Chapter 249
Chapter 249
Katniss looked at him. Silent for several seconds.
In those seconds, Cedric stared into her eyes, desperate to find even a trace of wavering. A crack in her resolve.
He found nothing.
Her eyes were calm—almost empty of emotion.
"If you won't let go, then don't."
Her voice was soft, drained of any fight. "But I'm really tired, Cedric. I want to sleep."
She turned without another glance, walked back to the bed, pulled up the covers, and lay down with her back to him, curling into herself.
Cedric sat in his wheelchair, the crumpled divorce agreement clenched in his fist, knuckles bone-white.
He watched the curled figure on the bed. Moonlight traced her slender outline—so close, yet impossibly far.
In the end, he said nothing. He turned the wheelchair in silence, backed out of the room, and pulled the door shut behind him.
---
The next morning, Katniss didn't come down for breakfast.
Cedric sat at the dining table, his plate untouched. He glanced at his watch—eight thirty. Normally she'd already be on her way to the office. Today, not a sound from upstairs.
"Where's Mrs. York?"
He frowned but kept his voice even.
"Mrs. York said she's not feeling well," the servant answered carefully. "She'd like to rest at home today and skip the office."
Cedric's hand paused on his fork. He said nothing.
His gaze dropped. His throat worked once. Then he set the fork down with a quiet "Fine."
---
Katniss lay in bed past nine, wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Her mind was blank.
After yesterday's explosion in the conference room, she couldn't pretend everything was normal anymore—couldn't sit across from Cedric's suspicious, accusing eyes and act like nothing had happened.
She just needed to breathe.
She exhaled slowly. Cedric should be gone by now. She got up, washed her face, changed into something simple, and pulled her hair into a loose low ponytail.
The woman in the mirror looked pale, faint shadows bruising the skin beneath her eyes. She looked worn.
She tried to smile at her reflection. It came out worse than crying.
A quiet sigh. She grabbed her bag and headed out.
It was a beautiful day. She got in her car and set the GPS for the rehabilitation center on the outskirts of the city. Along the way she passed a flower shop, pulled over, and went in for a bouquet of white lilies.
The clerk recognized her and smiled. "Ms. Astor, visiting Mr. Cody York again?"
Katniss smiled back politely, paid, and walked out cradling the flowers.
Sunlight fell warm across her shoulders. Away from the company, away from the villa—the sun always felt kinder out here.
---
Fifteen minutes later, the car stopped at the entrance of the rehabilitation center.
The facility was quiet. A nurse at the door greeted her with a smile. "Ms. Astor, here to see Mr. Cody York? He's in good spirits today—just finished his physical therapy and he's reading in his room."
Katniss nodded, thanked her, and carried the flowers down the hall.
She pushed open the door. Cody was propped against the headboard wearing reading glasses, absorbed in a thick leather-bound volume.
At the sound of the door, he looked up. His face broke into a warm smile.
"Katniss! What brings you by today?"
"I missed you. Thought I'd come say hello."
She walked over and arranged the lilies in the vase on his nightstand, adjusting the petals.
"Brought you flowers. White lilies—your favorite."
Cody looked at the bouquet, then at her. His gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds.
He was old, but his eyes were still sharp. He noticed the dark circles, the fatigue she couldn't quite hide, the shadow settled between her brows. Something heavy sank in his chest.
But he didn't call it out. He simply smiled. "That's sweet of you. They're lovely—smell wonderful too."
They chatted for a while. Cody told stories from his younger days—growing flowers, planting roses in the backyard with his late wife. His voice carried warmth laced with quiet sadness.
Katniss listened, responding softly here and there, while a dull ache spread through her chest.
Cody had weathered a lifetime of storms. Now, in his twilight years, only a handful of family remained by his side.
After a while, Cody said suddenly, "Nice day out. Push me to the garden, will you? Cooped up in here much longer and my bones'll rust."
Katniss agreed and helped him into the wheelchair.
She pushed him down the corridor and out to the small garden behind the building.
It wasn't large, but it was beautifully kept. A few osmanthus trees stood heavy with golden blossoms, their sweet fragrance drifting through the air.
Sparrows hopped across the grass, pecking at seeds, unbothered by people.
Katniss wheeled Cody along the cobblestone path, circling the garden once before stopping beside a bench under an osmanthus tree.
She was about to lock the wheels when Cody reached out with effort and gently clasped her wrist.
His hand was thin, the skin loose and spotted with age. But his grip was surprisingly firm.
"Katniss." His clouded eyes found hers, his voice aged but gentle. "Tell me the truth. Did you and Cedric have a fight?"
Katniss stiffened. Her first instinct was to deny it—but meeting those eyes, eyes that had seen everything life could offer, the words died on her tongue.
She lowered her gaze. Said nothing.
Her silence was answer enough.
Cody sighed and patted the back of her hand. "I may be old, but I'm not out of the loop. I know things happened at the company. I know you two had it out in a meeting."
"And that face of yours—you can fool other people, but you can't fool me."
The sting hit her nose first. Then her eyes burned, reddening in an instant.
She bit her lip, fighting the tears threatening to spill. But they rose anyway, blurring her vision.
"Katniss."
Cody shifted in his chair with effort, turning to face her fully. His voice was slow but steady.
"That boy—Cedric—he's been stubborn since the day he was born. Cut from the same cloth as his father. He doesn't know how to say what he feels. He bottles everything up, and sometimes his words come out sharp enough to cut. But he cares about you. Deep down, he does."
Katniss pressed her teeth into her lip. Tears pooled along her lashes.
"These years you two have been married—I've watched. Everything you've done for him, for the York family. I remember all of it."
Cody tightened his grip on her hand. A glassy sheen rose in his old eyes.
"Katniss, two people finding each other in this world—that's not easy. That's fate. Don't let one moment of anger make you let go. Years from now, you'd look back and regret it."