Liza recounted the entire incident to Helen, her tone laced with frustration. “I just thought it was a perfect day to enjoy the water. He even gave me a bathing suit! It’s a little revealing, sure, but it’s really quite pretty.” Helen, in the middle of sipping her coffee, nearly choked. She spat out the coffee in surprise, some of it landing on Qin An, who slammed the table in irritation. Wiping her mouth hastily, Helen lowered her voice and asked urgently, “Wait, Liza, did you just say that the bathing suit Gavin gave you is… revealing?” Liza, still wearing the swimsuit, walked to the bathroom and glanced at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she inspected the outfit. “Who would’ve thought Gavin could be so… brazen? I mean, he gave me this skimpy outfit!” Helen dabbed at her mouth with a tissue and sighed knowingly. “Liza, have you considered that maybe Gavin didn’t want you swimming because he was jealous?” Liza blinked in confusion. “Jealous? What are you talking about?” Helen explained patiently, “You’re wearing a revealing bathing suit. Of course, he doesn’t want anyone else to see you like that! Men are all the same. Seeing you so close to Henry probably drove him crazy. And with how little you’re wearing, do you think he’d be okay with other men ogling you?” Liza’s irritation softened slightly, but she still felt a tinge of annoyance. She picked up a strawberry from the table and bit into it, but as usual, it tasted like nothing. Only by kissing Gavin could she restore her taste buds, but that solution was starting to feel like a hassle. Helen heard her munching and asked curiously, “Wait, are you eating? Did your taste buds recover?” Liza glanced at the strawberry in her hand, her thoughts drifting. Before meeting Gavin, she rarely snacked because eating felt like a chore—just a way to stave off hunger since she couldn’t taste anything. But now, with Gavin around, snacks and fruits often appeared in her room, and the dining table was always overflowing with delicious options. This change was entirely thanks to him. Whenever she wanted to savor the flavors, she’d find Gavin, kiss him to restore her taste buds temporarily, and then return to indulge. But how could she possibly tell Helen this? Noticing Liza’s silence, Helen pressed, “Liza, are you listening? Did Gavin help you recover your taste buds?” Liza’s face flushed a deep red. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to explain the truth about how she temporarily regained her sense of taste. The other end of the line went completely silent, the air seemingly frozen. When Helen finally spoke, her voice was filled with incredulity and excitement. “Liza, are you telling me that kissing Gavin briefly restores your taste buds? Then why don’t you want to recover them permanently?”Liza’s voice faltered as she quickly replied, “Of course I want to, but—” “I have an idea.” Helen’s tone turned mischievous. “There’s something you could try that might restore your taste buds permanently.” Liza straightened, her curiosity piqued. “What is it?” Helen chuckled lightly before dropping the bombshell. “You might just recover after you sleep with him.” Liza froze in place, her entire face burning crimson. “Sister Helen! You—!” The suggestion left her utterly speechless. Sleep with Gavin? As night enveloped the room, Liza lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to calm her racing thoughts. Helen’s words echoed relentlessly in her mind. Sleep with him! Her cheeks flushed at the memory of the suggestion, and her heart thudded wildly. Just then, the sound of steady footsteps approached from outside her door. Gavin was coming. Her body tensed as the door opened, and Gavin stepped inside, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Why is Mrs. Stone lying on my bed instead of going back to her room?” His voice was teasing, yet it carried a hint of warmth. Liza felt a jolt of nervous energy rush through her, her heart skipping a beat. She smiled mischievously, masking her inner turmoil. Wrapped tightly in the blanket, she lay motionless, enveloped by his familiar scent. The subtle, enticing aroma sent a wave of heat coursing through her veins, her palms damp with nervous sweat. Should I be bold or reserved? she wondered, her thoughts warring. Helen’s advice lingered, emboldening her slightly. This wasn’t just about desire—it was about hope. Her grandfather and brothers had tried countless treatments to restore her taste buds, but all had failed. She had resigned herself to a life without flavor. Yet, Gavin had changed that. His kiss was the only thing that temporarily restored her ability to taste. It was more than coincidence; it felt like fate. If a kiss could grant her a fleeting return of flavor, what could happen if they went further? The thought made her heart race. Would it extend the time? Would it fix her condition permanently? A soft blush spread across her face as she considered the idea. We’re married. This is normal, right? Summoning her courage, Liza slowly turned, her movements deliberate. With trembling hands, she lifted the edge of the blanket, exposing her delicate face and the vulnerability in her gaze. Gavin froze, his playful expression replaced by a stunned stillness. His body tensed as his eyes locked onto hers, an unreadable intensity flickering in his gaze.