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.

stunned. “Don’t tell me you expect me to help with that too.”

sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Good

wash over me. For a second,

bath was ready, I dropped onto

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,

with me.

opened my eyes again, sunlight streamed through the windows.

1/3

53 Not Happening

floor. Don’t rush to work–I’ve

took me by

Finished

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

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

Even with an injured hand, he never slowed down. The man was

to work.

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

close to noon by the time I arrived. Once at my desk, I powered up my computer and dove straight into the spreadsheets I hadn’t managed to finish the

steady rhythm of work had me focused until the buzzing

It was Bruce. “Hello?” I answered, keeping my tone

We need to confirm the timeline for mass production. When would you

afternoon works,” I replied after glancing at my screen. If I kept up the pace. I’d

Bruce said before

at

my smile polite and practiced. “Mr. Collins, I’ve prepared the production plan for the Ice

he said, following

had just opened my laptop when hurried footsteps

with a loud

turned to