Chapter 643

Cedric lifted his face and met Daniela's eyes.

There was something about them-dark, still, like he was always watching too closely.

"I saw the news." Cedric paused for a moment. "I saw you crying."

Daniela gave a small nod. "It was for the cameras."

Cedric nodded, and whatever sadness lingered in his eyes started to fade. "Okay."

Daniela hadn't seen him in days and thought he had given up.

But now, he was standing here.

She stayed quiet for a beat, then looked at him."You don't have to take all the blame on yourself."

Cedric glanced up, catching her eyes in the soft,fading light.

"| don't remember those three years. It's all a blank.But I know myself. I don't truust easily. If I gave Josie the key, it had to mean something. Everyone has weaknesses. You, me, and even Josie. You can't predict everyone's future actions. You were just acting with good intentions; it's not your fault," Daniela said.

Cedric's shoulders shook just a little.

The light behind him turned the front of him into shadow.

She added, "If this is eating you up that badly, maybe we do need to end this. Maybe letting go is the only way you'll ever feel free."

As Cedric turned to leave, Daniela reminded him,"Think it through. Come find me when you know what you want."

Right after he left, Carol walked in. "What did you just tell Cedric? He looked like he was about to fall apart."

Daniela pressed her lips together and said nothing.

The next day came.

With cameras flashing and reporters watching,Daniela stepped out of the Elite Lux building.

She made her way to her previous villa. Her smile was tight, almost sad. "My mom bought this place. She told me it would be mine one day-when I got married.But Caiden and Joyce are still living here. I've tried talking to them. They won't leave. The furniture inside?Those were my mother's favorites. She's not here anymore. And I'm her daughter. I should at least make sure her things are being treated right.

Daniela let out a heavy sighas cameras clicked around her.

Once again, the crowd turned their anger towards Caiden and Joyce.

Daniela saw Cedric standing outside the villa.

She raised one brow, caught off guard.

"What are you doing here?"

She didn't expect him to show up this soon.

"Did you make a decision?" she asked.

Cedric shook his head. "Not yet."

Daniela held his gaze.

"I don't trust them," he said. "I want to go in with you."

That made Daniela smile.

Carol gave a low chuckle. "Those two? You think they can actually push her around?"

Cedric kept his eyes on Daniela. This time, he looked sure of himself. "I'm going with you."

Daniela gave a small nod. "Alright then. Let's go." They walked past the old warehouse. It stil stood,burned out and broken, untouched since the explosion.

Daniela slowed down when they reached it, then quietly kept walking into the villa.

The maid stiffened when she saw them. "Who are you?What gives you the right to burst into someone else's home like this?"

Daniela turned her head and spoke evenly. "This place belongs to me."

Recognition hit the maid all at once. She realized who was standing in front of her. Her voice rose as she called out, "Sir, Daniela's here!"

Caiden had just started down the stairs. But the moment he heard her voice, he froze, then quietly turned back.

His steps were careful, but when he locked his door,the click was far too loud. Downstairs, they all heard it.

The maid looked away, clearly embarrassed

More locks clicked behind him.

Daniela's eyes landed on the table. It was covered in expensive wine and untouched food. She turned to the maid. "What's your name?" "You can call me Tasha, the maid replied.

Daniela glanced upstairs and gave a small nod. "Looks like they're not coming down. All this food, and they're just going to let it sit? Guess the three of us will have to judge your cooking instead."

They all took their seats at the table.

Tasha Byrd had clearly done something right. Even Caiden, who was known for turning up his nose at most dishes,wouldn't have complained.

Carol kept her head low as she ate.

Cedric kept his eyes on Daniela while she placed a crab claw onto his plate. "Go ahead. Try it."

That was when he finally started eating.

There was a quiet fear in him now. Daniela talked about divorce like it was no big deal, and that shook him in a way he hadn't expected.

If she hadn't shown up today, he never would've had the courage to come back. Not with the way things had been.

As Cedric chewed in silence, Daniela reached for a shrimp and peeled it slowly. "Tasha, which rooms are they staying in now?" "The master room and the brightest guest room."Tasha replied.

Those used to be Brylee's and Daniela's. Of course,they picked the best ones.

"I'll move in tomorrow. Get two guest rooms ready downstairs. That's where Caiden and Joyce will stay,"Daniela said, her fingers setting the peeled shrimp onto Cedric's plate.

She didn't even realize what she was doing until it was done.

And when it happened, both of Daniela and Cedric froze.