With that, Noah quickened his pace toward the cabin.

Inside, the fire was roaring, and a wave of warmth washed over them.

Nicola was filled with curiosity about the new environment.

"Daddy, this house looks like a cabin from a fairy tale!" she exclaimed, running around the living room on the first floor.

"Do you like it, Nicola?" Noah asked with a smile.

"I love it,” Nicola nodded. "Daddy, are we staying here tonight?”

“Yes, you're staying here tonight with Mommy and Daddy,” Noah said, affectionately ruffling his daughter's hair.

Bennett and Yvonne, having seen their car arrive, came down from upstairs.

Yvonne was wearing a simple knit sweater and jeans, her long hair casually tied back in a ponytail. Her only accessory was a pair of pearl earrings.

Even so, she looked exceptionally fresh and beautiful, drawing everyone's attention.

Noah's gaze lingered on her for a moment with a hint of admiration before he shifted his focus to Bennett. "How long have you been here?"

"We just arrived," Bennett replied.

He then crouched down to look at Nicola, who was standing beside Noah. "Nicola, did you miss me? I brought you a present."

Bennett had chosen a limited-edition Barbie doll for Nicola.

However, the doll was currently in Yvonne's hands.

Nicola took the beautiful Barbie from Yvonne, then tilted her head up, looking at Yvonne with curiosity.

"Are you my uncle's girlfriend? You're so pretty."

"Thank you. You're very cute too, Nicola," Yvonne said, squatting down to be at eye level with her.

Nicola, perhaps a bit shy, scurried back to her mother's side, though she kept peeking at Yvonne with curious eyes.

Karina wrapped an arm around her daughter and looked at Yvonne with a haughty expression. "Nicola is a bit

sensit

Jones, please don't

frighten her."

The warm atmosphere instantly turned frosty with Karina's words.

The smile on Yvonne's face stiffened.

Noah frowned, his breath catching in his throat with frustration.

He couldn't reprimand his wife in front of Bennett and Yvonne, so he forced a smile and changed the subject.

"We're going to get settled upstairs We'll be down in a minute,"

said, taking Nicola's hand Woahnet

leading her up the stairs.

Karina followed behind, carrying her luggage.

Seeing this, Bennett stepped forward to help.

“I'll get that,” Bennett said, taking the suitcase from Karina.

"Thank you, Karina said without hesitation, handing the suitcase over She then clicked her way up, the wooden stairs in her high heels to catch up with Noah and their daughter.

"Oh, don't carry her on the stairs! What if you fall?”

Noah ignored her and carried their daughter straight into the room.

Nicola, too young to understand the tension between the adults, reached out her hands and chirped, "Mommy hold, Mommy hold."

Noah and his family went into their room. Bennett didn't follow, simply placing the suitcase by the door before turning to leave.