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.

you

his good hand, a sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Good imagination, but no. Just run the

over me. For a second, I really thought he’d expect me

bath was ready, I dropped onto the couch, waiting for him

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

with me.

my eyes again, sunlight streamed

1/3

53 Not Happening

Don’t rush to work–I’ve

me by

Finished

woken me or done anything questionable–and even thought to

was. She said he’d already left for the office early that

with an injured hand, he never

to work.

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

up my computer and dove straight into the spreadsheets I

me focused until the buzzing of my phone

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

and direct. “About the ‘Ice and Fire‘ series–when’s the launch? We need to confirm the timeline

pace. I’d be able to wrap up the spreadsheets and prepare a proposal in time.

Bruce said before hanging up,

precisely three, Bruce arrived at Eclipse Group with

greeted them at the door, my smile polite and practiced. “Mr. Collins, I’ve prepared the production plan for

said, following

opened my laptop when hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

with a loud bang.

sudden commotion, everyone turned to look at