Chapter 9

Heather’s POV 

The aroma of the scrumptious meal before me reached my taste buds first before the first bite ever did.

It was warm, rich and highly comforting.

Once again I stared at the tray before me, taking all the food in. Yeah… I was definitely going to need seconds after this. 

I looked down at the bowl resting on my lap, steam curling gently into the air. 

The creamy mashed potatoes melted almost instantly on my tongue, paired with tender slices of roasted chicken coated in a savory gravy that was somehow both light and flavorful. 

Beside it sat buttered vegetables that still had the right amount of crunch.

It was simple, and yet somehow the best meal I’d ever tasted. 

I don’t remember the cook back at Adrian’s house being this good. 

Or maybe I was only feeling this way because I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days.

The first few bites disappeared almost embarrassingly fast, and before I knew it, I was scraping the last bit of gravy from the plate.

Only then did I realize the older maid had been standing quietly in the corner all this time, watching me with a gentle smile.

“I’m glad to see your appetite has returned, Miss,” she said kindly, and my cheeks flushed from embarrassment. 

Eating was an understatement at this point to be honest. I was practically inhaling the food. I didn’t give myself a chance to breathe. 

She chuckled softly, as though she’d read my mind. “Would you like another serving?”

I glanced down at the now empty plate. “…Yes, please.”

The word slipped out almost shyly, her smile widening. “Right away Miss.” she beamed at me. 

She had barely turned toward the door when the handle clicked, making both of us instinctively looked up.

The door slowly swung open, and my brows shot up momentarily as I saw Ryder step inside. 

He was still dressed neatly despite the late hour, his glasses sitting perfectly on the bridge of his nose. Compared to his brothers, there was something much calmer about him, something that made the room feel less suffocating the moment he entered.

The maid immediately lowered her head respectfully. “Young Master Ryder,” she greeted with a small curtsey. “Welcome back.”

He offered her a polite nod. “Thank you, Martha.”

“The young miss was asking for you earlier.” I blinked, once at Martha, then at Ryder. 

Oh right. I had been looking for thin. But that has Ben before the phone call. Before hearing Adrian’s voice. Before realizing how foolish it was for hoping. 

“Oh, there isn’t any need anymore,” I interrupted quietly, making both of them look at me. .“Martha has already helped me with everything I needed.”

The maid’s gaze rested on me for a moment, staring at the me for a few moments, before she politely smiled from beside me.

Ryder studied me for a brief moment before giving a small nod. “I’m glad.” His voice was as calm as I remembered. “How are you feeling?”

The question instantly reminded me of everything that had happened earlier that day. The panic, the shouting, the tears, all of it. 

I lowered my eyes briefly, suddenly finding the edge of my blanket very interesting. “…Better.”

It wasn’t exactly the truth, but it was easier than explaining the storm still raging inside me.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Ryder replied gently.

And for a brief moment, silence settled between us. Then something caught my attention. Ever since the moment he had come in, he still remained standing at the doorway. 

One hand remained on the door handle as though he hadn’t actually finished coming in.

It looked… like he was waiting for someone, or something.

My brows drew together, as my gaze drifted over him, then the door that he seemed to be so happy blocking . “Is… something wrong?”

Ryder glanced toward the hallway before looking back at me. “Oh.” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Nothing’s wrong.”

He stepped further into the room, finally letting go of the door. “It’s …” He paused, giving me a moment tj read his expression. “There’s someone who would like to meet you.”

My lips twisted into a frown. Someone who wanted to meet me? Who could it possibly be? 

Who?

For several long seconds, my mind searched desperately for an answer. Most of the people I knew, both friends and acquaintances, somehow all led back to Adrian and Vivienne. 

So then, who could it be?

Without realizing it, my gaze drifted toward Martha, and simply smiled politely, offering me nothing but a small shrug. 

Curiosity slowly replaced my confusion, and I looked back at Ryder. “…Oh. Alright, then.” My fingers tightened slightly around the blanket. “I suppose you can let them in.”

Ryder nodded once before stepping aside, clearing the doorway completely.

My attention immediately fixed on the open door, and a second later, a man stepped inside, and damn he was tall. 

Easily taller than Ryder, with broad shoulders that filled the doorway for a brief moment before he moved further into the room.

His tailored black coat sat perfectly against his powerful frame, giving him an air of effortless authority.

Sharp features framed a face that was undeniably handsome, while a pair of intense dark eyes settled on me with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.

There was nothing openly threatening about him.

And yet, something about his quiet presence made me instinctively straighten where I sat.

He didn’t smile or anything. He simply stood there watching me, and for reasons I couldn’t explain, his eyes put me completely on edge. 

I didn’t know how long the room stayed quiet as we held each other’s gaze, and it was as if Ryder and Martha had disappeared for a moment. 

I wasn’t sure if I was reading it wrong or right but there was something in his eyes. 

Relief? Disbelief? Heartache? I didn’t really know. 

My throat bobbed with a swallow and I ended up tightening my fingers around the blanket again. “Um… do I know you?” I asked cautiously. 

His lips parted, a glint flashing in his eyes as though countless words had rushed to the surface at once. But in the end, he simply smiled. 

It was a small one, sad and almost broken too. 

“No.” He said quietly. “You don’t.”