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 expect me

good hand, a sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Good imagination,

over me. For a second, I

ready, I dropped onto the couch,

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.

with me.

again, sunlight streamed through the

1/3

Not

on the first floor. Don’t rush to

gesture took me by

Finished

woken me or done anything questionable–and even thought to cover me with a blanket spoke volumes. He could be considerate when he wanted to

asked Willa where Caden was. She said he’d already left for the

had. Even with an injured hand, he never slowed down. The man was a machine when it

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 called for a cab to take me to the company.

by the time I arrived. Once at my desk, I powered up my computer and dove straight into the spreadsheets I

me focused until the buzzing of

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

and Fire‘ series–when’s the launch? We need to confirm the timeline for mass production. When would you be available for a meeting,

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

said before hanging

at Eclipse Group with his

practiced. “Mr. Collins, I’ve prepared the production plan for the Ice and Fire‘ series. Let’s

he said, following

settled into the conference room, and I had just opened my laptop when hurried

open with a loud

sudden commotion, everyone turned to