4 Chapter 110 Shared Comforts 2
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Chapter 110: Shared Comforts-2
“Mmm… this is incredible!” she breathed, eyes lighting up. “So creamy… that touch of truffle makes it even better. Honestly, the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had!”
Damien’s lips curved into a teasing, satisfied smile. “Should I take that at face value… or are you just saying it to make me feel good?” He lifted his glass, his gaze warm and steady, holding her in that quiet, perfect moment that felt entirely theirs.
Maya laughed, eyes sparkling. “It’s true! This is a five-star experience. The mac and cheese I usually have… well, it’s straight from the box, and I usually have to fight Jaime for seconds. But this-this is on another level. Creamy, rich, perfectly seasoned… I could eat this forever!”
Damien chuckled, low and warm, making her grin even wider. “So I’m officially your favorite chef now?” he teased, lifting his fork with flourish. “Don’t worry, I accept the title.”
Maya shook her head, still smiling, a little laugh escaping as she took another bite. “Oh, absolutely. But fair warning-if you keep cooking like this, I might get spoiled. I won’t eat anyone else’s food but yours… and then you’ll be stuck cooking for me forever.”
Leaning slightly across the table, Damien brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering at her cheek. “Then I suppose I’ll just have to keep cooking for you… forever.”
Maya’s cheeks flushed, lips parting in a soft, delighted laugh.
They continued their dinner with easy laughter and lighthearted chatter, the warmth of the cabin wrapping around them as the peaceful night sky, dotted with stars, sparkled outside. Plates were occasionally refilled, bites stolen from each other’s portions, and teasing remarks traded back and forth-the evening unfolding like a quiet celebration of simply being together.
After dinner, Damien pulled a blueberry cheesecake from the fridge, a small smile tugging at his lips. “We didn’t get to enjoy dessert last time. Now we have the whole thing to ourselves.”
He served her a generous slice and cut one for himself. They savored it slowly, the creamy richness mingling with the faint tartness of the berries, each bite punctuated by soft murmurs of appreciation and small smiles exchanged across the table.
When the plates were cleared, Maya immediately reached for the sink. “I’ll wash these,” she said.
Damien shook his head gently. “No need. There’s a dishwasher; use it.”
Maya protested lightly, insisting hand-washing was better, more satisfying. Maya held firm,
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Chapter 110 Shared Comforts-2
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her tone soft but insistent, and eventually he relented. They stood side by side at the sink, washing dishes, teasing each other like children as soap bubbles splashed and laughter filled the kitchen.
Once everything was done, they moved to the living room, settling in front of the fireplace with glasses of wine. Maya leaned against Damien, her head resting on his chest, and felt the steady warmth of him beneath her. The crackle of the fire and the soft glow of the flames created a cocoon of intimacy around them.
After a quiet stretch of shared warmth, Damien’s voice softened, edged with care and curiosity. “Maya… can I ask… how you ended up as Jaime’s sole guardian?”
Maya’s fingers tightened around her glass. She drew a slow breath, eyes fixed on the fire, drawing strength from its steady glow. Memories she rarely faced flickered behind her eyes- shadows she had carried alone, too dark even to share with Jaime. Yet with Damien, she felt an unexpected safety, a quiet permission to let someone in. For the first time, she felt she could speak-and truly breathe.
She drew a shaky breath, memories pressing in.
“It was… the only option,” she began softly. “Our parents passed away the day after my eighteenth birthday. I remember that day so clearly-it was a Saturday, late afternoon. We were supposed to go on a camping trip the next day, and Mom decided to head to the grocery store to grab some things.”
Her voice caught. “Before they left, Mom hugged me tightly. She said, ‘Maya, you’re officially an adult now. Look after your brother, okay?’ And Dad… trying to lighten the mood, laughed and said, ‘And we’re only going to the grocery store… no boys allowed inside the house!’ We all laughed together, completely unaware that… it would be the last time.”
Tears slid down her cheeks, her voice cracking. “God, I wish I could hear that laugh one more
time.”
She sniffed, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “We waited and waited-one hour, two, three-and still, they hadn’t come back. It was past dinner time, so I made a simple meal for Jaime and me. I kept calling them, again and again, but neither could be reached.”
Her hands trembled as she continued. “Then, just before eleven, I saw headlights flash outside the window. At first, I felt relieved, thinking they were finally home. But something in my stomach felt wrong. A few minutes later, someone rang the doorbell. I opened it quickly, only to be met by an older man in uniform-and a woman beside him, also in uniform. He introduced himself as Detective Wilson, and the woman was Officer Janice. He… he told me my parents had been in an accident. My knees went weak. Then he said I needed to come with them to the hospital. I froze. Jaime had already fallen asleep, and I didn’t want to wake
Chapter 110 Shared Comforts-2
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him-but I had no choice. I shook him gently, trying to explain, and his little eyes blinked up at me, confused. I had no answers. I didn’t even have the words.”
Her voice trembled as she swallowed. “When we arrived at the hospital, I thought they’d be in a room, hurt but alive. But they led us to another side… and I saw the word ‘Morgue’ above the door. My stomach dropped. I wanted to scream, to run, to wake up from this nightmare… but I couldn’t.”
The dam broke. She cried, covering her face with both hands as sobs shook her body. Damien rubbed her back gently, his voice soft. “I’m so sorry, love.”
She drew in a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. “The report later said their car lost control, swerved into the other lane, and collided head-on with a semi. The driver was drunk- he didn’t even avoid try to avoid them. They… they died instantly. Just like that. Gone. No chance to say goodbye. No chance to stop it. Just… gone.”
Damien wrapped his arm around her, holding her close as she trembled against him. She buried her face in his chest, finally letting go of the grief she had carried alone for so long. For the first time in years, a fraction of the weight lifted, soothed by the steady warmth of someone who truly cared.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.