Chapter 265
After Chris left, one of the housemaids came in not long after carrying lunch.
“Ma’am, lunch is ready p>
But Winter sat on the bed without moving. In the end, they could only set the meal on the sitting area table and quietly leave.
By early evening, Mr. White came upstairs. When he saw the untouched food still sitting there, he let out a soft sigh.
He walked over to the bed. Winter had been sitting there all afternoon, motionless, like a statue.
The sight of her made his heart ache. In a gentle voice, he coaxed, “Miss Winter, please eat something, all right? If you keep refusing food like this, Mr. Xander is only going to get upset, and that’ll not help you at all. Don’t punish your own body over this p>
Winter silently shook her head. “I don’t want to eat p>
Mr. White was the only person she gave even the slightest response to.
Without saying anything else, he turned on the lights in the room and left.
By then, it had gotten dark. A light rain had started, and the wind scattered the droplets against the window.
Winter sat on the bed, staring blankly at the raindrops sliding down the glass. She didn’t notice the bedroom door opening from the outside.
Chris had trained in martial arts since he was young, so his footsteps were quieter than most people’s.
He walked to the bedside and looked at her distant profile. His hand lifted, paused for a moment, then reached out to brush the loose strands of hair away from her cheek.
“Eat something p>
Winter stiffened slightly and pulled away from his hand. She kept her eyes on the window and didn’t move.
“You don’t want to go downstairs?” Chris wasn’t angry. He turned and told the staff, “Bring the food up here. Set up a bed tray so she can eat here p>
The maids froze for a second.
They had all come over from the Xander estate and had worked for the family for years. They knew Chris’s habits well. No one was ever allowed to eat in his room, let alone in his bed.
Winter said nothing. Before long, the staff brought the meal upstairs, set up a bed tray, and laid out several dishes.
Only after they left did Winter glance at the food. Chris stood nearby, fastening his cuffs slowly, clearly meaning to stay until she ate.
A cold smile touched her lips.
She planted both hands on either side of the tray and flipped it over with all her strength.
The food spilled across the blanket. Soup and sauce splashed everywhere, soaking into the dark blue bedding.
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Plates and bowls hit the mattress and floor with a sharp clatter, and in seconds the bed was a complete mess.
Chris paused mid–motion. His fingers curled slightly.
Winter kicked the tray aside, threw back the covers, got out of bed, and strode toward the bedroom door.
But Chris caught her wrist.
“What do you gain by deliberately trying to provoke me p>
“I feel better when I see you lose your temper p>
But there wasn’t a trace of anger on Chris’s face. He said calmly, “If the food here isn’t to your liking, I’ll take you out to eat p>
The second she thought of that so–called dinner date at the garden restaurant the other night, Winter couldn’t help mocking him.
“Oh, no thanks. What if your Skyla sees us? Do I have to die all over again p>
“It’ll not happen again p>
Winter gave a faint, mocking smile. “Mr. Xander, you really are something. If you say it won’t happen, then I guess it won’t happen p>
“Winter.” Chris gripped her shoulders. Beneath his palm, they felt even thinner than before, the bones almost pressing against his hand.
Winter shoved his hand away. Without even looking at him, she said softly, “Get away from me p>
Looking at her stubborn back, Chris said in a low voice, “Eat something, and I’ll give you Grandma’s photo
album p>
Winter stopped.
It was the photo album Mrs. Xander Sr. had looked through every single day when she was alive.
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Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.