Chapter 21

"Oh, dear..."

Under Cedric's watchful gaze, Dowager Forrest pressed a hand to her forehead and groaned dramatically. "I nearly burned to a crisp! I could see your grandfather

beckoning to me from the great beyond!"

Liliana said nothing. She felt embarrassed.

She could feel Cedric's eyes on her, studying her for a prolonged second before he turned to look at his grandmother.

She pressed her lips together and sat quietly, watching the Dowager's performance. She didn't have the energy to decipher the meaning behind Cedric's stare.

"Grandma." Cedric stepped into the room, his impeccably tailored suit hugging his frame. His tall, commanding figure stood under the brilliant chandelier, casting a shadow over Liliana. She couldn't help but glance up at him. His features were lost in the silhouette, a dark, alluring shape that made her want to look just a little longer.

"Grandson, do you know what your grandfather said when he was waving at me?" Dowager Forrest peeked at Cedric through the gaps in her fingers, her sharp eyes gleaming.

With his aristocratic air and handsome, refined features, Cedric was clearly no ordinary man. She had always believed no one was good enough for her grandson. But ever since she'd met Liliana, she was convinced they were a match made in heaven. Liliana was gentle and serene, with delicate features like a porcelain doll. Her looks and her temperament were the perfect complement to Cedric's. The Dowager couldn't even begin to imagine how beautiful their children would be. "He said you're not to join him until you've seen your great-grandchild."

Cedric's lips barely moved, his gaze sliding subtly toward Liliana. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders. With her elbows propped on her knees, the collar of her dress gaped slightly, revealing a hint of pale, soft skin. A muscle in his jaw tightened, and his throat went dry.

Dowager Forrest snapped her fingers, her eyes darting between them. "Exactly! That's precisely what he said. So, when are you two going to get to it?"

Liliana was used to the Dowager's constant baby-badgering, but this method was so bizarre it was both funny and mortifying. Heat crept up her neck, and she searched for an escape from the inevitable conversation. Usually, the Dowager directed her questions at Liliana, and Cedric would let her fend for herself. She had already used every excuse she could think of.

Faced with the choice of telling another lie or avoiding the question, she decided to toss the hot potato to Cedric.

"Grandma, that's his decision."

Her words made Cedric's gaze darken.

"Are you really going to make me face your grandfather with nothing to report?" the Dowager demanded, craning her neck to get right in Cedric's face.

Cedric adjusted his cufflink with one hand, his tone nonchalant. "A great-grandchild would be your death knell, Grandma. I couldn't bear to see you go, so we won't be having one."

Beaten at her own game, Dowager Forrest's eyes widened. She felt as if her throat were stuffed with cotton, and she was left utterly speechless.

"Ma'am, dinner is served," a maid announced, walking into the room.

The Dowager seized the opportunity to escape her predicament. "Let's eat first! If I don't eat, I really will be seeing your grandfather. I'm done nagging One of these days Just have him come and nag you himself..."

Since asking for a divorce, Liliana had felt awkward whenever she saw Cedric, especially after their

restaurant. Thankfully Dowager Forrest was a chatterbox keeping the mood at the dinner table light and harmonious.

unpleasant exchange outside then etz

After the meal, the Dowager pulled Liliana down onto the sofa. "We've already prepared your room. Your parents-in-law aren't coming back tonight, so you two are staying to keep me company."

"Well....." Liliana instinctively looked at Cedric.

Staying over meant sharing a room. Given that they had an appointment to file for divorce next Wednesday, sleeping in the same room would be intensely uncomfortable.

"Why are you looking at him?" Dowager Forrest's tone left no room for argument. "I make the decisions around here!"

In the end, Liliana and Cedric were forced to stay.

Once they were upstairs, however, Cedric went straight to the study He would sleep there tonight-a tacit acknowledgment of their impending divorce. With that thought, Liliana Went to their room to shower.

Ten minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.