Chapter 853

Daniela had been asleep for a long time, her body worn down by stress and the passionate sex with Cedric.

When she finally stirred, night had already fallen.

Outside,relentless rain hammered the roof,filling the world with a steady,rhythmic roar.

"Awake?"

A soft golden lamp glowed in the room, casting a gentle pool of light. The first thing Daniela saw was

Cedric sitting nearby, watching her quietly.

She shut her eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "I'm hungry."

At her words, Cedric's lips curved into a small,genuine smile. The icy edge that usually haunted his expression melted away.

He slipped downstairs and soon returned with food.Daniela took a few slow bites, washed it down with water, and burrowed back under the blanket, letting the soothing sound of the rain lull her deeper into comfort.

For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to sink into silent reflection.

Cedric set the food aside and stretched out beside her,gently gathering Daniela into his arms.

As rain drummed steadily on the windows, Daniela patted his hand and murmured, "I'm alright now. You don't have to be sad."

Cedric stayed silent, but in the darkness, his eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion, the weight of everything pressing quietly on his heart.

Daniela shifted, meeting his eyes before closing the distance and pressing her lips to his.

Their kiss this time brimmed with warmth and affection, a world apart from the desperate, almost self-sacrificing way they'd clung to each other the night before.

Cedric's touch was unhurried, his hands moving with careful reverence as if determined to let Daniela savor every second of closeness.

When their bodies finally stilled, the world outside had changed-the rain had faded into a tranquil hush.Sleep tugged at Daniela, and she drifted in and out of Cedric's arms, waking only to nibble a few more bites of food he offered her. Restlessness returned; she pushed herself upright,sitting cross-legged to face him.

The position didn't last-Cedric reached for her,his arms looping around her waist and tugging her effortlessly against his chest.

She let him, sprawling back with lazy abandon, then broke the silence with a soft question. "When did you find out?"

Cedric understood instantly-she meant her aversion to blood.

She continued, "I used to rely on tranquilizer, so most people never picked up on it."

Cedric simply answered, "A long time ago."

She tilted her head as she pressed on. "How long ago?"

"Back when you were still chasing Alexander.One night at a bar, you went to get him a drink.Someone near the counter had blood on their mouth.You saw it,hesitated for a second, and left as quickly as you could."

Daniela blinked in surprise. "Then you found out?"

The memory was vague-just a flash of red at someone's lips, hardly enough to notice,and she'd hidden any reaction beneath a calm exterior. Only Carol and a handful of trusted friends even knew about her phobia.

She'd always been careful, always kept her guard up.

"That's right. After that, I made sure to steer clear of any red dishes when I cooked."

Understanding dawned on Daniela. "So that's why Carol kept begging you to make spicy food, and you always refused."

Cedric chuckled, tightening his arms around her."Don't worry. Your fear of blood isn't a flaw. With me here,no one will ever use it against you."

The reassurance eased her, and she smiled,chatting with him quietly until sleepiness pulled at her eyelids again.

Cedric gently coaxed her to rest, tucking her snugly beneath the blanket.

He gathered the half-finished meal, ready to take it downstairs, when a small hand slipped from beneath the blanket and caught his sleeve.

"Where are you going?" Daniela's voice was barely above a whisper, her features softened by the warm glow of the bedside lamp.

Cedric paused, his expression gentle. "I'm just clearing these up. I'll be right back."

Her fingers loosened, and she nodded. After a moment, she murmured, "Don't blame Nikolas and Damon."

His eyes darkened, but he didn't argue. He simply brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead and said,"Alright. Rest now."

The night dragged on,quiet and slow.

Wrapped in Cedric's arms, Daniela slept more soundly than she had in a long time, soothed by the warmth of his steady heartbeat.

By the time she stirred, pale daylight was already spilling through the curtains.

Cedric was across the room, moving his things upstairs with an efficiency that made it look effortless.

She watched him, her voice a bit hoarse when she spoke. "What are you doing?"

Cedric paused and glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile playing at his lips.

He doubted Daniela realized it herself, but every time she spoke in that soft, sleepy tone, it made her sound impossibly sweet.

He hung his shirts in the wardrobe beside hers, arranging his jackets and setting their shoes side by side. "We're married, aren't we? It only makes sense that our things go together."

Daniela studied him, amused. "So you're moving in for good? Sharing my bed every night?"

Cedric met her gaze, his tone casual and absolute.

"Of course. We're husband and wife."

There was no argument in her. Daniela stretched her arm out from beneath the blanket, a sly grin curving her lips. "Well then, help me find something to wear."

Cedric took the most comfortable home clothes from the wardrobe and handed them to Daniela. "From now on,I'll handle these little things."

As she dressed, her voice muffled behind a curtain of fabric, she asked, "So what's left for me to do?"

Her head popped through the neckline just as Cedric closed the distance, his hand gentle on her waist.

He pressed his lips to hers-a kiss meant to be brief,but desire made him linger, stealing her breath and coaxing a soft laugh from her throat.

Only when he finally let her go did he answer, "All you need to do is let me spoil you with kisses."