Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Stardust

She walked around the bushes, her feet carrying her to the far corner of the garden, where the hedges grew thick and wild. Behind a large flowering bush, hidden from view, stood an old storeroom. It was small, made of weathered stone, with a wooden door that did not lock properly. The gardeners used it to store tools and fertilizer.

But Daisy had claimed it as her refuge.

She pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside. The air was cool and smelled of earth and old wood. She reached into the corner, where she had hidden a small bundle weeks ago.

Her knitted blanket.

She had made it herself, slowly, secretly, stitching together scraps of yarn she had found in the storage room. It was small, barely big enough to cover her shoulders, but it was enough.

She pulled out the blanket and wrapped it around herself.

Then she walked back outside, behind the trimmed wall of bushes, where the grass was soft and the moonlight was bright. She laid the blanket on the ground and sat down.

She looked up at the sky.

The stars were beautiful tonight. Thousands of them, scattered across the darkness, twinkling like tiny promises.

Daisy had read somewhere, a long time ago, that the atoms in our bodies were once made inside stars. That the iron in our blood, the calcium in our bones, the oxygen in our lungs—all of it was forged in the hearts of dying stars billions of years ago.

That was why some people said we are made of stardust.

Daisy liked that idea.

She liked thinking that she was not just a mute girl in a baggy dress, thrown out of a house where she was not wanted. She was stardust. She was the remains of something ancient and beautiful and eternal.

She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her blanket tighter around her shoulders.

❀┈┈┈┈❀

Meanwhile, Cedric was at the beach house, staying with his friends and Jessica.

The house was luxurious, all white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. The sound of waves crashing against the shore drifted through the open doors, mixing with the laughter and clinking glasses inside. Fairy lights were strung across the patio, casting a warm golden glow over the group of people lounging on couches and leaning against the railing.

Cedric sat on a large outdoor sofa, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His blue eyes were half-lidded, tired from the sun and the drinks and the endless noise. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, his sleeves rolled to his elbows. He looked relaxed and free.

He did not think about Daisy. He never thought about Daisy when he was here.

"Oh boy, we had so much fun!" Naomi said, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. She was sitting across from Cedric, her legs crossed, her dress short, her eyes fixed on him with something hungry. "Ricky, you should have brought your wife!"

Cedric’s jaw tightened.

Naomi knew about Daisy. Everyone knew about Daisy. The mute wife. The woman Cedric never talked about and never brought anywhere.

Naomi had seen her once, at a charity gala. Daisy had been wearing a simple white dress, her caramel hair loose around her shoulders, her dark eyes wide and scared. Naomi had stared at her for a full minute, unable to look away.

She had to admit. She was stunning and Ethereal, like something out of a painting.

And Cedric had ignored her the entire night.

"She isn’t into fun and parties," Cedric said, downing his whiskey in one gulp. His voice was flat. He did not like talking about his wife.

Jessica was leaning against the railing nearby, a cocktail in her hand. She was wearing shorts and a short white top that showed off her cleavage, her red hair blowing gently in the ocean breeze. She did not notice Naomi’s jealous gaze. She was too busy drinking.

She finished her drink and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind. She pressed her chest against his back and leaned down to murmur in his ear.

"I am so tired," she said, her voice soft and playful.

Cedric reached up and patted her arm. "Go rest. I will be up soon."

Jessica smiled and kissed his cheek. Then she swayed back toward the house, disappearing through the glass doors.

Naomi watched her go, her eyes burning with jealousy.

"Oh right," Liam said, stretching his arms above his head. He was sitting on a lounge chair, his feet propped up on the table. "I have seen his wife. At that gala last year. Oh god, she is so stunning. I mean, have you seen her beauty?"

Cedric’s frown deepened. His fingers tightened around his empty glass.

"Those eyes," Liam continued, shaking his head. "Those big dark eyes and her skin like porcelain and her hair—"

"Let’s not talk about her," Cedric interrupted, his voice cold.

Liam smiled fakely and nodded his head. "Of course. Of course."

But his eyes flickered with judgment and disgust.

To be honest, Liam thought Cedric’s behavior was disgusting. If he liked Jessica, he should divorce Daisy. Why destroy an innocent girl’s life? Why keep her locked in that mansion, ignored and unloved, while he paraded around with his mistress?

But Liam said nothing. Cedric was his rich and powerful friend and he did not want to lose that.

So he smiled and drank his drink and kept his thoughts to himself.

Cedric poured himself another glass of whiskey.

He thought about Daisy. Despite himself. Despite his best efforts.

He thought about her yellow dress this morning. The way she had looked standing in the hallway, her caramel hair tied in a bun, her dark eyes wide and hopeful.

He thought about the drink she had made him when he was sick. The way she had looked at him, waiting for his approval, desperate for a crumb of kindness.

Cedric downed his whiskey.

He did not know why he felt uncomfortable when Liam talked about her beauty. He did not know why his chest tightened when he thought about her waiting for him at home.

He did not love her. He did not even like her.

So why did he care?

Jessica appeared at the glass doors, yawning. "Baby, let’s go."

She walked over to him and kissed his lips. Once. Twice. Three times.

Cedric kissed her back, but his mind was somewhere else.