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.

stared at him, stunned. “Don’t tell me you expect me

at the corner of his

a second, I really

I dropped onto the couch, waiting for him to

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 like a thief in the night, swift and unrelenting.

with me.

my eyes again, sunlight

1/3

Not Happening

Don’t rush to work–I’ve already called in for

me by

Finished

even remember when I’d drifted off. The fact that he hadn’t woken me or done anything questionable–and even thought to cover me with a blanket spoke volumes. He could be considerate when he

finishing breakfast downstairs, I asked Willa where Caden was. She said he’d already left for the office early that

he never slowed

to work.

I lingered over breakfast, savoring the rare chance to take it easy, then called for a cab

I powered up my computer and dove straight into the spreadsheets I hadn’t

steady rhythm of work had me focused until the buzzing of my phone interrupted.

the screen. It was Bruce. “Hello?” I answered, keeping

to confirm the timeline for mass production. When would you be

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

See you this afternoon!” Bruce said before hanging up, clearly pleased.

at Eclipse

Collins, I’ve prepared the production plan for the Ice and Fire‘ series. Let’s head to

he said, following me.

opened my laptop when hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

open with a loud bang.

turned to