Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 448 Just a Show

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Caden’s eyes lit up with amusement as he saw my surprised expression. He stepped forward, took my hand, and pulled me into his arms, wrapping them around my waist. “I missed you,” he murmured. “I had some spare time, so I came to see you. It wasn’t easy to get away.”

There was a slight hint of grievance in his voice, which made me chuckle. I slipped my hand from his grasp and said softly, “You couldn’t have come during the day or after work? It’s already midnight- shouldn’t you be at home resting?”

Caden frowned and let out a weary sigh. “I’m not just busy with work; there’s also the Azure Haven project. And when I do go home, I have to deal with Heidi. Honestly, I’m exhausted.”

“Oh, work, I understand. But being with Tessa–how could that be tiring? She takes such wonderful care of

doesn’t she?” I teased, smiling.

you,

Caden leaned down, his voice low and slow, brushing against my ear like a whispering breeze. “Are you jealous?” His tone carried a playful edge, laced with something deeper, something teasing. “Forget about my apartment for now. I miss you every single day; I just want to be with you.”

He stepped behind me, his arms circling my waist again, his chin resting on my shoulder. His lips barely grazed the sensitive skin below my ear.

I tilted my head slightly, turning in his embrace so that I was facing him. Cupping his handsome face with both hands, I smiled warmly. “Alright, alright. I know you missed me. I missed you too. I’m happy you came tonight. But-” I stretched out the word playfully, “-we have to focus on the bigger picture. So you’ll just have to bear with it a little longer.”

“Don’t be upset–oh, by the way, Heidi has

pestering me these past few days, constantly looking for excuses to come into my study–bringing me snacks, soup, that kind of

had already suspected. Heidi was trying to

of Caden.

in my mind–one

it would require some

“If someone sent her to get close to you, then why don’t we use that against her? We could feed her a little information–maybe

quickly realized that something was off. His brows furrowed, he turned to me and asked skeptically, “Wait.

his gaze and

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me a half–joking, half–serious look. “So you’re telling me to spend more time with her? Won’t that

I was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter, consciously avoiding his gaze and adjusting my

was unavoidable. But I was mostly rational–if we

little patience wouldn’t kill me. What else

with emotion. “Are you secretly hoping I’ll

question stunned