Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 53 Not Happening

“You want me… to feed you?”

“Didn’t you say you owed me for saving your life?” Caden smirked as he fixed his eyes on me.

I didn’t know what to say.

It had been a joke, but somehow, he’d taken it seriously.

I glanced at the cut on his hand and sighed, feeling cornered. “Alright

He was impossible to shake off.

# Finished

But before I could even pick up the fork, his expression shifted. His gaze turned sharp as he reached out and took it from me. A faint smile played on his lips. “I was kidding. I can manage on my own.”

I rolled my eyes. This guy, always so detached and proper, suddenly decided to crack a joke?

Caden ate the noodles slowly, his movements deliberate. Once finished, he dabbed at the corner of his mouth with a napkin. “Not bad. Especially the sauce.”

“Glad you liked it.” I stood, ready to clear the table.

“Leave it. The housekeeper can handle it tomorrow,” he said, pressing his fingers to his temples. I’m worn our”

“Then I’ll help you to your room. After everything tonight–cooking, arguing, and now this–I was just as tired. All I wanted was to crash.

Tomorrow wasn’t going to wait for me, and there was plenty to get done.

“Fine,” he said, his tone quiet, almost detached.

As usual, he leaned on me while I half–dragged him down the hall. When we reached the bathroom, he came to an abrupt stop. “I need a shower,” he said flatly.

“Don’t tell me you expect me to help

the corner of his mouth.

over me. For a second, I

onto the couch, waiting for him to finish.

running in the bathroom was steady and rhythmic, a background hum that quickly faded into the edges of my thoughts. I leaned back on the couch, planning to ask Caden about sleeping arrangements when he came out. But as soon as I closed my eyes, the weight of the day caught up Sleep overtook me

with me.

opened my eyes again, sunlight streamed

1/3

53 Not Happening

on the first floor. Don’t rush to work–I’ve already called in

gesture took me by

Finished

drifted off. The fact that he hadn’t woken me or done anything questionable–and even thought to cover me

was. She said he’d already left

had. Even with an injured hand, he never slowed

to work.

my absence had been cleared, I wasn’t in a hurry. I lingered over breakfast, savoring the rare chance to

time I arrived. Once at my desk, I powered up

rhythm of work had me focused until the

the screen. It was Bruce. “Hello?”

the launch? We need to confirm the timeline for mass production. When would you be available for a

after glancing at my screen. If I kept up the pace. I’d be able

Bruce said before

arrived at Eclipse Group with

production plan for the Ice and Fire‘

he said, following

I had just opened my laptop

door flew open with a

sudden commotion, everyone turned to look at