Chapter 29: Keeping Composure
Upon hearing those words, Sebastian was taken aback. De exclaimed in surprise, “Did you just say she cooked for me at noon?”
Lydia nodded with a smile, feeling relieved. She said, “Indeed, Mr. Lockhart. I initially thought that Mrs. Lockhart, with her delicate and tender skin, would definitely not be able to tolerate the smell of kitchen smoke. However, when she insisted on preparing something for you—a love-filled packed lunch—I just couldn’t stop her.”
After Sebastian heard that, his expression subtly shifted. “However, it was only when I saw Mrs. Lockhart cooking with my own eyes that I realized how skilled she was. Her movements were nothing like those of a novice in the kitchen, fumbling around. Instead, she seemed like someone who cooked regularly. Later on, Mrs. Lockhart told me that she had learned all these things by observing her mother cook at home. I thought to myself then, ‘Mrs. Lockhart is not only beautiful but also smart. Mr. Lockhart, you’re truly blessed to have married her!’”
Without reservation, Lydia lavishly praised Madelyn, finding herself quite satisfied. Seeing the two of them so deeply in love, Old Mrs. Lockhart would surely have been very pleased!
Upon hearing all that, Sebastian was genuinely taken aback. Who would’ve thought that Madelyn, with her usual casual and easygoing personality, is actually a capable cook? I thought the steak today was just Lydia wanting to try cooking a different dish after learning something new. Unexpectedly, it was Madelyn who had prepared it. No wonder she looked at me with anticipation during mealtime and asked if the steak was tasty, Sebastian thought to himself. It seems I don’t fully understand Madelyn after all.
Subsequently, Sebastian ascended the stairs with an ice pack in hand. Just as he reached the top of the staircase, a scream echoed from the bathroom. “Ah!”
Inside the bathroom, Madelyn had just finished taking a bath and was about to get dressed. Unexpectedly, the floor was wet and slippery. Madelyn lost her footing and took another tumble. Madelyn, naked, was sprawled out on the floor. She cursed inwardly for her misfortune. She had already taken quite a few tumbles that day, but that last fall felt as if it had nearly broken her apart.
Just then, the bathroom door was abruptly pushed open, and Sebastian rushed in. Upon entering, he was immediately greeted by the enticing scene. Upon seeing Sebastian, Madelyn instinctively covered her chest, exclaiming, “Why are you barging in?”
Upon seeing that she was unharmed, Sebastian calmed down. “What happened to you?” Madelyn immediately clutched her chest, her mind in panic, as she attempted to stand up. All the while, she said, “I’m fine. I just wasn’t careful. Ah!”
Just as she got up, a sudden wave of ache shot through her ankle. Clearly, she had twisted it earlier. And so, Madelyn stumbled once more, her entire body lunging forward. Fortunately, Sebastian was quick to react, swiftly catching her in his arms.
However, the moment he touched her smooth and tender skin, Sebastian’s senses were stimulated. In addition, just after her bath, Madelyn’s cheeks were flushed pink. At that moment, she was nestled against Sebastian’s chest, and Sebastian’s breathing gradually became increasingly erratic, as if he was struggling to keep calm.
Sebastian knew that things couldn’t continue this way. Therefore, with a lift of his hand, he pulled down a bath towel and wrapped Madelyn’s wet body with it in a few quick movements. Only then could Sebastian forcefully keep his composure.
Following that, he gently lifted Madelyn, carrying her and laying her on the bed. As he was about to lift her leg onto the bed, Madelyn cried out, “Ah, it hurts!”
Sebastian furrowed his brows. Looking at her pristine feet, he asked, “Where were you hurt earlier?” Madelyn could only bite her lip and obediently respond, “I fell and sprained my ankle.”
Sebastian couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows slightly. Without uttering a single word, he turned around to leave. Seeing him about to leave, Madelyn instantly grew anxious. Disregarding her slipping bath towel, she rushed forward and grabbed Sebastian’s clothes. “Where are you going?”
Sebastian turned his head to look at her, just in time to catch a glimpse of her naked body. With just a single glance, Sebastian quickly diverted his gaze. He looked elsewhere and said coldly, “I’m going to fetch the first-aid kit.”
“Oh.” Only then did Madelyn utter an acknowledgment, releasing him. Then, Madelyn obediently returned to the bed, wrapping the bath towel around herself once more. Not long after, Sebastian came over carrying a medicine box. Then, he sat by the bed, swiftly opening the medical kit. Turning to her, he said, “Stretch out your leg.”
In ancient times, women were extremely cautious about men seeing their feet. If their legs were seen, the women would have to pledge themselves to the men. At that moment, Madelyn began to feel shy. She carefully extended her immaculate leg. When Sebastian’s icy hand touched her foot, Madelyn couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp. “Ah.”
Upon hearing the sound, Sebastian couldn’t help but curl his lips into a faint smile. Looking up at her, Sebastian couldn’t help but ask softly, “Does it hurt a lot?” Madelyn also realized she had let out a cry. How embarrassing. Her face turned red in an instant. “It doesn’t hurt.”
“That’s good, then.” The curve of Sebastian’s mouth lingered as if he was yearning for more.
Following that, Sebastian focused on the task. He held her calf with one hand, her foot with the other, and with a slight exertion of strength, he pushed upward. “Ah!” This time, Madelyn let out a soft gasp of pain. However, that cry didn’t quite sound like pain; instead, it carried a hint of ambiguity.
Madelyn’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She quickly covered her mouth, berating herself internally for crying out like that in front of Sebastian again. How mortifying! “C–Could you be a bit gentler? It hurts,” Madelyn murmured softly.
Sebastian nonchalantly raised his eyebrows, his tone carrying a hint of ambiguity. “I will.” Following that, he devoted his full attention to her ankle, applying medicine and massaging it with practiced ease. Gradually, Sebastian’s palm started to warm up.
Beyond that, Sebastian did not show any other reaction. His expression was neither sad nor joyful, incredibly indifferent. Madelyn couldn’t help but worry, thinking that Sebastian was just too nonchalant. After all, I’m not wearing anything inside. He even saw me naked earlier, yet he remains so composed. That’s not right. Shouldn’t a normal man have some kind of physiological reaction?
Madelyn found herself questioning if Sebastian actually had no feelings for her at all. So, is he really that aloof, or could it be that I simply don’t have what it takes to pique his interest? If the issue truly lies with me, aren’t I too much of a failure? Of course, Madelyn also wanted to take the initiative. She wanted to stride forward, to knock Sebastian off his feet, to assert herself over him, forcing him to yield. However, such thoughts could only be entertained in her mind. For a girl, doing such things was still quite embarrassing.