Chapter 38
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After leaving Kaiden’s room, I made my way to mine, feeling the weight of the moment still hanging in the air like an unspoken promise. I grabbed my school bag, steadied my racing heart, and headed downstairs.
As I descended the stairs, the mesmerizing scent of freshly brewed coffee washed over me, instantly calming my nerves. The rich, earthy aroma mingled with the mouthwatering fragrance of croissants, their golden flakiness tempting me with every step. The savory scent of avocado bacon toast hit me next, a smell so tantalizing that my stomach gave an impatient growl.
The warm, inviting atmosphere of the kitchen made it hard to resist, and for a moment, I let myself simply bask in the comforting smells of home.
“Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dan,” I called out, breaking the stillness that had followed me down the stairs. My voice was steady, despite the swirl of thoughts in my head. I made my way to the dining table, where my mom and Dan were already seated, and pulled out a chair, settling into it with a sigh.
“Good morning, Lucy,” Dan greeted me wholeheartedly, and for a brief moment, I felt the weight of his warmth. His sincere smile pulled a genuine one out of me, the kind that wasn’t just about being polite–it was respect, the kind I rarely gave.
But then, my attention shifted. I glanced at my mom, who had raised her right eyebrow with all the subtlety of a villainess and tapped at her wristwatch with an exaggerated motion. The message was clear: I was late, and she wasn’t pleased about it.
I rolled my eyes, deciding to ignore her. It was the easiest thing to do, really, and in this house, it was often the only way to maintain some semblance of peace. The tap of her watch sounded like an echo in my ears, but I didn’t let it show.
She bit her lower lip, as if trying to hide her irritation, but I could see it. I always could. I noticed everything about my mother–the way she held herself, how she would shift in her chair when annoyed, the subtle signs of control she thought no one could see. The truth was, I just didn’t care enough to show her that I noticed. Ignoring it was easier, and sometimes, it was all I could do to keep from letting her get under
my skin.
One of the servers placed a plate of avocado bacon toast in front of me, the rich, savory scent instantly making my stomach growl in appreciation. I glanced up at him, offering a polite smile. “Thanks, Charles.”
“It’s my pleasure, Lucy,” he replied, his tone smooth and disciplined, the kind of professionalism you’d expect from someone working in a high–end restaurant. The way he carried himself, so detached and formal, made me feel like I was sitting in an upscale eatery rather than in my own home.
I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of discomfort. There was something about the polished, stiff environment that didn’t sit well with me. To be honest, I hated that feeling. I prefer a more a simple homely environment when I’m at home. Everyone does it, I guess.
He was about to pour coffee for me, his hand hovering over the pot with practiced ease, but before he could complete the motion, I reached out, snatching the kettle from the table and grabbing a coffee mug. The porcelain handle felt cool against my fingers as I expertly poured the dark liquid, the rich aroma swirling up in a thick cloud. I wasn’t about to wait for someone to serve me, not when I could do it myself.
I didn’t know how long we’d be living with the Sterwalts, but getting used to these types of gestures–being waited on, pampered, treated like royalty–was worse than getting addicted to some high–end drug.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Mom’s sharp gaze land on me. Her throat cleared, the soft cough a subtle warning. But I didn’t flinch, didn’t even glance up at her. I didn’t give a flying fuck what she thought. I never had, and I wasn’t about to start
now.
Then Kaiden appeared at the top of the stairs, all ready for school, a backpack slung over one shoulder. His steps were steady and purposeful as he walked past the dining without even glancing toward the table. He didn’t stop for breakfast—just headed straight for the door.
“Kaiden,” Mom’s voice sliced through the air, halting him in his tracks. Her tone was sharp but laced with an underlying sweetness. “Son, come on. Are you really going to miss breakfast again? At least have a sip of coffee and a bite of your
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Chapter 38
favorite cheese croissant.”
Kaiden paused, his face softening for a moment before he sighed, looking back at her with a tired expression. “I’m sorry. Not in the mood.” His gaze then shifted to me, lingering for a moment longer than I expected. His eyebrows furrowed as he took in the sight of my face, stuffed with croissant. I could practically hear his internal chuckle, imagining him mentally comparing me to a pufferfish.
He shook his head with a soft laugh, almost as if he couldn’t believe I’d be eating like this so early. Then, as if quickly regaining control, his expression hardened into a more neutral, poker face. “We’re already late. You’ve got two minutes.” His tone wasn’t a suggestion–it was a command, and he didn’t even look back as he headed toward the door.
“Okay,” I muttered, my words muffled by the food still in my mouth.
I quickly drained the remaining coffee in my cup, hoping the warm liquid would help make the croissant easier to chew and swallow. Then, I took another piece of the cheese croissant, carefully wrapping it in a napkin.
Mom and Dan both exchanged glances, their eyes full of unspoken questions. I shot them a sheepish smile, trying to play it off. “For lunch,” I explained. “Cheese croissants are my favorite too.”
“Since when?” Mom asked, her confusion clear.
“Since I tasted it at our first family breakfast,” I said, not missing a beat, and then quickly made my way toward the main door, feeling the pressure of time catching up with me.
I sprinted toward the car, my heart pounding in my chest, but Kaiden, as if completely unaware of the urgency–though I knew he was fully aware–honked the horn like he was in the middle of traffic, rushing toward a rendezvous with the love of his life at a hotel who would vanish if he didn’t get there in time.
“I’m coming. I’m coming!” I called out, my pace quickening as I pushed myself harder.
My breath came in heavy, strained gasps as I finally reached the car. I threw open the door, slid into the seat, and slammed it shut, not sparing a second. For a few moments, I didn’t say anything–I just focused on catching my breath. The air felt thick, my chest tight from the run, and the only thing I could hear was the pounding of my heart.
I turned to look at Kaiden, who was staring at me with an expectant look, waiting for me to say something. I met his gaze, my irritation bubbling up despite the exhaustion.
“Seriously?” I said, finally breaking the silence, my voice a mixture of disbelief and annoyance.
“We’re getting late,” Kaiden shrugged casually, as if he hadn’t just made me sprint faster than an Olympic runner, as if it was all my idea.
I narrowed my eyes, irritation creeping in. “I was stupid to bring a cheese croissant for you,” I muttered under my breath, barely managing to hold back the frustration that was quickly building inside me.
His gaze shifted to me, eyes lighting up with surprise. “You brought a cheese croissant for me?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement, and for a moment, I could almost swear I saw a hint of something–appreciation? Gratitude? It was enough to make me pause.
The engine roared to life, but my thoughts were far away from the sound of the car. I was still processing what had just happened. I had gotten so caught up in the moment, trying to be considerate, that it hit me: we weren’t that close. Not really. So why had I felt the need to bring something for him?
His impressed look only made the awkward realization sink deeper.
“I… I…” I hesitated, trying to gather my thoughts, scrambling to find an excuse that would make sense, something that would sound just right. “I wanted to… thank you for the help. The pain relief patches. So… I brought them. That’s all. I didn’t bring it because I care for you, I just brought it as a gesture of gratitude. Understood?” I said, my voice a little too defensive, but I
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couldn’t help it.
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His eyes glinted with amusement as he leaned back in his seat, the hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yes, ma’am.” The tone was playful, teasing, but it wasn’t the kind of teasing that annoyed me. For some reason, it didn’t irritate me like it normally would.
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And to my surprise, I found myself softening, the tension in my chest easing. A small, soft smile escaped my lips, the kind that was fleeting but genuine.
To be continued…
