Page 48 of Code of Heart

That smile alone could’ve convinced him to walk through the fires of hell for her. He let out a shaky breath and followed.

Inside, as he suspected, there was no restaurant, only a reception desk and an elevator. Aurelia, however, didn’t pause as she bypassed the attendant with confidence and stepped into the elevator. Levi followed without hesitation.

What waited for them below was unexpected magic.

Moonlit Bunswas a hidden gem beneath the city, elegant and warm in all the waysChez P’tit Chou-Fleurwasn’t. The ceilings were draped in ornate dark wooden latticework, casting shadows through hanging lanterns in deep amber and soft crimson. Private tables were separated by intricately carved screens that offered privacy without shutting the world out.

The ambiance was still romantic, but this time, relaxed. Unpretentious.

This was the kind of place she had meant. The kind of placehehad wanted, too. He hadn’t executed it well at all.

As they sat, Aurelia took the lead, scanning the menu with bright eyes and a playful gleam that made Levi smile before she even said a word. He could stare at her all night and never tire of it.

“Does my husband trust me to order for us, or do you want an equal say in this decision?” she teased, pen in hand, and oblivious to Levi’s attention.

This version of Aurelia—loose, playful, teasing—was rapidly becoming his favorite.

He grinned. “The last two weeks have been full of risks. What’s one more?”

“Good answer from a smart man. Happy wife, happy life,” she chirped as she began checking off boxes on the order sheet. “We’re getting Kurobuta pork soup dumplings, chicken dumplings, wonton soup, stir-fried bok choy, veggie fried rice...and for fun, two milk teas and chocolate mochi buns to finish.”

Levi stared at her, amused and impressed.

“What?” she asked, suddenly self-conscious. “I’m hungry. And it’s notthatmuch. The portions are small!”

“I trust you,” he said simply. The blush that crept up her cheeks was as delectable as her food selections.

After their order was placed, silence briefly returned. Then, in a move that surprised neither of them at this point, Aurelia cut straight to the chase.

“So…whose house are we living in?”

No warm-up before a direct hit.

He shrugged nonchalantly. “We can stay at mine. It’s...larger than I need. More than enough space for your things.”

She tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief, as she smiled widely. “Define ‘larger than I need.’ Because based on the pompous car you drove, the ultra-fancy restaurant, the tailored designer suit, and the custom rings now weighing down my finger, I’m guessing that being understated is kind of your thing.”

While her tone was teasing and playful, Levi’s face hardened. “Mypompouscar?” he echoed. “I bought that car after my company went public. It was the first thing I let myself splurge on after years of sacrifice. Iearnedit.”

Her grin faltered. “Levi, I was kidding—”

He didn’t let her finish.

“So, what then?” he asked, irritation rising in his voice. “If my houseisas big and lavish as you think, what does that say to you? That I’m some show-off? That I throw money around to prove my worth? That I’m just another flashy asshole in a suit?”

Confusion flickered across her face, quickly giving way to discomfort. She raised her hands between them, a gentle but firm barrier. “No—that’s not what I meant. I wasn’t—” Her voice wavered, the words tripping over rising alarm.

But he was already too far in.

“If I really cared about all that, Aurelia, I would have married one of the women who’ve been trying to crawl into my life for a cut of the profits. Trust me, there were plenty of options.”

Around them, conversation at nearby tables quieted. Conversations stalled. The mood at their table had shifted incredibly fast.

He leaned forward, lowering his voice, but not the weight behind it.

“That’s twice today.Twice, you’ve made assumptions about me without trying to understand who I actually am. And both times, you’ve made me feel like a walking stereotype.”

The silence that followed was deafening.