Cicely was never a stingy person. Kane might not be the most reliable guy around. But his gesture of buying ten bottles of Chardonnay from her was sincere enough. So it was natural for her to prepare this table full of delicious food.

Yeah, it was all about the Chardonnay.

Cicely guided Hugo to his chair, where the maid tied a bib around his neck and set out a non-slip fork and spoon in front of him.

Cicely was there just to tidy things up a bit, rolling up Hugo’s sleeves for him. Cicely was much calmer and relaxed now than at the beginning when she wanted to hug Hugo all the time and was all nervous and overwhelmed.

Grandpa was well, Hugo’s eyes were healed, and she was free, living here with improved conditions. Everything had settled down.

She was slowly reclaiming her own identity, the one she had three years ago, haughty, aloof, and heartless. No one could catch her eye.d2

Back then, everyone but Seth got that treatment. Now, it was the same for everyone.

Unchanged, yet changed.

Her radiant face had gained a touch of maturity and grace through those three years. The arrogance in her brow persisted, yet it now held a certain fully-formed allure.

Seth’s gaze never left Cicely.

She picked up the fork and served Hugo some food. “Want mom to blow on it?”

Hugo shook his head, “I can do it. You eat, Mommy.”

Cicely smiled gently, caressing his cheek. “Good boy.”

Even Kane found this version of Cicely unsettling. She was so different from before. He thought, in these three years, Cicely had grown more than any of them.

The once haughty woman who needed assistance for every task, and couldn’t lift a finger, was now caring for others.

Seth longed to sit next to Cicely, but ended up across from her. It was the safest distance to avoid irritating her and the perfect spot for discreet observation.

Kane, observing Seth’s unusual timidity, shook his head. Love was a strange and wondrous thing. He bet that after dinner, Seth would be back in his room, wide awake with insomnia.

Sighing, Kane attempted to broach a subject with an elder’s poise.

Cicely glanced at him, “Care for some peanuts?”

Kane, reading the hidden thorns in her amused eyes, opened his mouth in confusion. “Maybe a bit more wine?”

Cicely frowned, “No alcohol served.”

“C’mon, it’s a rare gathering. Besides…” Kane winked towards Seth, “a little drink might help with sleep.”

Cicely set down her fork, and Kane hastily added, “I will buy two bottles of Lafite in exchange for any wine you have. Is that OK?”

Cicely looked toward the maid, “Do we have any cheap beer?”

The maid nodded, “Two cases in the storeroom.”

“Bring one up.”

Kane was speechless.

*

Kane was all about helping Seth sleep, but in the end, he was the one who ended up paralyzed on the couch clutching a bottle of wine.

Once Hugo finished his meal, Cicely had the maid take him upstairs. She glanced at Kane, mumbling nonsense on the sofa, a shadow crossing her expression. “Get him out of here before he ruins my carpet.”

With that, she turned to head upstairs.

“Cicely.”

She paused, her delicate hand resting on the banister.

Seth forced a smile, “Goodnight.”

Sounds of the dining room being tidied up mixed with Kane’s muffled chatter. After a moment, Cicely’s voice floated down, soft and delicate. “Goodnight.”

Seth’s heart skipped a beat. He had never realized how enchanting those words could be.

Kane slurred, “Cicely, I swear that I’ve never seen him making such a fool of himself. Damn hilarious…”

the stairs, Seth looked away from the man slumped on the couch, yanking him up by the collar and dragging him out

choking… This is

even allowing him inside his home. Charlie was

couldn’t resist asking as he turned the car around. It wasn’t that he was particularly nosy, but he truly feared Mr. Diaz’s

Diaz was happy, the entire company prospered. One man’s happiness affected the well-being

him, saying slowly,

was taken aback,

nodded, “Then perform

to himself. “What did

*

Mansion rang again. Cicely opened

the doorway, tilting her

deliver Hugo’s

at him, saying

cook, so I thought I’d drop

twenty bottles

for a moment, then turned and walked

*

The third day.

The fourth day.

The fifth…

Mansion at least once a day for a meal.

humans are

meals, let him see Hugo, and interacted with him with calm indifference. These things would have satisfied him in the past, but she never once mentioned

mid-air. And he didn’t dare bring it up, because any mention

reopening old wounds. But all that sensitivity and withholding disintegrated the day Lana came to Cicely’s Mansion for dinner a

to the villa for him that day. Her brow creased slightly at the sight of him. “Well, ” she said, her tone laced with disbelief. “I didn’t think even you would have the nerve to show up

body coiling with an uneasy anticipation.

her gaze playful yet piercing. “Packing up some

the gift he brought

aside, Lana

holding a plate decorated with animal-shaped fruits, obviously prepared for Hugo. Her expression remained neutral upon seeing Seth, as she walked over to

book. Once blind, now that he could see, he dedicated hours each day to devouring the pages of

handed him a pear. Hugo bit into it and then sat up,

the smile with a

cheerfulness as usual. “Dad” had become a natural part of Hugo’s vocabulary. Seth’s face, previously

and Seth, sensing the odd

remained silent; she too was baffled. Why would Seth come to her home, uninvited, and then act so coldly toward their son? Was

outward display, especially with her aunt

Lana’s

to stay

Hugo yawned and the conversation dwindled, Lana

Hugo nodded in

you bathed and into bed early then. We have to rise with the sun tomorrow,” Lana

watched, his jaw

the couch, shuffled into his little slippers,

looking disinterested and lazily

she yawned. His mouth remained tightly shut as he watched her for

Cicely could get a clear look at him, she was scooped up into

tone attempted to sound stern, but it came

though. “I’ll

as he carried her to her room, laid her down, and removed her shoes. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she curled up and fell asleep,

his voice husky. “Aren’t

Cicely hummed a response.

uncomfortable to sleep

her brow. “Can you just let me

profile for a moment longer before turning

closer, his warmth enveloping her. She guessed what he wanted to do; it was evident he was yearning to kiss her. Yet, just inches away from her lips, he hesitated, breathing her in without

withdrew, and Cicely heard the soft click of the door closing. In the dim light, Cicely slowly opened her eyes and stared at the curtains that Seth had just drawn. She seemed to be thinking about

Cicely’s delicate scent still lingering in his

he didn’t know how to start, nor

would he do if

*

but instead slept straight through until

freshening up, she descended the stairs to find the servants quietly tidying the living room. They looked

the bedding in my room,” she instructed.Books Chapters Are Daily

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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