Chapter 383

If Alexander were honest with himself, he'd acknowledge the deep-seated jealousy he still harbored.

No matter how much time elapsed, he couldn't shake the feeling that Cedric had stolen Daniela from him.

The affection Cedric basked in now belonged to him.

This time, however, Alexander refrained from rushing upstairs in a fit of impulse.

Instead,he moved carefully, determined to ensure Daniela would find her way back to him.

As Alexander left, his gaze lingered on Daniela's office door.His fists clenched tightly before he disappeared into the night's shadows.

Meanwhile, inside the office, silence hung heavily.

Cedric had briefly lifted his gaze from the laptop, only to lower it back again.

Daniela sat quietly, waiting patiently in her seat.

After ten minutes, Cedric broke the quiet. His voice was even,yet edged with something unreadable. "You once said I had the right to decide."

Daniela met his gaze and replied, "Yes."

Cedric went on, "You said I'd decide on whether we continue or part ways."

Daniela still responded, "Yes."

Cedric said, "Honestly, I don't quite understand."

Daniela's eyes darted as her throat suddenly dried."What?"

Cedric's mind churned momentarily, thewords weighing heavily on him before he spoke. "If you don't trust me, why did you accomplish so much with me, even marrying me? But if you trust me, why keep parts of your life hidden?"

Cedric didn't believe her intentions were only to have sex with him.

He almost wished Daniela was after something tangible from him.

At least then, he wouldn't feel so vulnerable,constantly anxious about being rejected at any moment.

"Daniela, tell me the reason. Why won't you tell me?Why did you marry me if you're only going to shut me out?" His hands curled into fists as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Don't make me feel like a fool."

The weight of his words hit Daniela like a blow.

She had never meant to make him feel this way.

Her only intention was to make him happy but everything had gone wrong somewhere along the way.

"I..." she began.

Cedric's back remained turned, his rigid frame a wall between Daniela and him.

His silhouette radiated an air of silence and severity."If you can't tell me the truth, don't lie either."

The words caught in Daniela's throat, leaving her unable to continue.

The room sank back into a heavy and oppressive silence again.

"I never meant to deceive you, but I can't explain the reason right now. What I said still stands, so the choice is yours." Daniela knew she was being unreasonable but she had no choice. "Or we could take a break for now and wait until later."

It was the only solution Daniela could come up with.

"Once l've sorted everything out, we can pick up where we left off," she added.

By then, the chaos would be behind them, and Cedric's past would no longer weigh him down.Daniela was certain she could smooth out every wrinkle and set things right.

"But if you're still willing by then, I'll return to bring you home," she concluded.

Cedric's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Really? Wait?Wait until the danger passes? Wait for the convenient moment? Wait until you feel it's safe? Daniela, what about me?"

Daniela froze, his words striking her harder than she'd anticipated.

Cedric's voice remained icy as he continued, "Does everything have to revolve around you? What about me? You don't care what I think. Is that it?"

Daniela fell silent, pressing her lips together as she struggled to find the right words.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, her tone soft but resolute. "Yes. If you want to be with me, just follow my plans. The choice to continue is yours. If you disagree,then you can choose..."

She paused momentarily, then continued, "You can call it off." At her words, Cedric slowly turned around. In the stillness of the night, he met Daniela's gaze,their eyes locking in the cold, quiet darkness.

A single glance was enough for Cedric to know that Daniela had already made up her mind.

He gave a nod, a self-mocking smile crossing his face."You're both decisive and efficient. I can only admit defeat."

Daniela bit her lip, the weight of knowing she had ruined everything settling in.

Cedric rose slowly, the chair behind him creaking loudly in the silent room. "Fine. I'll follow your plans and play by your rules."

Daniela felt a sharp ache in her chest. She was on the verge of saying, "Then that's it."

Then, she watched as Cedric stood up, his hands tucked into his pockets. His voice was cold as he said,"I won't ask why anymore. But whether it's out of sympathy or something else, Daniela, be ready for a lifetime with me."

Daniela was taken aback. She stared at Cedric, her expression blank with disbelief.

Cedric's expression turned steely in the darkness. "You said I was the one to decide, didn't you? Moreover, again."

Daniela's hands clenched silently on the table, her fingers digging into the surface.

Had he really agreed?

Considering Cedric's temperament, she had assumed that he wouldn't be the type to compromise.

"Daniela, did you hear what I just said? You wanted me to choose, and I've made my choice. So,you'll owe me for a lifetime. You'll be bound to me, relentless and unyielding. Do you agree? So now, it's your turn.Think it over, Daniela. Even if you fall for another man in the future, I won't let you go."

After finishing his words, Cedric walked straight towards the office door.

His steps quickened, as though he feared hearing a rejection. "I'll give you time to think about it before you answer me."

"I agree."

Her voice cut through as Cedric's hand hovered over the doorknob.

He didn't dare ask again. His hand gripped the doorknob, turning it, and without looking back, he muttered,"Alright."

Cedric walked out of the office as he spoke.

Nina and Natalie were standing outside the door.

Nina glanced at Natalie. "Do you think he'll come back tonight?"

A mix of emotions flickered across Natalie's face. "I'm not sure, but when Cedric walked out, he looked like he was relieved of a heavy burden. What does he fear so much?"

He was a formidable force in the business world. What could possibly scare him?