Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 140: Chapter 140 Do you know why I called you here?

Daisy had lived in this house for quite some time, yet this was the first time she had entered Cedric’s bedroom properly. She had seen it from outside before, passing by in the hallway but she had never stepped inside.

Her gaze suddenly stopped.

Above the headboard hung an enormous framed photograph.

It was Cedric.

Unlike his usual expression, he was actually smiling brightly in the picture. It seemed like a genuine smile, not the cold, forced one he often wore. His blue eyes looked bright and the relaxed expression on his handsome face made him look even more attractive.

He was wearing a simple white shirt, his hair slightly messy and he looked like someone who had just been caught in a moment of happiness.

Daisy blinked.

He... smiles like this?

It was strange. She had rarely seen that smile in real life. She had seen him smirk, laugh coldly, and show amusement in a detached way but never like this. Never so open and warm.

Without realizing it, she took another step closer to the photograph.

Just then, she heard the rhythmic sound of running water.

Shhhhhh...

Someone was taking a shower.

Daisy immediately understood.

Cedric was still inside.

She suddenly became awkward.

Should she wait? Or leave and come back later? She didn’t want to be caught standing in his room like an intruder.

Before she could decide, she quietly stood near the sofa, clasping her hands together as the sound of running water continued behind the bathroom door.

She looked around a bit more, her eyes wandering across the room.

Daisy’s gaze focused on the photograph again.

The sound of running water continued steadily from the bathroom. She could hear the faint splashing, the occasional shift of movement. Her heart beat unevenly as she waited, unsure of what to expect.

Then, suddenly, the water stopped.

Daisy’s breath caught.

Silence filled the room. She heard movement inside the bathroom. The soft rustle of fabric. The click of a drawer opening and closing. The muffled sound of footsteps on the tiled floor.

Her heart began to pound in her chest.

Then the bathroom door opened.

Cedric stepped out, a white towel wrapped loosely around his waist, water droplets still clinging to his broad shoulders and dark hair.

His chest was bare, his skin still slightly damp, the muscles of his arms and torso defined and glistening under the soft light. Water trickled down his neck, tracing the lines of his collarbone before disappearing into the towel.

He hadn’t expected to see her standing there.

He paused mid-step, his blue eyes widening slightly before settling into a calm, composed gaze.

"...You’re here."

Daisy nodded quickly, her eyes darting away from his bare chest. She focused on a spot on the wall behind him, anywhere but his body. Her cheeks felt warm and she could feel the heat creeping up her neck.

Cedric noticed her discomfort. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You’re earlier than I expected."

He slowly walked toward her.

His footsteps echoed softly across the floor.

Daisy instinctively took one small step backward. Then another. Until the back of her knees touched the sofa. She lost her balance and sat down with a small bounce. Her eyes widened in surprise.

Cedric stopped right in front of her. One hand rested casually on the back of the sofa beside her shoulder as he leaned down slightly. Not enough to trap her but enough that she became very aware of how close he was.

A teasing smile appeared on his face.

"You’re very obedient." His deep voice carried a hint of amusement. "I told you ten o’clock, and here you are exactly on time." He chuckled softly. "I was actually expecting you to arrive late. That’s what most people would do when they’re called to their husband’s room late at night."

He shrugged casually, his tone light. "Jessica is always late whenever we go out. It’s become a habit of hers. She likes to make an entrance."

Daisy quietly lowered her eyes.

She didn’t know how to respond to that. She didn’t want to hear about Jessica. She didn’t want to be compared to her. She didn’t want to be here at all.

Cedric studied her for a moment. His gaze swept over her simple clothes, her loosely tied hair, her bare face. No makeup, no jewelry, no effort to impress.

"You didn’t even get dressed up."

His voice was calm, almost thoughtful.

"I expected you to at least try to look presentable. But this..." He gestured vaguely at her outfit. "...this is what you chose to wear when I called you to my room?"

He paused, as if considering his next words.

"Yet somehow, you still look fresh. So it’s fine. Fine."

Daisy blinked. She didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. She chose to say nothing.

Cedric straightened and walked toward the bed.

"Do you know why I called you here?"

Daisy slowly shook her head. She clasped her hands together in her lap, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

Cedric picked up another dry towel from the bed before casually rubbing it through his damp hair. The movement was slow and lazy.

Then he looked back at her.

Without warning, he tossed the towel toward her.

It landed softly in her lap.

Daisy blinked in confusion before picking it up. She stared at the towel, then at him, then back at the towel.

Cedric sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at her expectantly. His blue eyes were calm and patient.

"Help me dry my hair."

He spoke as though it were the most natural request in the world. As if she had been doing this for years. As if there was nothing strange about calling his wife into his room late at night to dry his hair.

Daisy looked at the towel. Then at him. Then back at the towel again. Her brows slowly knitted together.

...What?

She bit her lower lip, her mind racing.

That’s all? He had called her into his room at ten o’clock just so she could dry his hair? She couldn’t understand him anymore. She had braced herself for an argument, for accusations, for another painful confrontation. But this? This was so unexpected that she didn’t know how to react.

Even so, she quietly walked over to him with the towel in her hands. Her steps were hesitant, but she didn’t stop.

Cedric remained seated on the edge of the bed, his broad back facing her. He didn’t turn around. He didn’t say anything. He simply waited.

Without saying anything, Daisy gently placed the towel over his damp hair and began drying it.

Her movements were incredibly gentle. She carefully rubbed away the remaining drops of water, afraid of pulling his hair too hard. Her fingers moved softly through the dark strands, working out the tangles with patient care.

Cedric slowly closed his eyes.

A comfortable feeling spread through him. The tension in his shoulders gradually eased.

"...You’re good at this." His deep voice broke the silence, softer than before. "The maids are always rough. They pull too hard. They rush through it like they have somewhere better to be. But you..." He paused. "...you take your sweet time."

Daisy didn’t react. She simply continued drying his hair with the same careful movements.

The room became quiet again. Only the soft rustling of the towel could be heard.

After a while, Cedric suddenly spoke again. His voice was quieter now, almost thoughtful.

"Daisy."

She paused, her hands stilling on his hair.

"...I know. I know I haven’t been able to give you the kind of marriage you wanted." His voice was unusually calm. "I know I’ve neglected you. I know I’ve hurt you. I know I’ve made you feel invisible."

She listened, her heart aching.

"And I think... that’s why you became close to Alessio."

Daisy froze.

The towel stopped moving.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

What...?

She quickly walked around to stand in front of him. She shook her head repeatedly.

No.

She pointed at herself, then made the sign for friend. After that, she pointed outward, trying to indicate Alessio.

He’s just my friend.

Cedric watched her gestures. He understood almost nothing. He only saw her desperately trying to deny it.

He let out a quiet sigh.

"I don’t believe a man looks at a married woman the way he looked at you..." He stood up slowly, his blue eyes fixed on hers. "...unless he wants something more."

Daisy frowned. She tapped him lightly on the arms to get his attention again. Then she repeated the sign.

Friend.

She even exaggerated it this time, hoping he would finally understand.

Cedric remained unconvinced. His expression was unreadable.

Instead, he folded his arms.

"Listen... My heart belongs to Jessica." The words came out flat, matter-of-fact. There was no hesitation in them. No doubt.

The words made Daisy’s fingers tighten around the towel. She felt a familiar ache in her chest.

"But..." He continued, his voice softening just slightly. "...I’ve been thinking. We’re husband and wife. I’ve neglected you. And maybe... that’s why you’ve started depending on another man."

Daisy stared at him.

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.