Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

438 Finding Me

438 Finding Me (Cass)

"Cass," Chef Thierry's voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and commanding. It's nice to hear an English word at last. I haven't hear many in three days.

I glance up, still scrubbing. He's standing a few feet away, holding a small bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other. His expression is inscrutable, his sharp features etched like stone. "Here. As you are the... 'ow you say, soup expert..." He gestures with the spoon, offering it to me. "Taste."

I wipe my hands on my apron, glancing around.

They can be scared of him. I'm not. He's just a man doing a job, like any other man.

Taking the spoon, I dip it into the soup he's holding and taste.

The flavors bloom on my tongue-rich, earthy, with a faint hint of bitterness. It's incredible, no question, but... there's something missing.

Thierry's eyes narrow as he watches me, waiting. Almost daring me to defy him again.

I grab a clean spoon, dip it into a jar of honey I'd seen him use earlier, and swirl a small amount into the soup. Then I sprinkle some of the fresh chopped Lemon Thyme over the top. "Try that." I say to him, handing him a clean spoon.

The entire kitchen falls silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Thierry arches a brow but doesn't say anything. He tastes it, his expression unchanging. Then, after what feels like an eternity, he sets the bowl down on his counter with a deliberate motion

He doesn't say a word. Instead, he gestures toward the sink, where an even larger stack of dishes has appeared. His message is clear: back to work.

I return to the sink, my back to the rest of the kitchen, but I catch the faintest flicker of a nod from Thierry to his sous chef out of the corner of my eye. Each soup that goes out now has my finishing touches. That is probably the most satisfying feeling I've ever had.

The next morning, I'm chopping vegetables for salad and garnish under Thierry's watchful gaze.

His commands are brisk, his criticisms sharper, but I've learned to tune out the tone and focus on the words." Precision, not speed," he snaps as I dice an onion. "First technique, then speed will come. And no waste. Every piece matters."

it right, he doesn't say anything, but he doesn't need to. The absence of his criticism is

the kitchen becomes a symphony of controlled chaos. Why and how they get so many customers in this backwater

+25 BONUS

438 Finding Me

the conductor, orchestrating every movement, and I find myself caught up in the rhythm. He lets me plate a salad, and though my hands tremble, I pour everything

refined, modern and edgy. I pop on some violet petals and I

done, Thierry inspects it, his eyes

continues like that and once lunch service is over, I'm washing dishes to get ready for dinner service. But something is ignited inside me. I think

mean, I knew I

**

Thierry calls me into his cramped office and

piece of paper, slides it

he glances up at me,

says, holding out the

it carefully. "Thank

it

highly recommended." I quip with a

""When you leave?"

days. I'll take the train to Brussels. Thanks to

carefully, Cass. You have something. A spark, a

continues. "At least five years. Work in kitchens everywhere you can. Big, small, fancy, simple. Learn from all of them, but don't let anyone twist your vision. Take what you need and leave the rest." "Five years?" I echo,

five years. Or more. You're not ready to make a name for yourself before that. If you try, you'll be crushed. Learn and you'll have something no one can take from you." I

No compromise. Your food, your way. But first, you need to understand it. Respect

the small smile tugging at

you want to be the best! But you've already

438 Finding Me

"What's that?"