Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 153: Chapter 153 She’s worried about me?

Since Cedric couldn’t understand her gestures, he simply smiled.

"It’s fine, Mom."

He looked at Daisy. "You can go ahead. Your job is important."

He shrugged lightly, as if the matter was already settled. "Besides, you’ll probably get bored staying home all day anyway."

Daisy looked at him for a moment before giving a small nod.

Yes.

She picked up her bag again, her fingers wrapping around the familiar strap.

Jenna’s smile remained perfectly elegant. Her lips curved just enough to seem warm but her eyes held no warmth at all.

"Of course, dear. You can go."

She repeated herself, her tone gentle.

Daisy forced a polite smile, nodded once more, and quietly walked toward the front door.

The moment she stepped outside, she let out a slow breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.

Thank goodness...

If Cedric hadn’t been home, Jenna would never have allowed her to leave so easily. She knew that better than anyone.

As she walked toward the gate, old memories appeared one after another.

Whenever Cedric wasn’t around, Jenna’s smile would disappear. Her words would become cold and sharp, sometimes openly humiliating.

She rarely called Daisy by her name. Instead, she would simply say that girl or even worse call her it.

As though Daisy wasn’t a person. As though she were nothing more than an unwanted object inside the mansion.

Every harsh word had hurt. Every single one and no one had ever stopped her. Least of all Cedric.

He had been there countless times. He had stood nearby, heard the words, seen the way Daisy’s shoulders would shrink. But he never focused on anything regarding her. Never noticed the way Jenna spoke to her. Never noticed the tears Daisy quietly swallowed before forcing herself to smile again.

Or perhaps he simply hadn’t cared enough to notice.

The thought no longer made her heart pierce with pain the way it once had. Instead, it brought an unexpected sense of clarity.

She slowed her steps. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag.

It’s time... It’s really time.

She had already made her decision. She would divorce Cedric. She wanted peace, and she couldn’t spend the rest of her life fearing Jenna.

❀┈┈┈┈❀

The entire day in the laboratory was hectic.

From the moment Daisy arrived, there wasn’t a single moment to sit down. Samples kept arriving one after another, reports had to be completed, glassware needed to be prepared and every technician seemed to be rushing from one workstation to another.

By the time lunch break finally arrived, Daisy rubbed her sore neck and let out a quiet sigh. Her shoulders ached and her eyes felt dry from staring at data for hours. She had barely finished eating when she remembered someone.

Alessio...

The doctor had clearly said he needed rest. He had been running a fever just yesterday, pale and exhausted. She frowned.

I hope he’s at home.

After washing her lunchbox, she stepped out of the laboratory to return a few documents to another department. The corridor was quiet, the afternoon light filtering through the tall windows.

As she walked, a familiar tall figure appeared at the end of it.

Alessio.

He was standing beside Rafael, discussing something while looking over a file. He was dressed neatly as always but she immediately noticed the faint tiredness beneath his eyes.

He shouldn’t be here.

Her brows immediately knitted together.

Without even thinking, she walked straight toward him.

Rafael noticed her first. "Daisy!"

Alessio turned his head.

The moment their eyes met, the usual coldness in his green eyes softened.

Before either of them could speak, Daisy stopped in front of him and folded her arms.

Her expression was unusually serious.

She quickly raised both hands.

Why are you here? Why aren’t you resting at home? You had a fever yesterday!

Her gestures were quick and firm. There wasn’t even a greeting. The first thing she did was scold him.

Alessio stared at her blankly.

For several seconds, he completely forgot to answer. His mind repeated only one thought.

...She’s worried about me?

He blinked once. Then looked at Rafael, almost as if asking whether he had interpreted her gestures correctly.

Rafael understood immediately and couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face.

"Oh... So that’s what she’s saying." He translated with an amused smile. Nowadays, he could also understand her signs, mostly he could read her expressions. She was very expressive. "She’s asking why you’re here instead of resting at home."

Alessio slowly looked back at Daisy.

His heartbeat became strangely lighter.

A small smile appeared on his lips without his permission.

"...You remembered."

Daisy looked confused.

Of course she remembered.

She nodded immediately before gesturing again.

The doctor told you to rest. Why didn’t you listen?

Alessio chuckled softly. "My fever disappeared this morning. So I came to work."

Daisy frowned even harder. She shook her head firmly.

That doesn’t mean you’re completely better. You should still rest.

Alessio quietly watched her.

She looked genuinely annoyed. Her brows were furrowed. Her lips were pressed together in determination.

She looked... adorable.

Without realizing it, his smile became a little deeper.

"...You’re worried about me."

His voice was quieter than before.

Daisy blinked. Then she nodded naturally, as though the answer was obvious.

Yes. You’re my friend.

Those three simple words made Alessio completely freeze.

You’re my friend.

His heart gave an unfamiliar thump inside his chest.

For someone who had spent most of his life surrounded by fear, loyalty, and business relationships, such simple, sincere concern felt unexpectedly precious.

Rafael watched the scene from the side before silently looking up at the ceiling.

Hopeless. My brother is completely gone. No, no, he is hopelessly gone.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, still watching the two of them. Alessio was still smiling at Daisy, and Daisy was still scolding him with those earnest, worried eyes. It was honestly painful to watch.

Rafael’s mind began wandering to dangerous places.

Should I get rid of Cedric tonight?