?Chapter 538:


    The hours ticked by as the night grew darker. Cedric led Dani back to their bedroom.


    Theforting familiarity of the room eased Dani’s tension little by little.


    Cedric settled down across from her, holding out a ss of water. Dani simply shook her head.


    With a soft sigh, he set the ss down, his attention returning to her.


    “I wasn’t really paying attention. My mind was elsewhere, and I didn’t notice Joyce’s actions. Then you came downstairs.


    You got upset, right?”


    Dani shook her head again but then gave a small nod. Cedric smiled slightly.


    “You’re upset with Joyce, not me, aren’t you?”


    Hearing that name brought a flicker of anger to Dani’s gaze.


    Cedric reached for Dani’s hand and cleaned it with a wet wipe.


    “I can handle myself. I just wasn’t paying attention earlier. Don’t let it upset you.”


    His tone was gentle, almost like calming a child.


    “But it bothers me too—it hurts right here.”


    He guided Dani’s hand to rest over his chest.


    She observed him in silence.


    The moonlight streaming through the tall window softened Cedric’s sharp features. Dani noticed her own reflection mirrored in his steady gaze.


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    Then Cedric spoke, his voice steady.


    “Dani, I love you. I always will.


    You don’t need to worry about anyone else. I’ll keep myself safe, and you can have anything pure and real from me.”


    Dani’s face softened, the anger fading and reced by a calm, deeper longing.


    “Why don’t we get some rest now?” Cedric suggested, patting Dani’s hand gently.


    He crouched down to grab the ss from the floor, nning to set it on the table. But just as he reached for it, a hand gripped his wrist.


    He nced over, and before he could fully process what was happening, something soft grazed his lips. A tender warmth brushed against him, stirring something deep within.


    Cedric felt his heart soften, almost melting at the touch. At first, he let Dani’s hesitant kiss continue, but her soft, impatient sounds made him chuckle before he leaned in to return the gesture fully.


    It wasn’t long before hisughter faded, overtaken by a deep, smoldering desire.


    Cedric kept the ss in one hand while his other arm wrapped around Dani’s waist.


    In the past, she had always held back, and Cedric never pressured her.


    He allowed her to set the pace for everything between them.


    He would always give in to whatever she desired. Even when his desire for her burned fiercely, he’d cool off with a cold shower.


    He had a feeling she was holding something back, or maybe she was leaving him a way out. He couldn’t understand why she thought he needed that. He didn’t. He never wanted an escape.


    But because it mattered to her, he went along with it without question.


    Now, as Dani’s hands reached for the buttons of Cedric’s shirt, his expression turned serious in an instant. He pulled away slightly, his voice soft yet firm.


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