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Novel Catalog
Chapter 46
Victor noticed Eden’s smile as she looked at the TV, and it was the first genuine expression he had seen from her today. The warmth in her eyes when she saw her son made his own heart stir, though he couldn’t quite place why. There was something about seeing her happy that seemed to stir an unfamiliar feeling within him, something deeper than just curiosity or attraction. It was as if she were a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve, but he felt the need to try.
He leaned back in his seat, his expression softening, though he quickly masked it again. “Your son is quite impressive,” he said casually, though he knew the sentiment was more than just politeness. “Henrick, right?”
Eden nodded, her smile still lingering. “Yes. Henrick. He’s got a natural talent for the piano. He’s always been so dedicated to his music.”
Victor studied her for a moment, noting the pride in her voice and the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about her children. It was clear that they meant everything to her. He couldn’t help but wonder about the father of these children—about the life she had built outside of the world he knew.
He decided to shift the focus back to the present, sensing that any further probing into her past might push her away. “It’s rare to see someone so passionate about their family,” he said. “You must be a good mother.”
Eden glanced at him, her expression unreadable for a moment. “I try,” she said simply, her voice quiet yet firm. “I don’t have a lot of time to spare for anything else.”
Victor nodded in understanding, his eyes narrowing slightly. He could tell there was much more beneath the surface of her calm demeanor. She was holding something back, something he couldn’t yet reach. But for now, he had to be patient.
The waiter arrived with their drinks—two glasses, one filled with strawberry juice and the other with orange juice, just as Victor had ordered. He took a sip of the strawberry juice, savoring the sweetness, before glancing at Eden.
“Is it alright if I ask something personal?” he inquired, his tone smooth and polite but tinged with an underlying curiosity. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
Eden arched an eyebrow, not sure where he was going with this. “What is it?”
Victor’s gaze shifted to hers, his expression soft but searching. “Do you ever think about the past? About what you’ve left behind?”
Her face stiffened for a brief moment, but she quickly masked it. “I try not to,” she said. “The past is something I can’t change. All I can do is focus on now.”
Victor studied her closely, noting the subtle shift in her mood. He didn’t press her for more, but something in her words seemed to hint at a deeper wound, one she wasn’t ready to share. For a moment, he considered pushing her for answers, but he held back. There was no need to rush things.
Instead, he smiled, his voice light. “I understand. The past has a way of creeping up on us when we least expect it.”
Eden didn’t respond immediately. She simply took another sip of her drink, her mind clearly elsewhere. Victor allowed her the space, but the quiet between them was heavy, filled with unspoken thoughts and questions that neither of them were ready to confront.
As Eden finished her drink, Victor glanced at his watch. “I should let you get back to your day,” he said, his tone polite but final. “Thank you for breakfast, Miss Bleu. It’s been… an interesting conversation.”
Eden stood, collecting her things. “It was my pleasure, Mr. Alwynn. I’ll see you around.” She gave him a polite nod before turning to leave, feeling the weight of his gaze still lingering on her back.
Victor watched her go, a mix of satisfaction and frustration swirling inside him. He hadn’t gotten as much information as he’d hoped, but there was something about Eden that kept drawing him in, despite the walls she had so carefully built around herself.