By unspoken agreement, they avoided mentioning what had happened. They continued to dutifully play the roles of father and mother, accompanying Ian as he studied and played.
However, Naomi Kenway could feel that Ethan Shaw's attitude toward her hadn't changed much. He didn't bring up any sensitive topics, but he treated her with the same thoughtfulness as always—or perhaps, he was even more thoughtful.
He no longer sent her roses with special meanings, nor did he talk about wanting to take their relationship further. But he insisted on washing her feet and giving her a massage when she was tired. He was diligently learning to cook, and his once "dark cuisine" had now evolved into something quite presentable.
Naomi Kenway felt like a frog being slowly boiled in warm water. The analogy didn't seem quite right, but she could feel Ethan Shaw's presence unconsciously weaving itself into her life. She was gradually getting used to him being there.
