Chapter Seven

Later that afternoon, Kai personally drove Stephanie back to the villa.

The journey was quiet.

Neither of them spoke much, each lost in their own thoughts.

When the car stopped in front of the villa, Stephanie quickly unfastened her seatbelt.

"Thank you for lunch," she said politely before opening the door.

"It was my pleasure," Kai replied with a gentle smile.

She stepped out of the car and hurried toward the entrance.

After taking only a few steps, a familiar voice called after her.

"Stephanie..."

She stopped in her tracks.

Taking a slow breath, she turned around.

Kai had stepped out of the car but kept a respectful distance between them.

She forced a small smile.

"Is there something else... Mr. Kai?"

Kai smiled softly.

"You don't have to call me 'Mr. Kai.'"

She looked at him without saying a word.

"Just call me Kai."

He took two slow steps forward before stopping again, careful not to invade her personal space.

"I..."

For the first time in a long while, the confident superstar was at a loss for words.

He had imagined this moment countless times.

He wanted to apologize again.

He wanted to thank her.

He wanted to ask about the babies.

He wanted to tell her how happy he had been after learning she was carrying quadruplets.

But none of the words would come.

Stephanie waited patiently.

When the silence stretched on, she lowered her eyes.

"I'm sorry... Kai."

She offered him another polite smile.

"I should go."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and hurried into the villa.

Kai stood there watching until the front door closed behind her.

A quiet sigh escaped his lips.

"I guess... I'm still the last person she wants to see."

Ken, who had been sitting in the front passenger seat, looked at him through the rearview mirror.

"Don't lose hope, sir."

Kai gave a faint smile.

"I'm not."

He looked toward the villa one last time.

"I'll wait until she's ready."

He got back into the car.

"Let's go."

The driver started the engine, and the black SUV slowly disappeared down the road.

Inside the villa...

Stephanie rushed upstairs without saying a word to anyone.

She entered her bedroom and gently closed the door behind her.

Leaning against it, she pressed a trembling hand against her chest.

Her heart was beating uncontrollably.

She closed her eyes.

"Why does seeing him make me so nervous?"

She had promised herself she would never get close to him.

Yet after today's lunch, she couldn't deny one thing.

Kai Ray wasn't the arrogant celebrity she had imagined.

He had been gentle.

Respectful.

Patient.

He never crossed the boundaries she had set.

That somehow frightened her even more.

She placed a hand on her stomach.

"This changes nothing," she whispered to herself.

"Our relationship begins and ends with these babies."

Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself away from the door.

"I can't let my heart get involved."

With that, she walked into the bathroom to freshen up, hoping the cold water would calm the storm inside her.

Meanwhile...

At one of the city's most exclusive pubs...

Soft music echoed through the luxurious lounge as elegantly dressed guests enjoyed expensive wine and lively conversations.

Seated in a private VIP section were three stunning young women.

Each of them was a well-known celebrity.

Emma let out an irritated sigh before taking a sip of her cocktail.

"I honestly don't know what else to do."

Her friends looked at her.

"I've tried everything to make Kai notice me."

She frowned.

"But he won't even spare me a second glance."

Tracy laughed softly.

"Come on, Emma."

"You know Kai Ray isn't an easy man to impress."

Emma rested her chin on her palm.

"That's exactly why I want him."

She sighed dreamily.

"A man like him is almost impossible to find."

"Handsome."

"Rich."

"Talented."

"And despite women throwing themselves at him every day..."

"He never takes advantage of anyone."

She shook her head.

"I can't believe men like him still exist."

Lena smiled knowingly.

"And don't forget..."

"He's still single."

Emma's eyes sparkled.

"Exactly!"

"He's not married."

"He doesn't have a girlfriend."

"So technically..."

She smiled confidently.

"...he's still available."

Tracy laughed.

"You're the governor's daughter."

"And one of the country's biggest actresses."

"You've starred alongside him in several blockbuster movies."

"If anyone has a chance with him..."

She pointed at Emma.

"...it's you."

Emma smiled proudly.

"You really think so?"

"I know so," Tracy replied.

"You just need to keep showing up."

"Attend the same events."

"Accept projects with him."

"Eventually, he'll notice you."

Lena nodded in agreement.

"No man could ignore someone as beautiful as you forever."

Emma raised her wine glass with renewed confidence.

"Then I won't give up."

She smiled to herself.

"Sooner or later..."

"Kai Ray will become mine."

---

The following morning, Stephanie woke to a wave of nausea.

She slowly opened her eyes and immediately covered her mouth as her stomach churned violently.

Every part of her body felt weak and exhausted, making it difficult for her to even sit up.

She let out a soft groan.

"I feel terrible..."

Just then, a gentle knock sounded on the bedroom door.

Knock... knock...

"Miss Stephanie?" Mrs. Linda called from outside.

Receiving no response, she carefully opened the door and stepped inside.

The moment she saw Stephanie lying helplessly on the bed, concern filled her face.

"Oh, my dear."

She hurried to the bedside and gently placed the back of her hand against Stephanie's forehead.

"Miss Stephanie..."

Stephanie slowly opened her eyes.

"Mrs. Linda..." she whispered weakly.

Mrs. Linda smiled kindly.

"It's your morning sickness again, isn't it?"

Stephanie nodded faintly.

"I don't even have the strength to get out of bed."

Mrs. Linda gently squeezed her hand.

"Don't worry. I'll be right back."

Within a few minutes, she returned carrying a tray with a steaming mug of freshly brewed ginger tea and a plate of plain crackers.

She carefully helped Stephanie sit up, supporting her back with extra pillows.

"Here," Mrs. Linda said softly, handing her the mug. "Drink this slowly. The ginger should help settle your stomach."

Stephanie wrapped both hands around the warm mug before taking a cautious sip.

The warmth spread through her body almost instantly.

"It tastes nice," she murmured.

Mrs. Linda smiled.

"Good."

She then handed her a few crackers.

"Try eating these as well. An empty stomach often makes morning sickness worse."

Stephanie nodded and slowly nibbled on one.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Linda walked toward the bathroom.

"I'll prepare a warm bath for you. It should help you feel more comfortable."

"Thank you, Mrs. Linda."

"My pleasure, dear."

A few hours later...

Stephanie was resting comfortably on her bed after taking her bath.

Nurse Evelyn sat beside her, carefully checking her blood pressure and listening to the babies' heartbeats with a fetal Doppler.

The tiny rhythmic sounds filled the quiet room.

Stephanie smiled faintly.

"They're very active today."

Nurse Evelyn chuckled.

"That's a wonderful sign."

Standing nearby were Mrs. Linda, Grace, Chef Daniel, and the rest of the household staff.

All of them watched with worried expressions.

Grace leaned closer to Mrs. Linda and whispered,

"Will Miss Stephanie be alright?"

Mrs. Linda smiled reassuringly.

"Of course."

"Morning sickness is very common, especially during pregnancy."

Chef Daniel looked at Stephanie with concern.

"But she looks so weak."

"She's carrying four babies," Mrs. Linda replied softly. "Her body is working much harder than most expectant mothers'."

Grace sighed.

"She must be going through so much."

Nurse Evelyn finished her examination before looking up with a reassuring smile.

"Everything looks good."

Everyone immediately turned toward her.

"The babies' heartbeats are strong, and Miss Stephanie's vital signs are stable."

The room visibly relaxed.

"She simply needs plenty of rest, nutritious meals, and to stay hydrated."

Mrs. Linda smiled.

"Thank goodness."

Nurse Evelyn looked at Stephanie warmly.

"Growing four healthy babies isn't easy."

Stephanie smiled weakly.

"I can certainly feel that."

Everyone laughed softly, easing the tension in the room.

Mrs. Linda gently adjusted Stephanie's blanket.

"You don't have to worry about anything, Miss Stephanie."

"We'll all take good care of you."

Stephanie looked around at the caring faces surrounding her.

For someone who had once believed she would spend her life alone, she suddenly realized she wasn't alone anymore.

Perhaps... this villa had become more than just a place to stay.

Little by little, it was beginning to feel like home.