Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 358 Heidi’s Soup

+B Pearls

“You should get up, don’t you think?” I forced a change in topic, feeling the weight of Caden’s presence pressing down on me. It was suffocating, and my breath caught in

y chest.

“No.” His eyes narrowed, dark and unreadable, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “If it’s not time for that… then this will do.”

He leaned in closer, his lips warm and fine. I instinctively tried to pull away, bur

against my hands. were trapped, his grip unyielding. There was no escaping him now.

His teeth grazed my lip, gentle but teasing, almost punishing in its intent. “Rosaline, he murmured, his voice low and rough. “you grow more beautiful each time I see you,”

Heat flooded through me. His words sent a shiver down my spine, my breath quickening in response to the intensity of his touch.

I lifted my chin, trying to regain composure. “I’ve always been beautiful. Did you really need to say it?”

“Yes, even the magic mirror would say you’re the fairest of them all. He chuckled, his laughter soft, almost tender.

Before me, the ice around him seemed to melt away, revealing a side of him I hadn’t seen–gentle, almost vulnerable.

He lowered his head again, his intentions clear.

I met his gaze–those burning eyes–and my heart race. Unable to resist, I closed my eyes, waiting for him to close the distance.

But just as his lips neared mine, a sharp knock shattered the moment, pulling me back to reality.

Caden froze, his eyes turning to ice as he looked toward the door.

standing in the doorway, was

over her shoulders, her white dress almost glowing against the dim light. She held a thermos in her hands, stepping into the room with an air of serene composure.

walked in just as Caden was hovering above me,

shock. “I–I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt… I’ll just go

pulled away, his movements

as injured as he

seemed perfectly capable when

glance before his expression hardened. His gaze, sharp and predatory, locked onto Heidi, an almost palpable tension rising in the room.

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25 B BB

Heidi’s Soup

doing here?” he asked, his voice laced with

+B Pearls

both hands. “I heard you and Ms. Sinclair were hurt,” she said, her tone soft and apologetic. I just wanted to check on you both. I didn’t mean to

I did before was wrong. I shouldn’t have come,” she said, her voice quivering with emotion. “But I’m really.

You

trembled slightly as she placed the thermos on the bedside table. “I made chicken and Ms. Sinclair can share it. If

sorrow, her eyes casting a pitiful glance at us. The sight nearly broke my resolve, bur

in my chest. This all seemed too convenient. The timing was almost too perfect.

the photos Anthony had uncovered. Without thinking. I broke the silence. “Well, you went out of your way to see

me, her voice faltering. “Ms. Sinclair, you… you hate me, don’t you? I should leave. My intentions are clear. I don’t want to stay and make things

delicate flower, playing the part of the wounded angel. The

Why come here

Chicken soup?

weren’t here, I might’ve suspected something more sinister, maybe even

to Heidi, his voice as sharp as steel. “Since Rosaline says you can stay, you might as well stay

her features. “Thank you, Caden!” she chirped, her steps light as she returned to the