MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

Finally, Dylan said dryly, "getting the diploma is a big deal. How can you not let your mom go?"

Savannah felt frustrated and disappointed for a moment, but she kept her spirits up and patted Kaiden's head as if nothing happened.

"I will come back as soon as possible after the thesis defense, and I will bring you some gifts."

Then she turned to old Sterling, "Sir, I'm sorry, but I must hurry, I have to make some preparations first."

With that, she went upstairs.

Old Sterling looked at Savannah's back and frowned at Dylan. He was about to say something when Dylan put down the silverware and stood up.

"Enjoy your food," he sounded a little tired. Then he left the table too.

The frown on old Sterling's face was deepening to a scowl. It was clear that his son still had feelings for Savannah, though he didn't remember her at the moment.

Unfortunately, he didn't seem to understand his own mind.

* * *

The luggage was quickly packed, and the visa was ready.

Savannah would fly to Italy on Sunday at the end of the month so that Kaiden would be able to see her off at the airport.

The night before departure, Savannah tossed and turned and couldn't sleep.

It was late at night. In order not to oversleep in the morning, she went downstairs to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of hot milk.

Walking out of the kitchen with the cup in her hand, she saw a tall figure standing against the dim light. She couldn't see his face.

Startled, she tripped and nearly spilled the milk in her hand.

The man in front of her grabbed her wrist in time with one hand and stretched out the other to hold the cup, putting it on the wine cabinet next to them.

She stumbled into his arms and immediately smelled his familiar smell. Looking up, she saw his face clearly under the faint moonlight. Her eyes met his, and she quickly pulled out her hand, taking two steps back.

They hadn't spoken to each other since she decided to go back to Italy to get her diploma.

They just passed by when they met in the house.

She felt indescribably awkward being so close to him on the night before leaving.

She didn't know what to say to him. She wanted to go upstairs, but to tell the truth, she didn't want to part with him.

When the sun rose tomorrow, she would leave and couldn't see him for a month.

"Can't sleep?" Dylan glanced at the milk, then at the little woman in her nightgown.

"Hmm," she lowered her eyes.

After a moment of hesitation, he took the cup of milk in one hand, grabbed her by the wrist, and led her upstairs.

Savannah, surprised at first, followed him nervously into the study on the second floor.

He sat her down on a single large sofa and turned on the stereo. The study was filled with warm and soft music.

"Drink the milk, close your eyes, and have a good rest." Dylan handed her the cup of milk.

"The music..." Savannah was quite subdued.

"When I was in NY for treatment, I sometimes suffered from insomnia due to the side effects of the treatment. Sometimes I kept my eyes open until dawn. Milk alone won't solve the problem. My therapist introduced the music for me, and it's an effective way for insomnia." Dylan explained patiently.

Savannah bit her lip.

Why was he so good to her when she almost gave up?

She pursed her lips and said deliberately, "Actually... It doesn't matter. I'll sleep on the plane..."

At this point, she still wondered if he really didn't mind her leaving for Italy alone for so long.

"It takes more than ten hours to Milan. Sleeping on a plane is not as comfortable as sleeping in a bed at home, and it's hard to get over the jet lag." His eyes darkened a little, and his voice was still cool.

Savannah drooped her head and made no reply. He didn't ask her to stay or offered to escort her to Italy...

He was so gentle to her tonight just to ensure she would leave smoothly tomorrow.

She took the milk and swallowed it down. Then she lay down on the sofa and shut her eyes.

Maybe it was the soft music that really worked, she fell asleep soon.

Dylan was supposed to carry her back to her bedroom, but somehow, he didn't move for a long time. He stared at the sleeping woman quietly.

It was at least a month before he saw her again.

Why?

He should have nothing to do with the little woman's departure, but why had he been restless since she said she was going to be away for a month?

He was irritable and bothered, especially on the eve of her departure.

He gazed at her for a long time, and as the night grew darker and deeper, he finally restrained himself and picked her up gently, carrying her back to her bedroom.

* * *

Early that morning, after Savannah said goodbye to old Sterling, Dylan drove her to the airport with Kaiden.

Kaiden had promised that he would be good and wait for Savannah to come back. But when Savannah was about to board the plane, he began to cry.

"Mommy, take me with you! Don't leave me here..."

Savannah stooped down and hugged Kaiden.

"Be good," she said softly, "you have to go to kindergarten, or your little friends won't play with you. Mommy will call you every day, okay?"

Kaiden had to hold back his tears and nodded.

Savannah straightened up and looked at Dylan. "Please take care of Kaiden. I have to go."

"Bon voyage," Dylan said quietly.

His simple two words, however, made Savannah very uncomfortable, as if he was driving her away. She waved at Kaiden and walked to the gate.

Dylan watched her back, clenching his hands.

Kaiden, who had been held by his father, could feel the sweat and heat in his palms. He looked up at his daddy, a little confused.

Obviously, daddy cut his heart to let mommy leave, but why didn't he ask her to stay or accompany her to Italy?

***

Milan, Italy

It was morning local time when the plane landed.