Chapter 441

Adrian had everything a man could desire, yet the absence of spontaneous gestures from his wife gnawed at him.

The thought festered in his mind like an unscratchable itch.

Vivian emerged from the ensuite in oversized pajamas that swallowed her frame, damp curls escaping her towel turban. The sight inexplicably irritated him further.

"Have you ever considered giving me presents?" The question tumbled out sharper than intended.

Vivian blinked, squeezing water from her hair. "What sort of presents?"

"Any." Adrian crossed his arms. "Surprise ones."

Her fingers stilled in her dark tresses. "I have," she countered automatically.

Moonlight caught the blue-black sheen of her hair as it cascaded over her shoulders. Adrian's breath hitched - she looked like a watercolor painting come to life.

The tension in his shoulders dissolved as realization dawned. He schooled his features into neutrality, though mischief danced in his gaze. "Don't tell me you're the gift?"

Vivian rolled her eyes so hard it nearly hurt. "Are we in some low-budget rom-com now? A genius with a 140 IQ spouting clichés? Should I check you for fever?"

She snatched the emerald frog plush from the nightstand and lobbed it at him. "There. Your gift."

Adrian caught it one-handed, then extended his palm. "The pen."

"What pen?" Vivian tilted her head.

"The free one you got when buying Julian's birthday present." His jaw tightened. "The one I refused."

"You specifically said—"

"I changed my mind." His tone brooked no argument.

Vivian crossed her arms. "I need it for script notes."

Adrian considered this. "Fine. I'll buy you that limited edition Sterling & Co fountain pen in exchange."

Her lips twitched. With their reconciliation, spending millions on writing tools seemed absurd. A slow smile spread across her face that made Adrian instantly wary.

She perched on the bed, fingers brushing his forearm. "Counteroffer - you buy me an equivalent pen..." Her voice turned saccharine. "And give me the remaining nine million in cash."

Adrian's mouth opened, then snapped shut.

The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken negotiations.