Chapter 3 – His Second Chance Love: The Freezing Silence

With that, I climbed the stairs and returned to the bedroom.

My actions weren’t out of pure kindness by any means. Back when my grandmother was hospitalized, Jared was her attending surgeon. He was an internationally renowned doctor. If it weren’t for the Featherstones, he would never have agreed to perform surgery on my grandmother. The clothes were my way of repaying him.

The next day.

After a whole night of heavy rain, the morning air was filled with a musky and fresh scent. I was used to waking up early. After washing up, I went downstairs only to see Anthony and Rylee in the kitchen.

Anthony had a black apron tied around his hips as he was frying eggs by the stove. Gone was his harsh and wintry vibe. Now, he seemed as though he was surrounded by a halo of joy.

Rylee’s bright eyes followed his movements. Her delicate and pretty face was slightly flushed, likely due to the fact that her fever had only just subsided. She actually appeared both cute and charming.

“Anth, I want my fried eggs to be slightly burnt.” As she spoke, her hand lifted to feed Anthony a strawberry before she continued, “But not too burnt, or it’ll taste bitter.”

Anthony munched on the strawberry as he turned his gaze toward her. Although he had merely kept silent, his eyes were enough to convey the extent of his indulgence toward her.

They were both blessed with refined features and they made such a fine couple.

Their gestures were warm and sweet; there was indeed romance in the air.

“They look really good together, don’t you think so?” A voice resounded from behind, startling me. I looked over my shoulder and found Jared standing there. I forgot that it had rained heavily last night, and given Rylee was down with a high fever, of course Anthony did not let Jared leave.

“Good morning!” I smiled when my gaze lowered and realized that he was wearing the clothes I had given him the previous night.

Observing my gaze, Jared raised his brows with a smile. “These clothes fit me quite well. Thank you.”

I shook my head. “Don’t mention it!” I had bought it for Anthony, but he never once bothered to try it.

Hearing our voices, Rylee turned toward us and called out, “Sienna, Jared. You’re both awake. Anthony has fried some eggs for breakfast. Come on over and have some!”

She spoke as though she was the lady of the household.

Shooting her a bland smile, I hurriedly refused, “It’s fine. I bought some bread and milk yesterday. The milk is still in the fridge. You’ve only just recovered, so you should drink more.” I lived here for two years; the title deed had both my name and Anthony’s listed on it.

Although I was often compliant, it was only natural that I could not bear seeing someone else barge into my home and acting as if they owned the place.

Rylee was stunned upon hearing my words. Her eyes darkened a little and she looked back at Anthony, tugging on his sleeve before telling him softly, “Anth, I was out of line last night. I see that I have disturbed both you and Sienna. Can you ask her to stay to have breakfast with us? Just take it as an apology from me, please?”

I…

Haha! Indeed, some people don’t need to work to earn an ounce of affection. All they need to do is bat their lashes and act vulnerable, and they’ll be able to get away with even murder.

Anthony had initially paid me no heed, but when Rylee spoke up, he glanced at me and stated, “Let’s eat together.”

His tone was cold and commanding.

Did it hurt? I was already numb to the pain.

I flashed a smile and nodded. “Thank you.”

I could never bear to refuse Anthony. Because he was someone whom I had fallen in love with at first sight, getting over him would be undoubtedly difficult.

I supposed that it was my lucky day since this was the first time that I got to taste the food made by Anthony. Fried eggs and bacon were nothing special, but they still left a deep impression on me. All along, I had thought that a man like Anthony Featherstone was above everyone else. I thought he would never stoop so low as to cook with his own two hands.

“Sienna, try the fried eggs that Anth has made. They’re excellent. When we were together, he always made this for me,” Rylee urged while placing an egg on my plate.

Then, with a saccharine smile on her face, she gave one to Anthony as well. “Anth, you promised to accompany me to see the flowers today. You can’t break your promise, okay?”

“Mm!” Anthony responded while eating his breakfast, his movements as refined as that of a prince. He was never one to speak unnecessarily, but whenever it came to Rylee, he would always be sure to respond to all of her questions and requests.

Jared seemed to be accustomed to this already as he ate his breakfast in a sophisticated manner. He was quietly watching our interactions as if he was an outsider.

I lowered my gaze as my brows furrowed into a frown. Grandpa’s funeral is today! If Anthony leaves with Rylee, what’s going to happen to our plan of going to the Featherstones family home…

No one could fully enjoy their breakfast today. After having a few bites, Anthony headed upstairs to change his clothes. I set my cutlery down and followed after him.

In the bedroom.

Anthony knew that I had entered after him so he asked in an indifferent voice, “Do you need something?”

With that, he casually removed his clothes, putting his sturdy figure on display. I instinctively turned around so that my back would face him. “Grandpa’s funeral is today!”

I heard some shuffling noises behind me as well as the sound of his zipper being zipped. His monotonous voice soon followed. “You can go over yourself.”

The frown on my face deepened. “He is your grandfather, Anthony.” Anthony was the eldest grandson of the Featherstones. If he were absent from the funeral, what would the rest of his family think?

“I’ve already told Joseph Campbell to handle the funeral. You can communicate with him on the details.” He spoke without emotion as if he were explaining a matter that was irrelevant to him.

When he walked toward his study, a pang of sadness engulfed me. I was quick to raise my voice. “Anthony, is everyone other than Rylee dispensable to you? Does your family mean nothing to you?”

He paused in his stride before turning to look at me with narrowed eyes. Emanating a chilly vibe, he told me, “You’re not in a position to lecture me on my family matters.”

After a brief pause, he curled his lips and spat disdainfully, “You’re not worthy!”

His words hit me like a bucket of cold water, chilling me to the bone.

As I listened to his gradually retreating steps, a mirthless chuckle escaped my lips.

I am unworthy!

Hah!

Two long years had passed. Yet, my efforts in getting him to warm up to me were futile.

“I thought you’re thick-skinned, but I never expected you to poke your nose into other people’s businesses as well.” A mocking voice reached my ears.

I turned toward the voice and saw Rylee leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed in front of her chest. Gone was her cute and innocent facade. Instead, a frosty expression had taken residence on her face.

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