?Chapter 415:


    Dani was busy scrutinizing a business proposal. By the time Caiden stirred from his ufortable sleep, dawn was breaking.


    Dani remained focused on her work at the dining table while Caiden lingered in the living room, his gaze fixed on her. For a fleeting moment, he imagined he saw Brylee. He tried to speak, but his words caught in his throat.


    Realization hit him; he didn’t know how to face Brylee.


    She had entrusted Dani to him, expecting him to cherish and protect her.


    Yet, he had let her down, failing both as a spouse and a father.


    Under his watch, Brylee’s once-prosperouspany had declined.


    The shame was too much for him to bear.


    Caiden stood motionless for a while, gradually sobering. He then moved to the kitchen, warmed some milk, and set it next to Dani.


    “I heard from Cedric you’ve been having trouble sleeping. This milk’s from your fridge, but it’s on me. Have some; it might help you rest,” Caiden said, cing a hundred-dor bill next to the mug.


    Dani didn’t look up from her work.


    “No need.”


    “Why turn down a simple act of kindness? It’s just milk.” Dani had been reading all night, her eyes showing signs of strain. She blinked and then resumed wearing her anti-fatigue sses.


    “Can we drop the act?”


    Caiden felt a sting from her cold tone.


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    “I’m not acting. I saw you were tired and thought the milk might help. Why would you think I have ulterior motives?”


    Dani offered a faint smile, her attention returning to the documents, though she seemed less interested.


    She had long understood that she must rely on herself in this world.


    Without looking up from her reading, Dani spoke.


    “I’m beyond the point where small gestures affect me. I wear a coat if it’s cold, and turn on the air if it’s hot. I’m fully capable of looking after myself. I don’t need you, got it? To me, anything unnecessary is just an act. Keep your money and give me space, or I might have to ask you to leave to spare us both any unease. Perhaps then, you’ll grasp the true cost of losing what little dignity you have left.”


    Caiden’s face was etched with sadness as he looked at Dani.


    In his eyes, she remained the joyful little girl who once hugged his leg, but she had grown so distant and cold.


    “Regardless of what you believe, I truly wish to do right by you,” he said.


    Dani remained expressionless, offering no reply to his heartfelt plea.


    Dani expected Caiden to leave, but instead, he remained in ce. Without saying a word, he pulled out a chair and took a seat.


    “I did love your mother. To say I wasn’t drawn to her wealth would be a lie. But I needed my pride, too.


    Your mother’s sess intimidated me, and honestly, there were moments I felt uneasy. When I married Katrina, I focused only on myself. That’s because I’d been holding back my feelings for too long. I just wanted some breathing space after being suffocated.”


    At his words, Dani’s gaze faltered for a moment. She let out a soft, sarcasticugh.


    “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that you can’t have it all? You want an easy life without lifting a finger, but you can’t hate my mother for being sessful.


    You chose Joyce, so don’t expect anything from me. It’s best not to be too greedy.”


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