Chapter 31 A Life of Mutual Respect
Dominic wasn't content to just sit back and fade into the background. During dinner, he actively jumped into the conversation, which caught Donald's eye.
When the three men started talking business, they really got into it.
Evelyn, being part of the business world, could chime in now and then, but Cordelia, who wasn't part of their circle, found the whole thing pretty boring.
She ate quietly, listening to their talk about data, which made her feel drowsy.
Alaric glanced over and saw Cordelia discreetly yawning.
After a while, he found an excuse to take Cordelia away.
Donald and Evelyn walked them to the door. Dominic hung back a bit.
Robert saw Alaric and Cordelia coming out together and quickly opened the back door of the car.
Alaric assisted Cordelia as she entered the car, then turned to briefly chat with Donald before getting inside himself and instructing the driver to depart.
The car slowly pulled away from The Stone Manor, and Cordelia couldn't help but yawn again.
She instinctively shifted to the left as Alaric got in, keeping a respectable distance between them.
Alaric noticed her automatic reaction and his eyes dimmed slightly.
When they arrived at Garden Vista Estates, Robert parked the car, and Cordelia immediately opened the door and got out.
Yawning, she looked at Alaric and casually remarked, "If you're worried about Ms. Martin, you can go to the hospital. I'll cooperate with you regarding Grandma."
Alaric sat in the car, his handsome features highlighted by the light outside.
Cordelia didn't wait for his response, closing the door and heading inside.
Robert, who had just unbuckled his seatbelt to open the door for them, suddenly didn't know what to do.
He had clearly seen Alaric move slightly in the back seat, indicating he was about to get out.
But Cordelia's words had stopped him in his tracks.
Alaric's deep, dark eyes showed a hint of coldness. After a few seconds, his low, calm voice broke the silence.
"Drive, back to Crown Hill Estates."
Robert didn't dare delay. He re-fastened his seatbelt, started the car, and left Garden Vista Estates.
Cordelia, enjoying a rare day off, slept in.
When she got up and went downstairs, Saskia had already prepared breakfast.
Alaric hadn't returned after leaving last night. Cordelia sat at the dining table, eating breakfast.
Saskia stayed close by, watching Cordelia's seemingly indifferent expression, and sighed softly.
After lunch, Saskia had to leave suddenly due to an emergency at home.
Cordelia was left alone in Garden Vista Estates. She sat on the couch in the living room, reading a book.
But soon, Cordelia felt sleepy again.
When Alaric returned, he saw Cordelia asleep on the couch and paused.
She was wearing a red nightgown, her bare ankles dangling slightly off the couch, her smooth back looking alluring.
A gentle breeze blew in from outside, causing the white curtains to flutter. The scene was serene and beautiful.
Alaric's breath caught, his heart skipping, afraid to disturb this perfect moment.
Cordelia's long, thick eyelashes fluttered slightly.
Alaric immediately looked away and walked upstairs.
Cordelia didn't wake up, only shifting slightly to find a more comfortable position.
The downstairs remained quiet, and the sky outside gradually darkened.
Alaric's eyes darkened as he walked back downstairs.
Cordelia was still asleep.
Alaric frowned and approached the couch. The temperature had dropped, and she was only wearing a thin nightgown, which could easily lead to a cold.
"Cordelia, go to bed," he said softly.
Cordelia slowly opened her eyes, still groggy from sleep. Seeing it was Alaric, she murmured softly and sweetly.
"Honey."
Since Alaric had handed her the divorce papers, Cordelia hadn't called him that. Alaric's expression became subtle as he looked at her.
Cordelia paused, gradually becoming more alert. "You're back?" Her voice was calm, her eyes returning to their usual coolness.
Alaric retracted his hand that had been reaching out, his gaze falling on Cordelia's legs. Cordelia was momentarily stunned, following his gaze to see that her dress had ridden up to her thighs. Her face flushed, and she quickly pulled it down. Alaric also averted his gaze.
"Where's Saskia?" he asked.
Cordelia replied, "Saskia took the day off."
She glanced at the time, surprised to find she had slept for over four hours. Having eaten little at lunch, her stomach growled with hunger.
Alaric looked at her. "Didn't eat much for lunch?"
Cordelia answered softly, "I ate, but not much."
Alaric gave her a quick look, then rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen. "What do you want to eat?" His voice was surprisingly gentle.
Cordelia hesitated for a few seconds before speaking, "Spaghetti, please."
"Do you know how to make it?" she asked, curious.
After three years of marriage, Cordelia didn't know if Alaric could cook. During the time Janet was away, Alaric left early and returned late, and they were polite to each other.
A few minutes later, Alaric's spaghetti was ready, with two full bowls. Cordelia's bowl had an extra fried egg. She bit her lip, suppressing the flutter in her heart, and ate the spaghetti quietly.
After eating, Cordelia stood up to clear the empty bowls. But Alaric grabbed her wrist, "Leave it, I'll do it. You go rest."
Cordelia was taken aback, and Alaric took the empty bowls into the kitchen to wash them. She stood silently, watching Alaric's back for a few seconds, then went upstairs.
With work tomorrow, Cordelia washed up and lay in bed. Alaric didn't come upstairs until she was asleep. In her sleepy haze, she felt someone lie down beside her.
The next morning, Cordelia opened her eyes and immediately looked beside her, but Alaric was gone. She pushed aside her feelings of disappointment, got up, washed up, and went downstairs.
Hearing sounds from the kitchen, she knew Saskia was back. She walked down, ready to talk to Saskia, but saw Alaric sitting on the couch. He held a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other.
Cordelia looked closer and realized Alaric was reading her medical book. Seeing her come down, Alaric glanced up at her, then quickly put it on the table.
"Awake?" he asked.
Cordelia nodded lightly. Saskia had just finished breakfast and called them to eat. "Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Hughes, breakfast is ready."
Alaric nodded slightly and got up to go to the dining room.
Cordelia pressed her lips together. She couldn't tell if it was her imagination, but Alaric seemed particularly gentle towards her lately. It felt like they had returned to the polite and respectful relationship they had before Janet came back into their lives.