Chapter 112

If Liliana returned to him obediently and things went back to the way they were, he would let it all go.

Liliana's body was stiff as she lay down, resting her head on his lap. She closed her eyes, allowing Cedric to place the cool compresses over them. The soothing sensation eased the throbbing ache. Her lips were a soft red, and a few strands of hair had fallen across the delicate line of her neck.

Cedric's fingers brushed against her cheek as he tucked the stray hairs behind her ear. Then he closed his own eyes, resting.

He said nothing, which surprised Liliana. She had braced herself for his usual cold sarcasm. She had been prepared to beg and plead with him to take her back. But not only was he silent, he was acting as if nothing had ever happened.

Yet so much had happened.

On the ride home, her mind replayed the events of the past few weeks. They needed to talk, really talk, if they were going to find any semblance of peace.

Timothy dropped them off at the house and drove away. The compresses had reduced the swelling in her eyes, and her head felt clearer.

Inside the villa, she followed Cedric into the living room. It had been a while since she was last here, and an awkward, unfamiliar silence hung between them as they stood in the familiar space.

Cedric was never one to initiate conversation. In the past, she had always been the one to fill the silence. He turned to face her, seeing her standing there like a wooden doll.

"We should hire a housekeeper," Liliana said first, her tone matter-of-fact. She knew Cedric disliked having strangers in the house, so she quickly explained. "I might need to go to the hospital at any time to see Hale. And I have a job now. I don't want to be a full-time housewife anymore. I want to work."

For two years, her entire life had revolved around Cedric, catering to his every need. Maintaining his exacting standards had made it impossible for her to have a career of her own.

"Fine," Cedric agreed, uncharacteristically accommodating. He sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs, and waited for her to continue. He expected her to bring up the Preston family business, Hale's medical bills.

But Liliana said nothing more. His easy agreement was more than she had hoped for. As for the family business, she couldn't allow Cedric to get entangled with the Prestons long-term.

After all... her return was only temporary. Once Hale was better, or once she had earned enough money, she would...

"I'll make some noodles," Cedric

said, noticing the shadow of

sadness in her eyes. A flicker of pity stirred within him he probably didn't have the energy to discuss her family right now. They could talk about it later, whenever she was ready.

He stood and walked toward the kitchen.

Liliana stared after him, stunned. Cedric knew how to cook?

The man took off his finely patterned suit jacket, rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt, and entered the kitchen. He hadn't cooked more than a handful of times in his life, and his movements were clumsy. He put a pot of water on to boil, then rummaged through the cabinets before finally finding a package of thin noodles. When the water boiled, he added the noodles and seasoning, only then remembering to grab a couple of heads of baby bok choy from the refrigerator. By the time he had washed the vegetables and tossed them in, the noodles were already overcooked, breaking apart at the slightest touch.

Liliana stood in the dining room, watching his back as he worked, and for a moment, she was lost in a fantasy. In this vision, they were a lovingcouple. Her family was i crisis her spirits were low and be was thoughtfully making her a meal. For a fleeting second, she felt an overwhelming urge to confide in him, to tell him all the things she couldn't bring herself to say to Douglas.

She walked over and gently tugged on his sleeve.

"Hale, he......." She had only gotten two words out when Cedric's phone rang. He

leaned over to grab it, his sleeve slipping from her grasp.

"Sylvia." He didn't even notice she had been trying to speak.

Sylvia's voice on the other end was choked with tears. His expression immediately hardened. "I'm on my way."