Elizabeth strolled through the streets, lost in thought, as she noticed how many of the familiar old shops from her past had either moved, been renovated, or were now under new ownership.
She had always dreamed of bringing Elijah here, to walk the same streets she once did, see the familiar sights, and taste the foods that held a special place in her heart.
Such a simple wish had gone unfulfilled, despite two years of marriage. This time, with him by her side in Esterhall, she had hoped this trip might finally make it come true, offering a chance to make up for the regrets that had lingered in their relationship.
But everything had shifted, even their relationship.
Some changes were permanent, leaving nothing behind but regrets.
Without realizing it, she ended up at her old elementary school. The childhood snacks she remembered so fondly were no longer sold, a casualty of the rising prices.
She picked up a few fried skewers and, noticing the school bell would ring soon and the sun was beginning to set, she remembered her time in Foxfire and decided it was time to head home.
Elizabeth walked back into Wren’s apartment, greeted by the mouthwatering aromas of various dishes drifting up from downstairs. Someone was clearly cooking something spicy, the sharp scent of chili cutting through the other fragrances.
Feeling the pang of hunger herself, Elizabeth glanced at the fried skewers in her hand and considered whipping up some instant noodles to hold her over.
When she opened the door, the rich smell of food filled the air.
To her surprise, Elijah stepped out of the kitchen, his face flushed from the spicy fumes, coughing as he tried to catch his breath.
Elizabeth paused in the doorway, unsure of what to make of the situation. She had assumed, after their heated argument, that he would have gone to stay at a hotel. But here he was, not only home but cooking for her.
Elijah, still coughing, didn’t seem to notice her at all.
He was wearing an old apron from the apartment, and oddly enough, it suited him, giving off a casual, effortlessly stylish vibe.
Sometimes, it’s not the clothes that define the person; it’s the person who makes the clothes work.
Without the white shirt underneath, the apron alone would’ve been an irresistible temptation in the kitchen.
After a moment, Elijah managed to catch his breath and shot her a look of mild annoyance, his voice raspy. “Can you pass me a bottle of water?”
Snapping out of her thoughts, Elizabeth walked over to the box near the wall, grabbed a bottle of mineral water, and silently handed it to him.
He didn’t take the bottle. Instead, he nodded toward the glass bottle on the table. “I prefer that brand.”
“Fine, suit yourself,” Elizabeth said with impatience, shoving the bottle into his arms before turning away to change into her slippers.
Elijah paused, unscrewed the bottle, and drank more than half of it in one go.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, the curve of his throat oddly captivating. Elizabeth slipped on her slippers and walked straight into the bedroom.
Elijah watched her disappear into the bedroom, tightening the cap of the bottle with a sigh.
He had come back early from a disappointing project inspection and had initially gone to a hotel.
But for some reason, he couldn’t shake the restlessness, his thoughts constantly drifting to Elizabeth. Before he knew it, he was standing outside Wren’s apartment.
He took off the apron, ready to leave, but then hesitated. If he left now, it would make him seem like just a part-time cook.
With a sullen look on his face, he set the apron aside and went back to the kitchen to bring the dishes to the table.
Elizabeth changed into more comfortable clothes in the bedroom and sat on the bed, not quite ready to head out.
To her surprise, Elijah opened the door and leaned casually against the frame. “Dinner’s ready. Want me to bring it to you?”
“Got it. I’ll eat it in the dining room,” Elizabeth replied, pushing herself to get up and walk but.
On the table sat three dishes and a soup: spicy beef strips, garlic mashed potatoes, a cold okra salad, and creamy mushroom soup.
Elizabeth was taken aback. She had thought his cooking skills were maxed out with that last attempt at spaghetti, not realizing it was the lack of ingredients in her pantry that had restricted him.
She hadn’t expected Oliver to bring over so many supplies.
Once she sat down, Elijah pushed the spicy beef strips closer to her.
“Oliver brought a ton of chilies, so I just used them up. Took up too much space,” he said awkwardly.
Elizabeth loved spicy beef strips, and she could tell these were made just for her. She took a piece to try.
The timing and seasoning were perfect, the beef tender, and the chili full of flavor.
“This is amazing,” she said, praising him without hesitation.
Elijah’s eyes flickered with pride as he sampled a spoonful of mashed potatoes. “It’s not fully seasoned, and the ingredients were frozen, not fresh.”
Elizabeth picked up her fried skewers and, noticing the meal in front of her, offered him a fried sausage with a smile. “Want one? I got it from the stall near my old school.”
Elijah frowned. “Street food like that? It’s not hygienic.”
Elizabeth pulled her hand back, took a bite of the sausage, and shot back angrily, “But you had street food in Foxfire. What’s the problem now? Are you suddenly worried about cleanliness, or do you just think less of me?”
