Chapter 10
Sylvia reached for the cutlery automatically. Her first instinct was always to serve Caleb before
Caleb beamed at her, so happy he could hardly stop smiling.
“Syl, I had them prepare all your favorite dishes tonight. Eat more.”
anyone
else.
Her heart clenched with gratitude. All these years in this house, he was the only one who ever remembered what she liked to eat.
She nodded sweetly at him, feeling the familiar ache behind her eyes.
And of course, since they had to keep up appearances for Caleb, Ronan did his part to look the loving husband, sliding the seafood from his plate onto hers.
She stared down at the delicacies, her throat tight with bitterness.
Carefully, she set them all aside without touching a single bite.
Perhaps noticing, Ronan shifted closer and spoke in a low voice only she could hear.”Don’t start.”
Sylvia kept her gaze fixed on the seafood in front of her, forcing a pleasant smile to stay on her lips.”I don’t eat seafood.”
That made Ronan pause, taken aback. She used to cook seafood constantly. He’d assumed it was because she liked it.
He’d never realized she’d only been accommodating him.
Sylvia’s smile sharpened as she calmly moved every piece of seafood back onto his plate.”It’s Lacey who likes seafood. I’m allergic. All those times I took pills before dinner? Those were for my allergies. But I forgot them tonight.”
Ronan froze, the words hitting harder than he cared to admit.
He remembered the white tablets she’d always swallowed discreetly, but he’d never asked what they were for.
And now she was telling him she’d eaten them for years just to avoid ruining his meal.
But the mention of Lacey made something colder flicker through his eyes.
“What does any of this have to do with Lacey?”
Sylvia had no energy left to argue. She focused on playing her part as best she could.
From Caleb’s vantage point, they looked like a devoted couple, gently serving each other food. The sight only made him happier.
“Syl,” Caleb said kindly, “did you try the medicine I sent over yesterday? Has it helped at all?”
Sylvia’s hand stilled. She’d tucked that medicine into a corner the moment she got home and hadn’t thought of it again.
“Grandfather, it’s only been a day. It’s too soon to see any change.”
Ronan’s quiet interjection startled her.
But she quickly reminded herself that he was only doing what he ought to have done long ago. After all, she’d swallowed countless pills for his sake without so much as a thank you.
Until now, he’d never once defended her to anyone. If he was stepping up now, it was only because he was afraid she might really leave.
“Oh, I suppose I am being impatient,” Caleb sighed.”But still, take care of yourself. It isn’t only about having a child.”
Sylvia nodded and lowered her head, eating quickly just to get it over with.
Every second of this charade was unbearable.
While everyone was still eating, Sergio finally appeared, striding in from the living room.”My apologies. I’m late.”
Technically, Sergio was Ronan’s uncle, but only seven years older, still in the prime of his life.
He had the same striking Gordon features, though less severe than Ronan’s. His appeal lay in a polished, mature charm.
He shrugged off a coat and sat down in the only empty seat after offering Caleb an apologetic smile.
Ronan didn’t bother hiding his disdain. He let out a soft scoff.”Late to the one family dinner you’re expected at all year. Anyone listening might think Vulture Group is some global powerhouse.”
Sergio’s company was nowhere near the scale of the business empire of the Gordon family and hadn’t expanded overseas.
Ronan’s jab was purely to humiliate him.
But Sergio only lifted a brow and ladled himself with some soup.”We’ve been busy shoring up the company’s firewalls. It’s finally done. Cost me a few sleepless nights.”
He said it so calmly it was almost gracious, though everyone knew he was twisting the knife.
After all, they all knew who’d installed that backdoor implant in the first place.
Watching Ronan’s jaw tighten, Sylvia couldn’t help feeling a wicked satisfaction.
Sure enough, Ronan set down his fork with a sharp clatter.”I’m finished.”
He looked at her, clearly expecting her to stand as well.”Grandfather, we’ll be heading home.”
Caleb frowned.”So early?”
Sylvia sensed Ronan’s irritation brewing and was afraid he’d snap and upset Caleb. She slipped her hand around his arm, her voice all soft sweetness.”We wanted to get back and see if that new medicine you sent helps.”
She pasted on her most demure smile, though everyone knew exactly what that implied.
Andrea shot her a scornful look and muttered under her breath, “Shameless.”
Who would say that bluntly at the family dinner? Such a rude woman.
Caleb only chuckled and waved them on.”Very well. Go on, then. Drive safely.”
The moment they stepped outside, Sylvia dropped Ronan’s arm and put a careful half-stride of distance between them, as if they were mere acquaintances.
Ronan assumed she was still stewing over everything the family had said.”You don’t have to let them get to you.”
Before, he hadn’t known what she endured. Now that he did, he supposed he owed it to her to protect her, if only a little.
Her expression chilled, her voice flat.”After the divorce, I won’t.”
She slipped into the car without waiting for him.
He stood there, unmoving, until she looked up and met his eyes.”Are you coming?”
