He was really good at this. Seriously good.

If the roles were reversed, she would probably end up with a sliced finger and oil stains on the ceiling.

Had he seen Rosanna cook this before? Was that why it seemed so effortless to him?

The smile on her lips dimmed at the thought. Truth was, she often felt lacking—as a wife, as a partner. Quick to jealousy, slow to introspection.

If she truly wanted to be loved deeply, perhaps it required more than just waiting for him to come around and coax her out of her moods. She needed to show she cared in her own way.

Perhaps... she should learn how to cook too. Just once—to prepare something delicious for him.

Twenty minutes Later, Lyndon wiped his hands on a towel and turned around with a satisfied grin. "Come and try this."

He poured a rich, tangy sauce—deep red and thick with tomato paste-over the sizzling pork.

The aroma filled the room, sweet and sour with a mouthwatering sharpness.

Tilda inhaled deeply, already knowing it would taste as good as it looked.

She stepped forward, picked up a fork, and speared a piece.

The meat disappeared into her mouth, and her eyes widened almost instantly.

Delicious. Perfectly balanced. Tender. Bold. "Tasty." This time, she didn't hold back her praise.

Lyndon raised an eyebrow and smiled. "It's not easy to earn a compliment from you."

She ignored the teasing and scooped up another piece, this time holding it out to him. "Here. Try your own masterpiece."

He leaned in with a smile and bit down.

The meat was still piping hot, and he inhaled sharply, fanning his mouth with his hand.

Tilda's gaze drifted to his wrist—and froze. A blister had bloomed just above his hand.

Had he gotten burned while cooking?

She dropped the fork, brows knitting. "Let me take a look. Did you get burned?"

Lyndon looked at her hand now curled around his, and shrugged lightly. "Yeah, first-time cook problems. The oil got feisty. I guess I am not the genius I thought I was.

Tilda took his hand and led him to his office.

"Compared to most, you are already doing incredible," she said.

Lyndon studied her with a playful glint. "So, I am not that hopeless in the kitchen?"