Chapter 349: Grocery Shopping

If one wasn't familiar with Paula, her pretense would have gone undetected. A hint of mockery flickered in Cecilia's beautiful, profound eyes.

"Who are you planning to pawn me off to this time? Or are you using me for some advantage?"

Suddenly exposed, Paula's façade crumbled. "Haven't I told you not to look at me like that?" she snapped, glaring at Cecilia, wishing she could inflict physical harm.

Cecilia remained unmoved. "Would you prefer to leave on your own, or shall I show you the door?"

Paula left empty-handed. On her way home, Cecilia's chilling gaze haunted her. The thought of Magnus revealing their father's secret will—a will bequeathing the company to Cecilia, not Regas's son—consumed her. Her fury was so intense she felt like desecrating Regas's grave. "Even in death, you won't let me be at peace," she muttered. Some people spend a lifetime healing from childhood wounds.

Cecilia stood rooted to the spot, watching Paula drive away. Suddenly, a coat fell on her back. She turned to find Calvin behind her, having approached unnoticed.

"Calvin, when did you arrive?"

"Unfortunately, just as Paula left," he replied.

Cecilia's gaze dropped. "I must have made a fool of myself."

Calvin gently brushed snow from her hair. "Why are you talking as if we're strangers? We've been close friends since childhood, haven't we?"

Cecilia nodded tearfully. Shortly after, she asked, "Did you come for a specific reason?"

"Martha sent for me," Calvin said.

Cecilia understood Martha's intentions. As he started toward the house, she grabbed his shirt. "Calvin, don't take Martha's words to heart. She's concerned, hoping to find someone to care for me. But I don't need looking after. I've long been capable of caring for others."

A bitter taste filled Calvin's throat. Was this a rejection? He refused to believe it.

"Ceci, what are you thinking? We're good friends. Martha just invited me for dinner." He ruffled her hair.

Cecilia's face flushed crimson. She had misunderstood; she'd thought Martha was trying to match them. Her attempt to clarify the situation proved unnecessary. The atmosphere lightened.

"All right, I'll go grocery shopping later. Let me know what you'd like to eat."

Calvin's heart stirred at her relaxed demeanor. "Anything's fine. I'll love whatever you make."

An idea struck Calvin. "Since I drove, how about we go grocery shopping together?"

"Sure."

Before leaving, Cecilia remembered Jonathan needed picking up. Nathaniel, she thought, only cared about bringing the child home, neglecting daily school duties. Cecilia called Sven for help.

It had been a while since her last grocery trip. She picked up carrots, knowing Nathaniel and Jonathan were picky eaters who refused to eat them. She was determined they would eat them that night. Calvin chose the rest of the ingredients.

During their shopping, Calvin received a call from his friend Yannick.

"I'm busy, what is it?"

"I'm at your office. What are you so busy with?" Yannick asked, like a concerned spouse.

Calvin's patience wore thin. "I'm grocery shopping with Cecilia. We're having dinner."

"Didn't you say Nathaniel is staying at her place?" Yannick exclaimed. "Calvin, you need some morals. He's her husband. You can't be the third wheel. That's not right…"

Calvin abruptly ended the call.