Capone raised an eyebrow and tapped the equipment beside him. "Everything here is calibrated to my strength standards. If you want to use it, I'll adjust it for you later, or you might get hurt."
"Okay, thank you," Sophia replied softly, her voice lowering. His thoughtfulness made her feel a pang of guilt, like a child caught doing something wrong.
Capone enjoyed this shy, endearing side of her. Pulling her into his arms, he teased, "What's this? Feeling embarrassed? Don't tell me you're here because you want to lose weight. Honestly, I think you're already too thin—you could use a bit more flesh!"
Sophia playfully pushed at him with her arm. "No, I didn't come here to lose weight!"
"Good. You need to eat more," Capone said, his gaze softening suddenly. "Let's go to the hospital. I've scheduled a check-up for you."
"A check-up for me?" Sophia asked, puzzled. Wasn't he the one who had been unwell recently?
"Yes. Come on."
He draped a light jacket over her shoulders. Though it was nearly early summer, mornings and evenings still carried a chill.
Sophia's heart warmed at the gesture. Without further questions, she followed him to the hospital.
To be honest, she wasn't sure what this check-up was for. They drew her blood, did an ECG, ran standard internal and external examinations, and even performed a gynecological check-up.
Her mind flashed back to the humiliation she'd experienced at ROYAL when Penny had mocked her. Once bitten, twice shy—those memories still stung. She wanted to ask what this was all about, but seeing the genuine concern on Capone's face and the way he spoke to the doctor with such seriousness, she hesitated.
If he had any intention of making things difficult for her, he wouldn't need to go through so much pretense.
On the way back, the car was filled with the strong scent of traditional Chinese medicine.
"The doctor prescribed some tonics," Capone explained. "They're made from the finest ingredients. There are also some medicinal pastes—I heard people from Hokkaido are accustomed to eating these."
He wasn't wrong. Sophia had seen her parents take medicinal pastes during winter as a tonic. On her recent trip home, she'd even noticed her cousin Henry Diaz buying some for Fiona. But she herself had never tried them. She assumed Capone must have bought them to recover his own energy.
However, at dinner, she was surprised to find the medicinal flavors already present in the soup. Instead of the usual large clay pot stew, two small white porcelain double-boiled jars were placed on the table. One, adorned with delicate pink floral designs, was hers; the other, decorated with simple blue and white patterns, was Capone's.
When she opened hers, the aromatic scent of medicinal soup wafted out, distinctly different from his.
Sophia wrinkled her nose. "Why do I have to drink this too?"
The medicinal soup, after all, was not like regular meat broth. It still carried the distinct taste of herbs, giving her the feeling she was drinking medicine—which seemed unnecessary since she wasn't ill.
Capone, uncharacteristically, sat at the table and scooped up a spoonful from his bowl without even glancing up. "You're too thin. A little nourishment will do you good," he remarked.
Lucy, standing nearby, chuckled. "Sophia, your soup is meant to calm and nourish the body, while Capone's bowl is for boosting energy and promoting circulation. It's perfect for this season! Come on, drink up! There's more tomorrow!"
Sophia winced at the mention of having to continue this regimen the next day, completely missing the deeper meaning in Lucy's words.
Later that night, after finishing his work in the study, Capone went directly to Sophia's room. She had a small bedside lamp on and was reading, clearly not expecting his arrival. She looked flustered and unsure of how to react.
Having already showered, Capone wore a loose robe as he lifted the blanket and lay down beside her. Tilting his head slightly, he gazed at the elegant curve of her jawline before reaching out to unbutton her nightgown.
Sophia panicked and tried to push his hand away, but he caught her hand and pulled her toward him. She fell onto his chest, her softness brushing against his face, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance that sent a wave of warmth through his body.
It seemed that tonight's medicinal soup had indeed taken some effect.
Capone swiftly unfastened the buttons on Sophia's nightgown, revealing her delicate, fair skin and the elegant lines of her collarbone.
Lowering his head, he kissed her gently, his lips trailing down her neck. His hand slid along her smooth abdomen, his touch lingering as if savoring the warmth radiating from her.
"Don't… please…" Sophia's soft protests were barely audible, her voice trembling with hesitation.
Capone, however, didn't give her much time to resist. His urgency this time was different—less about careful patience and more about a fervent need to close the distance between them.
Sophia, caught off guard, instinctively tried to retreat but found herself drawn closer instead. Her natural hesitation only made their connection tighter, their closeness undeniable.
Capone's movements slowed once they were fully entwined, his touch shifting to gentle reassurances. His lips brushed against her ear and shoulder, murmuring softly, "Relax, Sophy… just a little more. You're holding on so tightly, I can't move."
When Sophia tried to push him away again, he caught her hands, lifting them to his lips. He kissed her fingertips one by one with a tenderness that made her heart waver.
Her resolve softened under his natural warmth and care. The earlier guilt she felt from exploring the forbidden rooftop now lingered in her mind, mixing with a strange sense of comfort. Without realizing it, she wrapped her arms around him, allowing herself to melt into his embrace, their connection deepening with each passing moment.
As the night unfolded, their movements were rhythmic yet tender, a blend of passion and unspoken emotions. Sophia buried her face in the pillow, her mind a haze of sensations, while Capone held her close, his touch and whispers drawing her further into his world.
When the final wave came crashing, it was powerful yet lingering, leaving them both breathless. Capone's arms remained wrapped around her, his gaze soft but intense, as if reluctant to let her go.
Sophia felt overwhelmed, her body trembling from the intensity, yet her mind remained clear. She vividly remembered the words Capone had said during their intimate night on the ship, the memory etched deeply into her thoughts.
He had told her he wanted her to bear his child.
The clarity of that memory made her suddenly alert. She became acutely aware of the situation, her body instinctively tensing as she tried to push him away. "Get out!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with both anger and embarrassment.
Capone, half-resting against her, met her gaze with a teasing smirk. "You're holding on so tightly," he murmured. "Are you trying to tempt me into going again?"
"You!" Sophia's cheeks flushed with frustration. Grabbing a pillow, she playfully swung it at him, though its soft feathers caused no harm.
Capone chuckled, clearly enjoying her spirited reaction, but after a while, he let out a soft sigh. "Ah, my back... the wound still aches a little."
Sophia immediately froze, her expression shifting to one of concern. "I'm sorry! I forgot. I didn't mean to—let me check it for you."
Instead of moving, Capone leaned closer, capturing her lips in a lingering kiss. His tenderness erased her protests, and soon the warmth between them reignited, drawing them together once more.
That night was both passionate and tender, as though Capone sought to convey his deepest feelings through every touch and embrace. By the end, Sophia felt utterly spent, her body relaxed to the point of weightlessness. She murmured softly, pleading for a reprieve, and Capone finally let her rest in his arms.
Even in her exhaustion, she felt his careful attention, his warmth enveloping her as he gently cleaned away the traces of their intimacy. His lips brushed against hers in a final, featherlight kiss before she drifted into sleep.
In her dreams, a cherubic child with bright, laughing eyes reached out to her, arms open for a hug. The sound of the child's giggles filled her heart with a tender joy that seemed to carry her into the morning.
When Sophia awoke, the faint traces of that sweet dream lingered on her lips, her smile soft as sunlight streamed into the room.
Sophia's daily routine now revolved around consuming various herbal remedies. Every day, without fail, she had to finish a small bowl of medicinal soup both at lunch and dinner. Just the sight of the delicate pink floral pattern on the porcelain bowls made her feel queasy, not to mention the strange paste she had to dissolve in warm water every morning before breakfast—it tasted even worse than bitter medicine.
Perhaps noticing her struggle, Capone had fresh fruits and vegetables delivered in bulk: crates of New Zealand kiwis, Chilean cherries, and organically grown greens. They were stacked high in the kitchen, with strict instructions for her to consume them all.
While all these nourishing foods left her body feeling perpetually warm, they also dulled her appetite. The heat from the remedies, combined with being cooped up indoors, made her restless.
The small, mysterious house in the backyard still lingered on her mind, an itch of curiosity she hadn't scratched. One afternoon, while Lucy was preoccupied sorting the fruits and vegetables, Sophia seized the opportunity to revisit the gym balcony.
This time, she came prepared, carrying a sturdy plank to bridge the gap between the two balconies. Carefully positioning it between the railings, she began her daring venture.
It had rained the night before, and the dampness on the railings made everything slick and precarious. The plank wobbled under her weight as she edged across, gripping the wall's water pipes for support. Just as she thought she'd made it, her foot slipped on the wet surface. The plank threatened to tumble, and she nearly went with it.
Before she could fall, a warm, steady grip caught her around the waist, anchoring her in place. At the same time, a strong hand grabbed the teetering plank and secured it.
Still shaken, Sophia turned to see who had saved her. To her astonishment, it was none other than Dr. Cronus, whom she hadn't seen in ages.
"Dr. Cronus? Where... where did you come from?"