Chapter 45

Liliana knelt to pick up the broken pieces of the ladle, her eyes darting toward the dining room entrance.

It was empty. There was no sign of him.

Had her guilty conscience conjured him out of thin air?

She threw the shards into the trash and walked out of the kitchen, scanning the area. The house was empty. With a sigh of relief, she returned to her cooking.

In the top corner of the living room, the red light of a security camera blinked silently. The feed was being streamed directly to Cedric's computer. The distance was too great for him to make out what she was saying, but he could see her smile-a genuine, radiant smile he hadn't seen directed at him in a very long time.

He had spoken aloud without thinking, curious about what could make her so happy. But the moment the words left his mouth, he knew it was a mistake. He shouldn't be monitoring her like this. Even though she was back, something about her had

changed.

He wanted to see if she was still as obedient as before.

And she was. She was at home, dutifully cooking his dinner.

Her distressed act from the other night must have been just that—an act. He decided to let it slide. He wouldn't hold her recent change in attitude against her.

He closed the camera feed and gazed out the window. Night had fallen, and the city was a tapestry of neon lights. Behind him, a soft sound broke the silence. Sylvia emerged from the private lounge in his office, wrapped in a white bathrobe.

"Cedric, if you're free this weekend, could you help me look for an apartment?"

Cedric took off his gold-rimmed glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I have properties. Pick any one you like."

Sylvia stood across the desk from him, the robe gaping slightly to reveal the pale skin of her collarbone. She leaned forward, as it by accident. I'm already imposing by staying in your office. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to move into one of your houses?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his expression unconcerned.

At his words, Sylvia straightened up with a soft smile. "Alright then. I'll order us some dinner. You should eat before you leave."

Cedric rested his chin on his steepled fingers, his gaze not lingering on her. "No, I

"It's Diana's birthday today," she cut

in, her tone a mix of fond

exasperation. "She's got this silly idea that if someone else shares a sa special meal for her, it'll bring her good health. She insisted Linvitë you." She paused. "We can't cook here, otherwise I'd make something for you myself. Or... we could go out. You've been under a lot of stress because of my situation lately. Let me treat you."

She had played the Diana card, weaving one excuse after another to keep him there. Cedric wavered.

After a moment's silence, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Liliana, telling her he was working late. Then he set the phone down and looked at Sylvia. "Order something."

"Okay," she said, taking a seat across from him and pulling out her phone. Along with a special pasta dish for the "birthday," she ordered several of Cedric's favorite foods.

Soon, the delivery arrived. The grand

office desk was covered with an

Ա:

elaborate dinner. Cedric picked up his fork and began to eat with methodical grace. Across from him, Sylvia chattered away, occasionally leaning over to place more food on his plate.

Halfway through the meal, she pulled out her phone and angled it for a picture. "Do you mind if I take a photo to show Diana?"

"Go ahead," Cedric said, surprisingly cooperative. He set down his fork, rested an elbow on the table, and looked at the camera.

In the photo, Sylvia looked gentle and blissfully happy. Cedric's expression was as cool as ever, but he rarely allowed his picture to be taken. The fact that he was willing to pose at all spoke volumes about the nature of their relationship.