Chapter 99
I leaned back in the chair, legs crossed with ease, one hand resting casually on the armrest, the other flicking ash from my cigarette with idle grace. The whole room smelled faintly of tobacco and cold silence. I wasn’t in a hurry to move–until I heard Mrs. Beck’s voice calling from outside the study.
“Young Alpha, dinner’s ready.”
“Coming,” I called out.
With a slow exhale, I snuffed the cigarette into the ashtray and rose. Before heading out, I opened the study window to let in a breeze, dispelling the last traces of smoke clinging to my clothes. Riley had just been discharged. Her body was still healing–I wouldn’t let even the smell of smoke make her feel uncomfortable.
I adjusted my shirt cuffs and made my way downstairs.
The moment I reached the foyer, I saw Grandma, Mrs. Beck, and Mia all flocking around Riley like mother wolves guarding a precious pup. The sight hit me harder than I expected. Grandma was holding Riley’s hand the same way she used to hold mine when I was younger–full of warmth, pride, and love.
“Riley, don’t feel shy here. This is your home now. If there’s anything you want to eat, just tell me. I’ll have Mrs. Beck make it for you,” Grandma said with a kind smile.
Mrs. Beck emerged from the kitchen, holding a steaming plate. “Riley, I didn’t know your favorite dishes, so I just made what I’m good at. Please try it.”
Mia chuckled. “Good choice. Our young miss loves braised meat.”
“Really? Then have as much as you want,” Grandma said cheerfully. She picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece in Riley’s bowl, her eyes full of expectation. “Go on, give it a try.”
Riley looked dazed, caught off guard by their care. Her eyes glistened slightly–like she was trying not to cry. She whispered, “We should wait for Lucien…”
Grandma waved her hand. “Don’t wait for that brat. If you’re hungry, you eat.”
I walked in right on cue and raised a brow. “Ouch. Looks like I’m no longer her favorite.”
Grandma gave me a sharp look. “At least you remembered to show up. I figured you were planning to
starve.”
I held up my hands in surrender. “My bad. Needed to air out the smoke,”
I was about to sit across from Riley, butGrandma grabbed my arm and shoved me down beside her.
I glanced at Riley, whose wide eyes mirrored my own surprise.
“Alright, time to eat!” Grandma announced, then turned to Riley again and started piling more food into her
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bowl.
Mia and Mrs. Beck followed suit like synchronized warriors, leaving Riley’s bowl looking more like a mountain. She looked overwhelmed, unsure of where to even start.
I leaned in and said softly, “If they keep going, you won’t need dinner for a week.”
I split her food in half into a side plate and smiled at her surprise.
“Eat up.
You’re way too thin.”
That made Grandma laugh so hard her eyes turned into slits. “Well, well, my grandson’s finally grown a
heart.”
Mia and Mrs. Beck giggled too, covering their mouths like gossiping hens. Riley’s cheeks turned bright red, and she ducked her head, silently nibbling her food.
The meal was warm in every way. Grandma sat at the head of the table, Riley to her left, and I beside her. Mia and Mrs. Beck sat opposite, sharing stories and gently urging Riley to eat more.
She looked a little shy, but the glow in her eyes told me she felt it too–this rare, quiet moment of belonging.
By the time dinner ended, Riley tried to get up and help with the dishes, but the others wouldn’t hear of it.
“You just got out of the hospital,” Mrs. Beck scolded gently. “Let us handle it.”
“Exactly,” Mia chimed in. “We’ve got this. Go relax.”
Grandma didn’t waste the opportunity to push her back down next to me. “You two are young. Go talk. Get to know each other better.”
With that, she herded Mia and Mrs. Beck into the kitchen like sheepdogs.
Silence settled in the living room as Riley and I sat side by side on the sofa. She looked unsure, her fingers nervously twisting in her lap.
I finally broke the silence. “Embroidery uses all sorts of tools. There’s this specialty shop I know that carries every color of silk thread and some decent quality hoops. I can take you there tomorrow, if you’d like.”
Her eyes lit up. The tension in her body melted instantly. She nodded, a smile playing on her lips. It was subtle, but real.
And in that moment, watching the way her smile bloomed like something delicate and unexpected–I felt it.
I wanted to be the reason she kept smiling like that.
Not out of gratitude.
But because she was finally home.