Rafe’s POV
Finally, I heard her talking to Kael.
"Umm... Roman... I don’t see him?" she asked.
I finally looked toward her, a small smile playing on my lips.
At the same time, Kael looked at me with his usual calm gaze. He clearly understood what I was trying to do.
He looked back at Eira and answered, "There’s some important work at the office that needs his presence. He might return late tonight."
She simply hummed, while I said, "I should take lunch to him?"
"Why?" a voice came through — Lucian. "Are you his wife?"
"I can be, if he wants me to be," I said shamelessly. "Or he won’t eat the entire day. You know how workaholic he is."
"No need. He won’t eat anyway," Jason said as he brought the food to the table. "He always wastes food when he’s working."
"He just needs someone to force him to stop working and eat," Lucian added. "And none of us is that someone. Last time I tried, he kicked me out of the office," he frowned, "That cold bastard."
"Just wait for him to return home," Kael said, then looked at Jason. "For dinner tonight, cook something he likes. When he returns, he can reheat it and eat."
While all of us were talking, Eira stayed silent — probably worrying about Roman being too busy and skipping his meal. But she couldn’t say anything. Maybe she was too embarrassed to show her concern.
But how long could she hide it? One day, what’s in her heart will come out on her lips. And all of us were evil enough to make her say it.
"Alright, stop worrying about that cold ass," I said, returning to the dining table. "At least we can eat. I am starving already."
When all of us sat down, Eira and Raven were eating slowly and less than usual, unlike any other day.
"What happened? You two didn’t like the food?" Kael asked.
Both of them looked at Kael, but had nothing to say.
I ended up laughing as none of them could tell the reason to Kael. They knew Kael didn’t like junk food in home.
Kael looked at me. "Why are you laughing?"
"I just thought these two look cute when they are afraid of you," I replied.
Just then Lucian spoke, "He fed them junk food just a while ago. Their stomach are full."
Eira and Raven looked at each other like thieves.
Gosh, these days I was enjoying this simple family drama a lot. It could only be a dream till two months back. It reminded me of my days with my parents. Faint memories now, but still alive inside me.
Kael offered me a serious gaze. "Don’t spoil their food habits."
"They were hungry, so...."
Kael raised a brow, and I shut my mouth. When he is serious, better not to argue.
"Raven is growing up. He needs healthy food," Kael said, "And Eira..." he looked at her, changing his words, "her body is healing, so same for her." He didn’t say the main reason he was thinking about.
I offered a light nod.
"Outside food is not good," Kael turned to the two, "You can, but only once a week. Rest of the time, you are going to follow home rules."
Both of them nodded obediently.
The day passed by, and night arrived. Roman still hadn’t returned, even though it was late.
Raven had already fallen asleep. Kael picked him up and turned to Eira. "It’s time to sleep."
Her gaze lingered toward the entrance of the home before she nodded quietly.
Kael started toward the staircase, while I called out, "Caldwell," and showed her my cellphone. "Want to make a call?"
She looked at the phone in my hand, clearly hesitating.
"It’s free of charge for you," I told her, "but if you still want to repay me, just give me a nice kiss."
She frowned and turned away, following Kael upstairs to his room.
"Stop teasing her at least now," Lucian said. "Or she won’t be able to sleep."
"I’m sure she won’t anyway," I said, standing up and heading toward my room. "Night! Night!"
Lucian and Jason went to their rooms as well, leaving the house quiet for the night.
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Eira’s POV
Raven and Kael had fallen asleep. Tonight, Kael didn’t sleep next to me but on the other side of the bed, with Raven between us.
Raven had snuggled against Kael like a little bunny, and both of them slept peacefully. But me—I couldn’t sleep at all. I looked at the clock. It was past midnight, and I wondered if Roman had returned. If he had, then whether he ate or not.
The entire day there was no news of him. It was the first time since I came to this home that I hadn’t seen Roman for so long, or talked to him. Except for that one day when he saw his mother and stayed out of the home.
Not being able to sleep, I finally decided to get up and go downstairs to my usual place by the window. Maybe some fresh air would make me feel better and sleepy.
Also, I didn’t want to disturb Kael and Raven’s sleep. Tonight, Raven didn’t look to be in any pain, so that was a relief.
Without making a sound, I quietly left the room and descended the stairs carefully.
Just as I reached downstairs and turned toward the window, I noticed something. There was someone on the sofa, probably sleeping.
I went closer to see.
It was Roman, sleeping there instead of in his room. He hadn’t even changed his clothes and had fallen asleep like that. Must be too tired.
My mind finally felt at peace seeing him back. I shouldn’t feel this way or worry this much, but I couldn’t help it. Maybe I had just gotten used to having him around me all the time.
Before going to the window, I picked up the shawl from the chair—the one I used to cover Raven. Without thinking much, I covered him with it, careful not to disturb his sleep.
As I leaned down, I saw his face clearly, his breathing even. My hand, as if having a mind of its own, moved to caress his head—but then I stopped.
Why am I doing this?
Was it compassion born out of pity toward him, as he had gone through the same pain as me? The same pity he felt toward me after knowing what I had gone through?
Now I could understand why he was good to me even when others hated me. He could understand my pain.
Or was it something else I was feeling—just as Rafe said?
I restrained my hand and turned to leave, but...
"Why are you leaving?" I heard him. My hand was already in his, stopping me from leaving.
My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed hard before turning to look at him.
Our gazes met—his sleepy eyes as if staring into my very soul.