Chapter 19
Grace frowned but ultimately swallowed the words lingering on the tip of her tongue. “Lettie, I think you should reconsider what I said. I’ll get going, now,” she said firmly. Her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor as she left the office. Cedric, meanwhile, turned his attention to the cakes on the desk. His face lit up with excitement as if nothing else mattered. “Finally! They’ve arrived! Lettie, you have to try these! This place has been super popular lately!” He rambled on cheerfully, completely unaware of the complicated look flickering in Scarlett’s eyes.
After dropping off the cakes for Zoe, Leroy headed home. But on the way back, Grace’s words from earlier replayed in his mind. They’re divorced now. They’re on separate paths. That should be the end of it. And yet, Leroy couldn’t shake the lingering frustration. “Leroy, why are you home so early today?” Yvonne’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.
He looked up instinctively.
She was dressed casually in a sporty hoodie and leggings, her youthful energy shining through in a way that reminded him of the little girl who used to trail after him. “I’m on leave. Oh, and I brought you some cake,” Leroy replied. He handed her the box, and Yvonne blinked in surprise. “I thought you hated sweets, Leroy. You’ve been that way ever since we were kids. This is from that dessert shop I’ve been dying to try! Thanks, Leroy!” She beamed at him, and for a fleeting moment, Leroy felt like a warm breeze had swept past him. But the hollow feeling in his chest lingered. Her earlier words echoed faintly in his mind.
Even Yvonne, whom he hadn’t seen in years, still remembered his preferences. But would Scarlett? He had spent years learning every detail about Scarlett, memorizing her likes and dislikes, making sure her life flowed as seamlessly as possible. And then Cedric’s arrival had shattered it all. Leroy forced a strained smile. “It’s just something I picked up for a coworker. I bought a little extra. I’m heading home now.” Without waiting for a response, he left in a hurry, leaving Yvonne with a fleeting sense of disappointment, though it quickly passed.
As soon as Leroy stepped through his front door, he was met by Olivia’s concerned gaze, her eyes immediately locking onto him. “I just saw you talking to Yvonne outside. So, what’s going on between you two? How far have things progressed?” Her curiosity was palpable, her eyes sparkling with that nosy energy Leroy knew all too well. He sighed, shaking his head. “Mom, what are you even thinking? Nothing is going on between us. Can you stop asking?” Not waiting for her response, Leroy turned and headed straight to his room, shutting the door behind him.
To him, Yvonne was nothing more than a little sister; there were no deeper feelings involved. Besides, having just escaped the chaos of one relationship, the idea of falling in love again felt impossible.
At Willow Bay Dining, Cedric was basking in the spotlight. The spacious private room was buzzing with energy as his relatives showered him with endless praise. “Ced, you’re incredible! You even managed to get us into such an exclusive restaurant!” “We knew you were destined for success, even back then! That’s right! We’re all counting on you now, Cedric!” The flattery flowed nonstop, and Cedric soaked it all up with laughter and lively chatter, the noise spilling out into the hall. Indeed, every accomplishment, every bit of praise, was proof of his own brilliance.
Cedric stood tall and proud, completely immersed in the attention. But the atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. “There’s a guest from a next room. They’ve asked to make your acquaintance,” a waiter said as he stepped into the room, carefully balancing a tray.