Claire’s POV
I was so stunned at his act that I couldn’t help but let my thoughts run wild. What happened to the cold and distant man I once knew? Was this so elaborate joke? Or had he finally lost his mind?
I suppressed the urge to reach over and check his forehead for signs of fever—or worse, to crack his head open and search for so faulty wiring in his brain—and lowered myself into the chair cautiously as my eyes never left his face.
Evander, however, remained calm, almost too calm, as if this was the most natural thing in the world for him to do. I couldn’t tell if I wanted to laugh at the absurdity or cry about it. Either way, I stayed silent, unsure of what to make of this new version of him.
"What would you like to have?" Evander asked as his gaze shifted over the varieties of dishes on the table. "Today, I will serve you myself."
His words startled , and I instinctively rose to my feet, shaking my hands in protest. "Ah... Please don’t do this. I can handle it myself."
Before I could retreat further, Evander reached out and took my hands in his. His grip was firm yet gentle, as his expression was earnest. "Claire," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that made my protests falter. "Please don’t stop . I want to serve you."
I felt a strange tug in my chest as he continued, his eyes locking with mine. "I know I am way too late for this. I should have done these things long ago, but I can’t change the past. What I can do is try to make up for everything. For every mont I failed you."
His words hung in the air, yet laced with tenderness and the love he had for in his heart. For a mont, I couldn’t move, couldn’t think, as I tried to process the shift in him.
It wasn’t like the Evander I used to know, the man who always kept himself at a distance. This was different, and it made uneasy, not because I didn’t want to believe him, but because a part of feared I might.
What are you doing, Claire? You have already decided to give him a chance, so why are you still being so stubborn? I questioned myself, letting out a quiet sigh as I softened my expression and gave him a small, gentle smile.
Without another word, I took my seat and decided to let him do what he wished. There was no point in resisting if I was truly committed to starting anew, not just with him but with myself as well.
No matter what had happened before, today felt different. The change had finally started. Whether it was in my personal life or my professional journey, this day marked the beginning of my new life. And I silently vowed to myself that I wouldn’t let anyone or anything destroy what I was building; not this ti, not by anyone.
I watched as Evander carefully served the food, his actions uncharacteristically thoughtful and precise. While I wasn’t entirely sure what the future held, I decided to let the mont be, to allow this unfamiliar tenderness to exist between us. For now, that was enough.
"Claire," he said softly, taking the seat next to . His voice carried a sincerity that was impossible to ignore. "I will never let you eat alone at the table ever again," he promised, his gaze locked onto mine. "As long as I am in this city and have no urgent obligations, I will always be by your side during every al at this dining table."
His words hit harder than I expected, piercing through the guarded walls I had built around my heart. Tears welled up in my eyes, as mories of lonely als in the past ca rushing back. But this mont and this promise—felt heavier, more significant than the pain I had endured.
His words made my chest ache, but in a way that felt like healing. I tried to speak, my lips parting to respond as they ahivered, but the emotions tangled in my throat made it impossible.
"I..." I finally managed to begin, my voice barely audible, when Sissy’s voice abruptly shattered the intimate mont we had.
"If you two are done with your lovey-dovey drama, can we leave now?" she quipped, rolling her eyes dramatically.
Startled, I instinctively looked away, hastily wiping the tears threatening to spill over. "We are coming," I mumbled, grateful for the interruption, even if it ca with Sissy’s usual sass.
"No!" Evander’s voice was firm as he grasped my hand, his eyes steady on mine. "She hasn’t eaten yet," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argunt. He glanced at the untouched food in front of and gently nudged toward the plate.
"I... I will eat and co right after," I stamred, flustered under his unwavering attention. Picking up the fork, I quickly took a bite of the salad, hoping to ease the tension in the air.
"Is it to your taste?" Evander asked, leaning forward slightly as he began serving more without waiting for an answer. His actions were deliberate and tender. "If there is anything you don’t like, let know. I will make sure future als are tailored to your preference."
The earnestness in his voice left speechless, and for a mont, I could only nod in response, feeling the heat creep up my cheeks.
"Blegh!" Sissy groaned dramatically from across the table, clutching her stomach as if she might faint. "This man is giving goosebumps!" She shot a mocking glare. "Claire, how are you even digesting this sugary sweet nonsense? I might get diabetes if I stay here any longer."
Her exaggerated antics broke the tension, and I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. Evander glanced at her, unbothered, his lips curving into the faintest smirk.
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