Free Web NovelChapter 90: Chapter 90 Confronting Reality
Sylvia’s POV
The moment I stepped through the front door of Caesar’s house, my wolf tensed.
There they were—Caesar and Helena—seated a little too close together on the living room couch. The sight hit me like ice water down the spine.
For a split second, instinct screamed at me to turn around, to sidestep the drama and spare myself the headache.
But I didn’t move.
I’d done enough running lately—enough hiding out at my family estate, licking wounds and pretending I didn’t care.
That wasn’t who I was. Not really.
And if Helena had already made herself comfortable here, acting like she belonged, then why was I the one acting like an outsider in my own mate’s territory?
Hell no.I wasn’t built for retreat.
As I walked further into the room, my spine straightened, my chin lifted a fraction.
I didn’t say a word, but the air shifted.
Helena saw me first. Her eyes flicked up, and I caught the flicker of panic before she masked it with a tight-lipped smile.
She was clearly wondering if I’d tell Caesar about our little run-in at the department store—her fake sweetness, her veiled digs.
I didn’t give her the satisfaction.
My face stayed neutral, unreadable.
Let her stew in her own paranoia.
Caesar looked up, his silver-blue eyes warming instantly at the sight of me.
“Sivi,” Caesar’s voice drifted in from the dining room, low and smooth—like aged whiskey poured over ice.
Just the way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine.
“Come join us for dinner,” he added. “I made your favorites.”
Before I could say a word, Helena cut in with that syrupy tone of hers—too sweet to be real.
“That’s right, Sylvia,” she chimed, eyes wide with faux delight. “I’ve been absolutely spoiled here. Caesar never used to cook for anyone, but lately? Let’s just say I’ve been well-fed.”
I didn’t even need to respond. Caesar’s jaw tightened as he gave her a sharp look.
“Just eat your food,” he muttered, the irritation clear in his voice.
Helena’s smile twitched, faltering for the first time all evening.
She stabbed a cherry tomato like it had personally insulted her, then looked up and met my gaze—steady, defiant.
I didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. I met her stare with a cool, effortless smile. The kind that said: I see you. And I’m not impressed.
She shifted in her seat.
Her posture lost its perfect poise. Her fork hovered mid-air.
“Fine,” she muttered. “Let’s just eat.”
I stepped forward, finally accepting Caesar’s invitation.
“Don’t mind if I do,” I said casually, brushing past her.
I caught the faint clench of her jaw and tucked it away for later satisfaction. freēwēbnovel.com
Caesar, oblivious to the silent battle playing out beside him, pulled out my chair like this was some cozy family dinner.
“You must be starving,” he said, clearly pleased I didn’t resist this time.
I gave him a slight nod and sat directly across from Helena—positioned perfectly so she’d have to look at me every time she lifted her head.
Her expression kept shifting—smile, scowl, back to smile again.
Like she couldn’t decide which version of herself to wear tonight.
I swirled my wine and tilted my head.
“Careful, Helena,” I said lightly. “Your face might get stuck like that.”
Her fork froze. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, don’t worry,” I replied, voice smooth as silk. “You’re close to mastering the art of hiding jealousy. Just takes practice.”
She blinked, caught off guard by how direct I was.
Caesar glanced between us, eyebrows twitching slightly, but before he could speak, Helena forced a hollow laugh.
“Jealousy? Of you?” Her voice cracked around the edges. “Please.”
I smiled, biting into the grilled salmon. “Sure. And I’m just here for the salad.”
That shut her up.
The rest of dinner passed with Caesar trying to keep things light, tossing out bits of conversation, but Helena barely touched her plate.
Every time she looked up, I was watching her—not aggressively, just... observantly.
My gaze never wavered, never apologized.
She couldn’t call me out on it without seeming petty, so she kept her head down, shoveling food into her mouth before escaping to her room.
I could tell she’d wanted to storm off dramatically, but couldn’t bring herself to waste Caesar’s cooking—another small victory for me.
I found her discomfort oddly satisfying.
I took a slow sip of water, the rim of the glass cool against my lips, and let my gaze drift sideways.
Caesar was sitting next to me, sleeves rolled halfway up, methodically peeling shrimp like it was the most natural thing in the world.
His hands moved with quiet precision, and it wasn’t lost on me that he was doing it for me—not himself.
What caught me off guard more than the shrimp, though, was the silence.
I’d been bracing myself all evening for a lecture.
It struck me as curious that Helena hadn’t mentioned our mall encounter to him.
I’d been bracing myself for an interrogation this evening, had mentally prepared my responses, but instead found this surprisingly domestic scene.
“Here,” Caesar said, placing the peeled shrimp gently into my bowl.
His voice was low, softer than usual. “You’re not eating much. Something on your mind?” freēwēbnovel.com
I blinked, caught off guard by the tenderness in his tone.
“Just thinking,” I said casually, popping the shrimp into my mouth before he could ask anything else.
He watched me chew with the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Not smug—just... content.
I could practically hear the wheels turning in his head. —Was the ice between us finally thawing?
In truth, I was simply reflecting on how he’d taken my side against Helena.
Perhaps he wasn’t entirely the villain I’d painted him to be.
I wasn’t ready to forgive everything, but I was willing to observe more, to gather more data before making my final judgment.
After Helena retreated to her room, the atmosphere lightened considerably.
Caesar continued to serve me choice morsels from the dishes, and I accepted them without resistance.
The dinner ended on a pleasant note.
