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 to

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

ready, I dropped onto the couch,

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

with me.

again,

1/3

Not Happening

floor. Don’t rush to work–I’ve already

took me

Finished

even thought

Caden was. She said he’d

injured hand, he never slowed down. The man was a machine

to work.

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

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

me focused until the buzzing of my

was Bruce. “Hello?” I

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

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

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

Bruce arrived at Eclipse Group with his

them at the door, my smile polite and practiced. “Mr. Collins, I’ve prepared the production plan for the Ice and Fire‘ series. Let’s head to the

said, following me.

and I had just opened my laptop when hurried footsteps echoed

open with a

by the sudden commotion, everyone turned to look at the