Chapter 377

Daniela glanced over her shoulder at Nina.

Nina was taken aback by how calmly Daniela handled the situation, even in such a tense moment.

"Believe whatever you want about us," Daniela said,her voice steady. "If we are something in your mind,then that's what we are."

Nina quickly shot back, "Really? People are saying Cedric stays here not because you love him, but because you just need a man. They say you're using him for your own desire."

Nina matched Daniela's pace, her voice growing sharper."I think I agree.You don't love Cedric,do you?Otherwise,how could you let people gossip about him like this?"

Daniela paused at the stairs,her fists clenching at her sides.She stayed silent, contemplating for a moment.

"If you stay quiet, I'll take that as an admission." Nina continued,taking full advantage of Daniela's silence.

Daniela didn't care about Nina's words; she feared nothing for herself. But when it came to Cedric, it was a different story. She couldn't risk him being hurt. With everything so uncertain, she saw no value in continuing the argument.

Daniela stayed quiet, and started up the stairs.

Just as she lifted her foot, Nina's smug voice rang out behind her. "Cedric, did you hear that? I told you.Daniela doesn't love you. She just admitted it."

Daniela froze mid-step, her heart pounding.

After a long, tense pause, she slowly turned her head and saw Cedric standing at the entrance with his luggage.

He looked drained, his eyes bloodshot, chest heaving with each heavy breath, his face full of stunned disbelief.

Their gazes locked from across the long hallway, the darkness between them seeming to stretch forever.

Nina stood triumphantly to the side and said, "Cedric,you heard that, right? Daniela just wants a man around,which is why she let you stay here. Do you still want to stay now?"

Nina continued, "Daniela, I'm sorry, but if you don't love him, you should be honest. I've only known Cedric briefly, but I can tell he values sincerity. It's not right to toy with his emotions like this." Nina said all of this, but Cedric remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Daniela remained silent as well. She didn't know what could possibly mend the situation.

The memory of Cedric's earlier confrontation resurfaced-he had always questioned her real intentions.

Nina lingered, phone in hand, as the three of them stood in suspense, waiting for a resolution.

This drama couldn't just end abruptly.

Daniela gripped the stair railing, her eyes faraway as she spoke. "It's up to you, Cedric. If you want to leave,I won't stop you."

With those words, Daniela turned and ascended the stairs,retreating to her room.

Once inside, she didn't sit. She waited, hoping Cedric would come up. She needed to explain herself to him.But he didn't come.

Over an hour later, the only sound she heard was the hum of a car engine starting outside.

Standing on the balcony, she watched the black car disappear into the darkness. After a moment, Daniela pressed her lips tight and lowered her gaze.

It hit her-she had hurt Cedric deeply.

That night, Daniela couldn't sleep. She sat wide awake on the wooden floor.

Old habits were hard to shake off.

She had become accustomed to having Cedric by her side at night.

With him gone, she couldn't bring herself to crawl into bed alone. Instead, she pondered whether revealing their relationship would be the right move.

Would that finallymake Cedric happy?

Would it clear away all his doubts and fears about whether she truly wanted him in her life?

Daniela spent the entire night mulling over this thought.

As morning light filtered into the villa, exhaustion clouded her mind.

Suddenly, an impulsive thought bloomed in her chest.

She wanted to shout to the world that Cedric was her husband. No more secrets, no more hiding. She couldn't wait another second.

She quickly changed into fresh clothes, put on her shoes, and hurried downstairs.

A powerful impulse drove her-she had to see Cedric right now.

But that rush of determination vanished the moment she reached the first floor. There, she saw Nina and Natalie.

"Hello, Daniela," Natalie greeted her with an air of polished professionalism. "I'm Natalie. It's been a while."