After ending the call, Poe Vaughn set down his phone. He didn’t immediately leave the room, but stood there looking at the city, the night, his eyes deep and intense. After some time, he turned around and left the bedroom. The living room was brightly lit, and the figures on the TV continued to play, the volume at just one bar, completely unobtrusive. And at this moment, a figure was nestled on the sofa, legs curled up on the sofa, seated with her backside, leaning against the sofa back, as if sitting against a wall, particularly relaxed and at ease. She held a book in her hand, reading intently, her long hair cascading behind her, quite startling from behind. The thickness and length of her black hair covered her face, especially as she wore a white shirt tonight, now enveloped by the silence of the night. This scene was not particularly attractive. However, from Poe Vaughn’s perspective, the scene was different. He looked at the person nestled in the sofa reading a book. From his height, he could clearly see her head, her brow, her focused and attentive expression. She hadn’t heard him come out at all. With a slight movement of his thumb, the intensity in his eyes faded, returning to normal, and he stepped forward. Ava Sterling was absorbed in her book, unaffected by the TV, completely immersed in the story, detached from everything around her. She sat there, in the quiet of the night, letting her thoughts wander with the plot. But then, the sofa beside her suddenly sunk, pulling Ava Sterling’s focus out just a bit. Ava Sterling frowned in displeasure, instinctively looking to her side. Suddenly, she was stunned. Poe Vaughn had sat down beside her and opened his arms, pulling her onto his lap. Is he coming on to her? But she didn’t want that. Ava looked at Poe Vaughn, observing his face, his eyes, finding no hint of desire, as if he wasn’t intending to do anything like that. She felt a sudden joy, and quickly said: "Honey, let me tell you, this is the book I want to adapt into a TV show. I think it’s really good. Do you want to read it?" Ava was eager, bringing the book up to Poe Vaughn, her eyes shining, full of an urge to share. At the same time, also with a purpose to avoid something. Poe Vaughn saw her blatant objective and said, "Read it out loud to me." But quickly, she was overjoyed! "I’ll read it to you!" Ava furrowed her brow, seemingly troubled by something she thought of. Poe Vaughn saw her playing the obvious little game, wrapped an arm around her waist, rubbing his thumb against her waistline: "But what?" He seemed exceptionally patient tonight, as if he would agree to whatever she asked. Ava’s mind was indeed scheming. Since Poe had not read this book, if she were to read it aloud to him, she would have to start from the beginning. But she had already read the earlier parts; there was no need to waste time on them again. So, she wanted to read to Poe from where she was currently reading. However, if she did that, Poe would find himself lost. Thus, she thought to first tell Poe about the parts she had already read, and then read to him from where she was currently at. That way, she would be reading to him and catching up on her book at the same time. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone? Upon hearing Poe’s question, Ava was straightforward, immediately saying: "I’ve already read quite a bit. It would be boring to read it all again. I’ll summarize what I finished reading and then read the part I’m at to you. How about it?" She looked at Poe Vaughn, her eyes bright and full of hope and plea. She wanted him to agree. If he agreed, she would be very happy! Poe Vaughn looked at the anticipation and yearning in her eyes, with not a hint concealed, and he made a low hum in his throat without speaking. Hearing this, Ava Sterling instantly beamed, wrapping her arms around Poe Vaughn and giving him a peck on the lips, elated: "You’re the best, hubby!" When coaxing Poe Vaughn, it’s "hubby" before and after; when not coaxing, she directly calls him by his full name. Ava Sterling showcased this reality to the fullest in front of Poe Vaughn. But, Poe Vaughn would indulge her without the slightest difficulty. The soft sensation on his lips was like tasting sugar, a hint of sweetness spreading through his body, melting into his bones. At this moment, he was more relaxed than ever. Soon, Ava started summarizing the story’s plot to Poe Vaughn and continued to read from the part she was on. Poe Vaughn listened, initially watching her, her earnest expression. Gradually, he closed his eyes. What is home? He never knew. Google seaʀᴄh novel✦fire.net Without a father, without a mother, only a grandmother by his side, the concept of home was very vague to him, without form. As a child, there was envy, curiosity, but as he grew older, those emotions faded. Life is inherently full of haves and have-nots, as it should be. He did not see anything worth being sad or heartbroken over. He was extremely satisfied with everything he had now, without feeling wronged or regretting anything. But since he had someone beside him, someone who said one thing to his face and another behind his back, always saying sweet words to coax him, the shape of home gradually appeared in front of him. He wanted to see her at home when he returned; when at home, he wanted to hear her voice; with her beside him, he wanted to listen to her speak. No longer did he love silence, but began to enjoy noise. Especially where she was. He thought, home is where there is such a person, someone to be concerned about, to like, to think of, to miss. No longer was the space behind empty. The night quieted, and the light in the living room also took on tranquility. Ava Sterling held the book, reading from it, her expressions changing with the narrative’s twists. It was quite an amusing sight. Poe Vaughn’s eyes opened; he reclined against the backrest, watching her at times serious, at times displeased, at times joyful demeanor, the depth in his eyes softened. At this moment, the light cast stars into his eyes. The night gradually deepened... Meanwhile, at the Rhodes Family. Ronia Ackerly sat on the sofa in Aria Rhodes’ bedroom, holding Aria’s hand, and they were engaged in a mother-daughter conversation. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and a servant’s voice was heard. "Madam, your phone is ringing." The phone kept vibrating, and the music didn’t stop, along with the servant’s words, entering the bedroom, reaching their ears. The conversation between Ronia and Aria was interrupted, and Ronia frowned: "At this hour, why a call now?" Ronia frowned and looked out at the night through the window, a bit displeased. Aria Rhodes smiled obediently: "It’s probably Dad." Upon hearing those words, Ronia’s expression immediately brightened. With Aria’s return, Hayden Rhodes also came home. And as her daughter advised not to mention her brother in front of Dad yet, to wait a while longer, she refrained from bringing it up. Not bringing it up avoided any arguments with Hayden Rhodes. She naturally felt better, but there was always the concern, thinking when to bring it up once Hayden’s mood fully settled. Seeing Ronia’s expression improve, Aria called out to the door: "Bring it in." The servant opened the door and handed the phone to Ronia. Ronia took it, and upon seeing the caller, her eyes brightened, saying: "It’s Julian!"