His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 8

As she bent down to kiss him, Lumina suddenly lifted her gaze, eyes glinting with a sly, fox-like charm.

Cedric’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Heat and agitation flared inside him, and with a sudden motion, he pushed her aside. “Who said anything about breaking up?”

Lumina studied his face, her voice soft as silk. “Ms. Naylor told me you wanted to end things. She even gave me a generous sum of money and a house…”

Noticing the confusion in Cedric’s eyes, she arched a brow. “Or was Ms. Naylor just playing messenger without your say-so?”

Cedric’s frown flickered briefly. “Stella is always causing trouble.”

There wasn’t a trace of anger in his tone.

He went on, his voice calm, “I asked Stella to give you the house deed and the money. I’ll be spending more time with her for a while, but you’ll get every cent you deserve.”

Listening to his explanation, Lumina couldn’t help but let out a soft, bitter laugh.

So all these lavish gifts from Cedric weren’t a goodbye, but a bribe—payment to keep her around, to quietly endure the sight of him with another woman?

She would have preferred if he’d simply wanted to end things. At least then, she could have held on to some shred of respect for him.

She brushed her brow, sighing. “Mr. Royce, this isn’t fair. You expect me to stay spotless, yet you don’t hold yourself to the same standard.”

Cedric’s expression turned cold. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lumina met his gaze, her words clear and unyielding. “Let me spell it out, then. I’m not agreeing to this lopsided arrangement.”

Her eyes reflected his growing anger. “Since you’ve found someone new, consider the house and the money my severance. I won’t take a penny more.”

She drew a slow breath, lips curling in a final, crimson smile. “Let’s end this here, Cedric. Just as you wished—with dignity.”

With that, Lumina turned on her heel and strode out of the office without looking back.

A cold, twisted smile tugged at Cedric’s lips. He shoved the door open and stormed out, expression dark and thunderous.

Lumina hurried away, not just to avoid Cedric’s wrath, but because her stomach churned so violently she thought she might be sick.

Clutching her aching belly, she gritted her teeth and cursed Cedric under her breath.

It was all his fault—saying such reckless things in front of her babies!

She dashed to the nearest restroom, barely managing to lift the toilet lid before she was overtaken by a fierce wave of nausea.

By the time she finished, her legs were weak and trembling. Panting, she rested for a while, rinsed her mouth, and quickly fixed her makeup.

But as she stepped out, she found Cedric waiting by the door, tall and imposing, his gaze shadowed and suspicious as he stared her down.