Chapter 139

The warmth from the heater fogged up the floor-to-ceiling windows. Tessa pressed her palms against the glass, leaving faint handprints behind. ... In the afterglow, Tessa's body felt sore and completely drained. She whispered, "Thank you, Stephen." Stephen scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward the bathroom. "What are you thanking me for?" Tessa gently bit her lower lip. "For always being there for me, for loving only me, and for giving me a love I never imagined I'd find." Stephen had never once hesitated to take her side, even when it meant standing against Jacqueline or Rowena. Tessa's heartfelt confession gave the moment a tender, emotional weight. "Stephen, you know what? You're really nothing like Zachary." Stephen didn't get angry at her mention of Zachary. His voice remained calm as he asked, "How so?" By now, they were already in the bathroom. The heater was on in there too, keeping the winter chill away from the ceramic tub. Stephen set her down gently in