Chapter: 620

But when he walked inside, he found Alicia waiting at home.

Caden leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed as he quietly observed Alicia.

She was busy unpacking a parcel, her focus on the contents, but his attention was entirely on her. Whatever was inside the parcel was of no interest to him.

Even in a simple knit sweater, she looked effortlessly chic, as if she were modeling something straight off a runway. Her smooth skin had a subtle rosy glow, and her long, glossy hair cascaded down her shoulders, adding to the quiet elegance she always seemed to carry.

After the long days of tension and exhaustion, Caden found an unexpected sense of calm just by watching her.

Silence hung over the two— neither wanting to disturb it.

Alicia, aware of his presence, didn't acknowledge him. Instead, she continued methodically organizing small items into a bag, as though he wasn't even here.

Caden's gaze darkened before he broke the stillness. "Which hotel are you moving to this time?"

Alicia finally glanced his way, her expression surprisingly calm.

Nothing seemed off about her, but he noticed something subtly different-she was much more composed than usual.

"What hotel?" she echoed, not missing a beat.

Caden's pointed gaze shifted to her busy hands.

His brow furrowed. She was obviously packing; wasn't she planning on leaving again?

Before he could ask, Alicia raised an eyebrow, her voice carrying a cool, dry tone. "Do I need to book a hotel just to take Cade to the dog groomer?"

It took him a moment to realize she wasn't preparing to leave at all.

Only then did it dawn on him that she was packing the pet carrier, not her luggage.

The items she was packing were all for Cade.

With a dry chuckle, he shrugged off his coat and stepped inside the room.

“Can't you just wash him at home?"

Her eyes flickered with a touch of sarcasm as she deadpanned, “Unless you've suddenly become an expert in bathing and trimming dogs, then sure, we can do it at home."

Caden paused, conceding defeat with a small nod. “Forget I said anything."

At that moment, Cade, the little rascal, trotted out from the other room and tugged playfully at his pant leg.

The tiny sounds of Cade's playful antics made the awkward silence between them even more noticeable.

Despite their earlier argument, Alicia hadn't left yet, which surprised Caden.

Besides, she looked so calm, like nothing had happened in Averibon.

Alicia finished packing and scooped Cade up in her arms.

“Will you be back for dinner?" Caden glanced at her, a swirl of emotions flickering behind his gaze.

"Yeah." She nodded. "What do you feel like eating?"

The simple question made his stomach growl, a grim reminder of how off everything had been lately.

The food in Averibon had been sickeningly sweet, and he hated it.