his home, so she didn't feel she could avoid it too blatantly. Who knew, maybe he preferred sitting there.

They were sitting so close that Daniel's signature pine-frost scent was now overwhelming, and Vivian, keeping her head down, continued to eat the porridge without looking up.

As for Daniel, he ate slowly, savoring each bite as if it were the finest meal.

The slower his movements, the more she couldn't help but notice them.

For some reason, as they sat side by side, Vivian's heartbeat began to accelerate.

Thud-thud-thud—her pulse seemed to echo in her chest, almost rising to her throat.

"How does it taste?" Daniel asked, his voice steady.

Vivian muttered, "Good. Tastes just like something from a restaurant."

She realized how formal that sounded and added quickly, "I didn't expect you could cook."

At her words, Daniel glanced at her, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "I can do more than just that."

His voice was deep and rich, the sound of it almost like a caress, "You just haven't noticed."

His gaze was intense, and Vivian felt a heat flare in her chest.

But she couldn't just ignore it—after all, avoiding him now would only make it more obvious. She turned her head to face him, her breath hitching.

The aroma of the porridge surrounded them, the steam rising gently. They were close enough that she could see the reflection of herself in his eyes.

Daniel swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.

Vivian's eyes followed the movement, and she noticed the red marks along his neck. Not just one, but several.

"Your neck…"

"Remember your masterpiece?" Daniel's voice was low, almost amused, as if the situation didn't bother him.

Vivian suddenly recalled what had happened at Rosewood Hotel the day before when she had scratched him in her confusion.

"Let me see," she blurted, already reaching for him before she could think.

Her fingers, light as they were, brushed against his neck, her worry genuine. "It's bleeding. Does it hurt?"

"You had the doctor come treat me, but you didn't have her disinfect the scratches? What if they leave scars?" Vivian had been quite rough with him yesterday when she thought he was a threat.

There were several irregularly-shaped red marks from his Adam's apple to his collarbone, and they looked a bit unsettling.

Before she could react, she felt Daniel's hand grip hers firmly, his eyes darkening for a moment.

Vivian winced in pain, quickly explaining, "I just wanted to see the injury."

But before she could continue, Daniel stood up abruptly.

She assumed he was angry and was wondering how to make it up to him when suddenly she felt something heavy fall over her shoulders.

A light blanket covered her, and Daniel's voice was low and concerned. "Your hands are cold. You just got over your fever—don't catch another cold."

He sat awkwardly, leaning slightly toward her but not facing her directly. "It's not serious. Just put some ointment on it later."

He tightened his shirt collar, concealing the red marks, and began stirring the porridge again, changing the subject casually. "When I was studying abroad, the food was so bland that I often ended up starving and unable to focus. So, I learned to cook for myself. The more you do it, the better you get."

He glanced at her with a hint of a smile. "Cooking is a skill. It comes in handy when you need it."

Vivian, flustered, couldn't help but notice the charm in his gaze, a mix of intensity and allure.

It was like he could see right into her heart.

She felt something shift in her chest, and before she could react, he held up her bowl. "If it tastes good, have another bowl."

As though to confirm her words, Vivian drank three bowls of porridge before she finally stopped, her stomach pleasantly full.

Feeling stuffed, she walked around the room, trying to digest.

This apartment was a luxurious seaside flat with an incredible view, and Vivian knew this location well. It was a prime spot along the coast, and such properties were priced in the hundreds of millions. Before her family's bankruptcy, they might have been able to afford a place like this.