Free Web NovelChapter 44: Chapter 44
Aria’s POV
"No, nothing," Peter said quickly, waving it off. His tone was casual again, but there was an edge to it. "Come on, breakfast is ready. Let’s eat."
I nodded slowly, but the unease didn’t leave me. As he turned to go toward the kitchen, I felt the weight of something unfamiliar pressing against me, like the silence between us had grown heavier.
I shifted Lana in my arms, her chubby hands waving in the air as she babbled, her big eyes watching Peter. She seemed to be in a better mood now, her little face lighting up with a smile.
"She’s probably starving", Peter said with a smile.
"I’ll get her bottle ready," I said, my voice soft as I stroked Lana’s cheek. "and freshen up too, before the food gets cold."
It wasn’t long before I emerged from the bedroom, a change of clothes making me feel slightly more human. I sat at the dining table, Lana in my arms, and I stared at the spread in front of us. There were golden fried eggs, fluffy pancakes, fresh bread, and a pitcher of milk.
It was... lavish. Far too much for just the two of us. I laughed softly, shaking my head. "Peter, we’re only two people. Why’d you go all out like this?"
He scratched the back of his head, a shy grin spreading across his face. "I read somewhere that new moms need extra nutrition, even after the baby’s born. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I made a bit of everything."
His earnestness hit me like a wave, a warm and tender feeling rising in my chest. A faint smile tugged at my lips. I never would have guessed that the young intern I’d once helped, the one I’d barely paid any mind to, would be the one to care for me so thoughtfully. It was strange, how life worked, how the lowest points could sometimes lead to the most unexpected places.
I sighed softly, taking a bite of the tender fried egg, savoring the simple comfort of the moment. It was small, but it was enough. This was good, it felt good.
I made a silent promise to myself, to Lana, and to Peter, that one day, I’d find a way to repay him for everything he’d done.
As I chewed, the words came out before I could stop them. "Don’t you have work today?" My voice was familiar, almost maternal in its tone. But the moment the words left my mouth, a stab of regret shot through me. Peter is my landlord now. Why does it still feel so... casual?
But to my relief, he didn’t seem to mind. He just shrugged with easy confidence, answering as if it was nothing.
"I work for a private law firm, mostly behind the scenes. I rarely need to go in. Hemsworth Group usually only calls me in for short meetings in the afternoons."
In the mornings, I play basketball or cook... But we’re running low on groceries. I was thinking of going out to pick some things up later. Wanna come along?"
I hesitated for a moment, my mind shifting between the idea of getting groceries and the unexpected sense of comfort I felt with Peter. It had been so long since I’d ventured out, since I’d done something normal, and despite everything, something in me just wanted a piece of that.
"Sure, sounds good," I finally agreed, the words leaving my mouth easier than I expected.
I flashed him a warm smile, trying to push aside the sharp ache that still lingered from the days before, the remnants of the life I’d left behind.
I turned my attention to Lana, who was contentedly nursing in my arms. She was so small, so fragile, and yet she was everything I needed to hold onto. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
I tickled her tiny hand, and she let out a soft gurgle of laughter, her eyes crinkling in delight.
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The market was a whirlwind of color and noise. Vendors shouted their wares, their voices blending with the sizzling sounds of oil from roadside stalls. The smell of fried food mixed with the earthy scent of fresh produce and spices, the air thick with the lively activities of daily life.
My senses buzzed with the chaos, the chatter, the music, the energy of a thousand people going about their day. My wolf stirred within me, its heightened senses flaring to life, making every sound and scent more vivid than I had ever noticed.
I glanced down at Lana, who had her eyes wide open, taking in the world around her. Her face lit up in a big grin, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. The joy on her face was so pure, so full of wonder. It made the weight of everything else fade just for a moment.
I hadn’t expected such liveliness in this seemingly remote suburban area. The market felt almost out of place here, tucked away among the quiet streets of this neighborhood. It was a surprise, but a welcome one.
Peter caught the look of surprise in my eyes and leaned closer, his voice low and friendly. "This place is near the university district, so it’s a hotspot for students renting cheap apartments. It’s technically the suburbs, but the subway makes it easy to get downtown. Lots of young men from Asterfell also choose to live here and take the subway to work."
I nodded, understanding now why the street had such a different vibe from what I had expected. The energy, the diversity, it was all new and unfamiliar, and yet somehow familiar at the same time.
We paused at a vegetable stall, the air thick with the earthy scent of fresh produce. Peter casually picked up a pair of plump, ruby-red tomatoes and waved them in front of me.
"Aria, do you like tomatoes?" His voice was casual, almost playful, but I could sense the underlying kindness, the effort he was putting into making this day feel like something normal.
I stared at the tomatoes for a moment, my breath catching in my throat. They were so bright, so vivid, their skin smooth and perfect in a way that seemed almost too good to be true.
My eyes watered slightly as memories began to flood back, unbidden.
