The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 548

Joseph chuckled. He casually tossed his laptop and coat onto the nearby sofa, and as his arm returned, it slid naturally around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

He didn't rush to answer. Instead, he leaned down and claimed her lips in a lingering kiss.

"Someone's in a good mood. So playful, trying to ambush me."

Vivica flushed, entirely flustered by his teasing.

She didn't even know what had possessed her in that moment, or why she had suddenly decided to hide behind the door like a mischievous teenager.

"I... I just thought you've been working so hard lately. I wanted to surprise you and lighten the mood."

Instead, she had almost face-planted into the floor.

Joseph's smile deepened. "Work is exhausting, sure. But coming home to find you and Chaim here, safe and perfectly at peace... it makes all the exhaustion disappear."

Vivica rested her hands on his shoulders, sliding her arms up to lock behind his neck as she gave him a sweet, melting smile.

"Good to know Chaim and I have such magical powers."

Without warning, Joseph bent his knees and scooped her up into his arms.

Startled, she gasped, "What are you doing?"

He didn't answer. He simply carried her the few steps to the sofa and sat down, settling her securely sideways across his lap. Her arms remained draped around his neck.

Joseph loved these quiet, stolen moments holding her like this.

The intimate proximity bred a deep, intoxicating sense of warmth and happiness between them.

"Did you have fun catching up with your friend this afternoon?"

Before heading out earlier, Vivica had texted him to let him know her plans.

Ever since her car accident proved how unpredictable danger could be, she always made a point to inform him. It kept Sheridan and Melanie from worrying, and gave her husband peace of mind. If anything were to happen, they would know exactly where she was.

"Hanging out with her is always fun. But I didn't leave until four, and I was back a little after five, so we didn't have much time."

They chatted idly, enjoying the domestic comfort.

Thinking of Loretta, Vivica's expression shifted into a slight hesitation. She met his gaze.

"Actually, I bumped into Loretta. What are the odds?"

Joseph's face immediately hardened. "Did she try anything?"

"No. When I saw her in the mall, she was with some guy. We just crossed paths, and they left."

Surprised, his brow arched. "That's it?"

"Not quite," she continued. "After Quintina and I went our separate ways, I was waiting for the driver with Chaim on the curb, and Loretta approached me alone."

"Hah. There's her true nature."

A person as narrow-minded, paranoid, and fiercely jealous as her would never walk away from someone she despised.

People like that were like rabid dogs—it would be weirder if they didn't bite.

Vivica believed that true intimacy meant total honesty, keeping no secrets.

He clearly hated the idea, yet he was trying so hard to play the magnanimous, understanding husband.

A laugh bubbled up her throat as she gave him a firm answer. "No need. The thought never even crossed my mind."

"Good. Then you really don't love him anymore."

"Love?" Vivica arched an eyebrow, as if he had just told a terrible joke.

What was there to love about a man like Fletcher?

Besides, the man currently holding her was the pinnacle of perfection in every conceivable way.

"I don't have enough love to hand out freely. I only have room in my heart for one person at a time."

Without realizing it, she was confessing her feelings all over again.

Joseph's eyes darkened as he noted the shy blush creeping up her cheeks. He leaned his handsome face in, hovering mere inches from her lips. "And who is that person you love?" he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

"You, obviously."

Before he could finish the gap between them, she angled her face and eagerly closed the distance, initiating the kiss.

They both smiled against each other's lips, entirely swept away by the intoxicating warmth.

As they lost themselves in the kiss, the little boy sleeping on the bed behind them rolled over in his sweet dreams, falling even deeper into slumber.

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Meanwhile, Joseph was covertly teaming up with Raymond to dig up every single crime the Chase brothers had committed. He hadn't breathed a word of this to Vivica.