Chapter 494

Daniela rose to her feet, pity flickering in her eyes as she looked down at Caiden. "What a shame. You just wasted your final card."

Caiden's eyes stretched wide as he watched Daniela walk away. Panic clawed at his throat, forcing out a desperate yell. "Daniela, no! You're wrong! You got it all wrong! Come back! Please, come back!"

As Daniela disappeared through the door, Caiden realized with a sinking heart-it would be a long, long time before he saw her again.

The madhouse's heavy iron gate creaked open, then slowly groaned shut behind her.

Daniela slid into the car, her silence stretching across the entire ride.

Even the closest bonds could conceal a knife in the dark.

Memories of Caiden's kindness towards Brylee surfaced, each one slicing deeper than the last. As twilight thickened outside, Daniela's eyes stung with unshed emotion.

Back home,Daniela climbed the stairs, shut her door and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

By the time she stirred awake, a new day had already dawned.

Sunlight trickled through the sheer white curtains,bathing the room in a soft,golden glow.

Daniela opened her eyes to see a handsome face before her.

"You're awake, Daniela?"

She pushed herself up and gave a small nod.

"You were out for quite a while," Cedric remarked,setting a bowl of cereal on the table. "You must be starving. Freshen up and eat something." Daniela studied Cedric's face-calm, unreadable as ever.

Without a word, she stepped into the bathroom,let the hot water wash over her, and emerged a few minutes later.

Cedric picked up the hairdryer without hesitation,gently pushing her down onto the bed before running his fingers through her damp hair, drying it with quiet precision.

The soft hum of the dryer filled the room,a steady,soothing rhythm.

Daniela rarely let her mind drift, but now, her stare remained locked on the floor, thoughts swirling like an unrelenting tide.

As the dryer clicked off, she looked up slightly, only to find a bowl of cereal already waiting in front of her.

She finished the food quietly.

"Do you want anything else? I can bring it up. Let's take the day off-skip the office for once."As Cedric turned to leave, Daniela instinctively lifted her hand, reaching for his, but then paused.

She let her hand drop and asked, "Do you want to talk?"

Cedric remained standing while Daniela sat before him.

His eyes settled on her from above. "Sure."

He lowered himself into the seat across from her.

Daniela sat in silence for a moment before reaching into her bag and pulling out the divorce agreement she had prepared in advance.

" have a considerable amount of wealth. If we divorce, legally, half of it is yours. Here-take a look at the agreement." Her voice was steady.

Cedric's expression remained just as composed.

A slow heaviness settled in Daniela's chest. "|haven't been the best partner, not as a wife or a lover. But I was happy with you." Cedric didn't move, his expression unreadable.

Daniela pressed on. "The Harper family's villa has bad energy, so l won't include it. But I have other properties-new ones. They're all yours."

Cedric didn't respond, his silence stretching between them.

Daniela bit her lip, eyes lowering to the agreement.Then, in a quiet voice, she added, "If this isn't enough, there's another option."

Cedric's voice dropped. "What option?"

Daniela stated, "You understand that what I'm involved in comes with great risk. So, if you believe what I'm offering isn't enough, you can choose to stay with me. If anything happens to me, you will inherit every single thing I own. And I can promise you that no matter how dangerous my actions are,none of it will ever put you in harm's way. You will always be completely safe."

She let the words settle, silence stretching in their wake. Then, in a near whisper, she added, "Take your time. Choose whichever path you want."

Cedric leaned forward, picked up the divorce agreement, skimmed through it briefly, then set it back down.

He looked up at her. "Which choice do you want me to make?"

Daniela's teeth pressed into her lip, uncertainty creeping in. When she had woken up earlier, she had almost asked Cedric if he was afraid of her.

Anyone else would be, wouldn't they?

Sleeping next to someone like her--a bloodstained lunatic-should've terrified him.

So, she held back. Instead, she put everything on the table,hoping-just hoping-he would choose to stay.

She had long stopped believing in people and in love.Yet,with Cedric, a flicker of hope still remained.

It was underhanded, maybe even selfish, to tie him down with material wealth but what other choice did she have? In the end, this was all she had left to offer.

Cedric remained eerily calm, an edge of cold detachment in his demeanor so unlike the man she knew.

Something about his stillness made Daniela uneasy.

She hesitated. "If the risk is too much,you can-"

"Give me a child," Cedric cut in, his tone resolute.

Daniela froze, her mind scrambling. "What did you just say?"

Cedric wasn't about to let this chance slip away."I know what you're about to do. I also realize there's no way to make you change your mind, but in this relationship, I've truly given my entire heart. If you insist on risking yourself and something happens, I'lI be left all alone, which would be unbearable. I'm asking you to give me a child, someone to be with me in the future. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

Daniela's lashes fluttered as she processed his words. "What's wrong? You don't agree?" Cedric pressed.

Daniela narrowed her eyes. "I can't just hand you a child right this second."

Cedric's reply was instant, unwavering. "You carry the child. I'll take care of everything else. You won't have to lift a finger."