His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 111

Lumina quietly slipped the photograph to the very bottom of her bag. Just to be sure, she reached inside again, fingers brushing against the medicine packet, before zipping it shut.

She sat at Cedric’s bedside, reading for a while, until drowsiness overcame her. Closing the book, she switched off the lamp and lay back in bed.

But sleep didn’t come. She stared up at the pitch-black ceiling, waiting for Cedric.

It felt like ages before he finally finished his work. After a shower, he opened the door and slipped into the room. Lumina felt the bed sink under his weight.

As he lifted the covers, their eyes met in the darkness—his gaze surprised, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he reached out to brush her cheek. “Did I wake you?”

“I wasn’t asleep.” Lumina’s eyes were bright, a little damp, watching him with earnest intensity.

“Were you waiting for me?” He chuckled softly, leaned down, and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, but didn’t linger. “I still have another meeting in half an hour. Try to get some rest.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Lumina’s face. She nuzzled closer to him, pressing her lips to his, her voice muffled in a plea, “Can’t you skip it?”

She almost never made unreasonable demands about his work.

“What’s gotten into you tonight?” He let her kiss him, drawing in a slow breath as if steadying himself, though his eyes remained clear and rational.

Lumina didn’t answer, only slid her hand under his bathrobe—only to find his skin icy cold, as if he’d just stepped out of a freezing shower.

Just as the atmosphere grew thickest, he gently stopped her.

He fell silent, his expression clouded and unreadable, as he placed her hand back beneath the covers and straightened his robe. “Try to sleep.”

His tone held a trace of chill.

Lumina watched him walk away, her eyes stinging with tears she couldn’t hold back.

She closed her eyes, trying to sleep, but his absence pressed in on her. Soon, rain began to lash the windows—a sudden, violent storm no one had forecast—with thunder splitting the night, rattling her nerves.

Unable to bear it, Lumina threw off the covers and padded out of the bedroom.

The house was silent; all the staff had long gone to bed. The hush was so complete, she felt she could hear a pin drop.

Only a faint lamp glowed in Cedric’s study.

She crept in, glancing around. His laptop was closed, and he sat slouched on the sofa, head propped on his hand, a thin gray cashmere blanket draped over his knees—resting, not working.

On the desk, the paperwork was all dated two days ago. When she flipped open his computer, there were no meeting notes, no video calls.

He hadn’t been working at all. So why was he avoiding her, sleeping in the study?

Outside, the rain continued to drum against the tall windows.

Lumina crossed the room on tiptoe, settling gently into his lap and cradling his face as she kissed him.

Cedric’s weary eyes fluttered open, meeting her gaze, dark with longing.

He turned his face away from her kiss, sighing, his voice rough, “What’s gotten into you tonight?”

Lumina didn’t answer. He kept himself in check, watching her losing control, as if struggling against something inside himself.

But soon, restraint gave way.

When it was over, Cedric’s large hand rested on her damp hair, pulling her close, trying to kiss her.

That’s when he realized she was crying—silently, tears slipping down her cheeks as she lay in his arms.

Cedric kissed her tears away, voice husky and worn. “What’s wrong?”

Lumina shook her head, burying her face in his neck, quietly sobbing.

A knock sounded on the door, right on cue.

Nancy’s voice called from outside, “Ms. Jardin, Mr. Royce, it’s time to get up. The stylist and makeup artist are waiting downstairs.”

When Cedric woke, his arms were empty. Lumina was already in the shower, the frosted glass blurring her silhouette—his eyes lingered, a fleeting shadow crossing his face.

...

Lumina’s dress for the day was the same gray-pink satin gown Cedric had chosen for their very first gala together.

Now, with her hair and makeup done, she gave him a twirl, and for a moment, Cedric was struck by a rush of nostalgia, as if years had passed in a blink.

The party would begin that evening, but even that afternoon, Cedric was already mingling with guests, surrounded by laughter and admiration, the perfect host.

In the midst of it all, Soren called Lumina. She slipped away to answer, stepping into the powder room.

“I’m downstairs—where are you?” Soren asked.

Lumina smiled, “I’m already in the ballroom. Just come straight in.”

He raised an eyebrow, then laughed. “Alright, see you soon.”

As she hung up, she heard the slow creak of a stall door opening behind her.

Winona stepped out from the shadows, her face pale and drawn, eyes rimmed red, and the sight of her in the dim light was almost ghostly.

Lumina turned, brow furrowing, her grip tightening on her phone.

Winona strode over, eyes blazing, and raised her hand to strike. “Cedric treats you so well, and yet you go after his brother? Are you completely shameless?”