Chapter 581 Typical Ways Married Couples Relate to Each Other
Realizing it was almost time for the children's dismissal, Yvette changed her clothes and prepared to head out.
The temperature had dropped again outside. As she removed her slippers to put on her shoes, she suddenly remembered forgetting her scarf and hurried back to the bedroom to retrieve it.
In her haste, she forgot to slip her slippers back on and ran upstairs barefoot. When she returned to the entryway, the door was being pulled open from the outside. Albert's deep gaze immediately caught her standing there with bare feet.
Albert's brow furrowed. "Why aren't you wearing shoes?"
"I just ran up to grab my scarf," Yvette explained, jogging to the door. "It's not cold—we have heating, so I won't catch a chill."
"You should still wear shoes," Albert insisted firmly.
Yvette lifted her foot slightly to show him. "Really, it's not cold. My socks are quite thick today."
Before she could finish speaking, Albert's large hand reached out, taking her foot in his palm to check its temperature. It was indeed warm enough.
His unexpected gesture caught Yvette off guard. She instinctively tried to withdraw her foot, but Albert had already knelt down, picked up the shoes she'd left aside, and quickly slipped them onto her feet.
Surprise flashed across Yvette's face, her cheeks warming slightly. Was this how normal married couples interacted? She felt momentarily disoriented by the tenderness.
After fitting her shoes, Albert gently patted her shoulder. "There you go. Remember to wear shoes next time, alright?" His deep voice carried a subtle affection that only increased Yvette's self-consciousness.
She nodded. "I will."
Albert looked at her with satisfaction, pleased by her sudden compliance.
As Yvette lowered her foot, she felt a strange softness beneath it, still adjusting to the sensation.
Noticing her discomfort, Albert's lips curved into a slight smile. "It seems I haven't been doing this often enough."
Yvette blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Just helping you with your shoes," Albert replied, his gaze meaningful. "I'll do these things more often in the future. Hopefully, you'll get used to it soon."
"What?"
Seeing her growing embarrassment, Albert chuckled softly and playfully reached for her ankle again.
Yvette laughed, instinctively stepping back. "Alright, I'll adjust gradually—no need to put them on for me every day!"
Albert wrapped an arm around her, smiling. "Going to pick up BoBo and CiCi?"
"Yes, they're about to be dismissed. I'm heading out now."
Albert glanced at his watch, hesitating. "I was planning to join you."
"Would you like to come along?" Yvette invited.
"If I have a quick video conference for a few minutes, would we still make it in time?" Albert asked. He had an urgent meeting he couldn't miss.
"We probably wouldn't. The children would be upset if we're late," Yvette waved dismissively. "You stay for your meeting. They'll be happy to see you as soon as they get home."
"Alright," Albert nodded, agreeing with her reasoning. "I understand. I'm happy when I get to see you first thing when I come home too."
As Yvette stepped outside, the cold wind rushed into her scarf, cooling her warm cheeks back to normal temperature. When had Albert learned to say such romantic things? Had he taken a crash course in relationships?
Thinking of Albert's intense gaze made her heart skip a beat. It all felt surreal—something she'd never dared to imagine before. Were they finally breaking the curse and becoming a normal married couple?
Yvette got into the car, shutting out the cold wind as she headed toward the children's preschool. The scenery flew past her window, with faint sunlight casting gentle shadows across her face.
The driver, who rarely spoke to her, kept glancing at her through the rearview mirror, seemingly wanting to say something. Her expression must have been quite telling, because he finally broke the silence.
"Mrs. Valdemar, you seem in excellent spirits today. Has something good happened?" he asked softly.
Yvette was startled, not realizing her joy had been so apparent. She composed herself with a smile. "Nothing special, really. I'm just happy about seeing the children."
The driver nodded with a smile. "It's reassuring to see you in good spirits. When you're unhappy, Mr. Valdemar's mood tends to darken as well."
Perhaps it was Yvette's approachable demeanor that had made the driver feel comfortable enough to share such an observation.
Yvette chuckled softly, turning her gaze back to the window as the preschool came into view.
Meanwhile, Albert hurried upstairs, remembering Yvette's words. Within minutes, he was seated at his desk. He promptly opened the video conference.
"Let's begin," he announced, checking his watch. "You have fifteen minutes—then we need to wrap up."
Everyone was accustomed to Albert's efficiency and quickly delivered their reports. After assigning tasks, Albert ended the meeting.
He had planned to go downstairs immediately to wait for the children, hoping they would see him as soon as they arrived. However, the moment he hung up, Vincent called.
Albert frowned, answering while heading downstairs. "What is it?"
"The hospital preparations are almost complete, but you'll need to return to Eldoria. Some matters require your personal attention."
Albert's steps faltered. He knew this trip was inevitable, but his relationship with Yvette had just begun to improve. He was reluctant to leave for several days so suddenly.
"How long will it take?" he asked, lips pressed together.
"About four or five days," Vincent hesitated. "Are you asking because you have other commitments?"
Albert didn't answer the question directly. "When?"
"That's up to you—I'll make the arrangements. But it needs to be this week, or we can't move forward with the next steps."
"Fine, but there's no rush," Albert replied firmly. "I'll confirm the timing with you later."
"Very well, Mr. Valdemar. Also—"
Just then, Albert heard rustling from the garden downstairs—Yvette returning with the children.
Albert cut him off impatiently. "We'll discuss the rest later."
"Pardon?" Vincent sounded confused. "Are you busy at the moment?"
"Yes," Albert replied with complete seriousness. "Busy welcoming my children home."
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