In the quiet evening, Leopold invited Aurelia and the kids to Stirling Mansion for dinner. The ranch had just delivered a fresh batch of prime lamb, and the chef was making a sumptuous roast lamb leg that promised to tantalize their taste buds.
As they were halfway through their meal, Arnold's face popped up on a video call.
He had safely reached the Arctic research station, and, as luck would have it, the northern lights were ablaze in the sky.
“Aurelia, William, look at the aurora!”
“Wow!” Aurelia and William's eyes widened in awe.
Skyler and Kane hurried over, too.
“The aurora is so beautiful!”
Ever the thoughtful woman, Aurelia fretted over Arnold being outside in the cold for too long. “Arnold, please go inside before you catch a chill. It’s freezing out there.”
Arnold moved indoors, shedding his bulky down jacket.
“Have you had dinner?”
Aurelia offered a warm smile. “We’re in the middle of ours. How about you?”
“I’ve just finished.” Arnold showed them around his quarters. "I've only just arrived and I'm already missing both you and William."
“Daddy, I miss you, too. Come back soon after you finish your work.”
William longed for his father's return.
“Aurelia, please take care,” Arnold reminded her, a tender smile softening his features. He was always jetting off to dangerous locations for his photography, and while she worried incessantly, she understood it was his passion and profession. As his confidant and family, she had to support him.
“Don’t worry. I always carry the cross you gave me,” he assured gently.
After a long chat and a heart-to-heart, Aurelia and William made finger hearts to Arnold before ending the call.
Sitting across the table with a face as dark as a storm cloud, Leopold couldn't believe it. There Aurelia was, openly flirting with another man right before him, even making a finger heart!
She had never made a finger heart to him.
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