“We live together.” Damian’s voice was quiet, yet every word rang through the hallway with startling clarity.
Mark froze where he stood, while Sylvia also came to an abrupt stop before slowly turning to look at him.
The spacious hallway was instantly swallowed by a suffocating silence that seemed to stretch endlessly between them.
For several long moments, Sylvia simply stared at him, unsure if she had heard him correctly.
Meanwhile, Damian’s expression remained completely blank, as though he had merely commented on the weather or casually stated the undeniable fact that the sun rises in the east every morning.
Just when Sylvia thought he had finished speaking, he calmly added, “Husband and wife don’t live separately.” Sylvia’s thoughts raced, questions circled her mind relentlessly.
‘Why does it seem like I have just lifted a stone and smashed my own foot on my first day?’ But the thought only lingered for a fleeting moment before she composed herself once more.
Without saying a word, she slowly walked around his wheelchair until she was standing directly before him.
Then she deliberately bent down until they were almost at eye level, despite knowing perfectly well that he couldn’t see her.
Her gaze wandered across the parts of his handsome face that weren’t hidden behind his dark glasses.
A faint smile gradually curved across her lips.
Her floral fragrance surrounding her drifted into Damian’s senses once again.
Almost instinctively, he turned his face away.
But what followed was her voice.
“Mr.
Damian Evercrest…” Sylvia said softly.
“My answer is no.” Damian’s jaw clenched so tightly that the muscles beneath his skin twitched.
A dangerous glint flashed across his otherwise calm features.
“Miss Quinn,” he said coldly, “do I need to remind you that those were your exact words just a few minutes ago?” Sylvia chuckled lightly.
“Really?” She smiled with unmistakable amusement.
“Then perhaps I should remind you of something you said as well.” Her eyes narrowed playfully.
“You said the Quinn family’s daughter wasn’t worthy of bearing the Evercrest name.” She leaned a little closer, allowing her warm breath to gently brush against his cheek.
“So tell me, Mr.
Worthy…
how exactly are we supposed to sleep in the same room?” Damian’s fingers slowly tightened around the armrest of his wheelchair until his knuckles nearly turned white.
Seeing the subtle change in his expression, Sylvia’s smile widened ever so slightly.
Then, just as she had done earlier, she gently lifted the back of her hand and softly brushed it across his face.
The touch lasted only a brief second.
“So, Mr.
Worthy…” Her voice was teasing yet calm.
“Keep your room to yourself.” She paused before adding with a satisfied smile, “Besides…
you misunderstood me.
We definitely aren’t living together.” Without waiting for another reply, Sylvia straightened gracefully and stepped away from him.
Her eyes drifting toward the two bedrooms once more.
The master bedroom was already before them and certainly belonged to Damian.
As for the other one…
it didn’t really matter, as long as it wasn’t his.
She casually walked toward the room on the left.
Twisting the golden doorknob, she pushed the door open.
A spacious bedroom appeared before her.
The room was spotless, likely cleaned by the maid, or perhaps it had been prepared in advance.
Recalling the expression on the old man’s face earlier, Sylvia opted for the second possibility.
Behind her, Mark’s eyes moved back and forth between Damian and Sylvia.
He honestly didn’t know what to say anymore.
He had expected the Quinn family’s daughter to arrive timid and cautious given their social standing.
Besides, it had always been clear to everyone that the Evercrests stood far above the Quinn family.
And then his boss infamous reputation yet from the very first meeting…Instead of showing submission, both husband and wife had exchanged sharp blows without showing the slightest intention of backing down.
Sylvia, however, couldn’t care less about what either of them thought.
Right now, having a comfortable place to stay mattered far more than winning another argument.
She slowly surveyed the room once again making sure she wasn’t missing anything.
Fresh flowers decorated a nearby table, filling the air with a faint, pleasant fragrance.
The curtains had already been drawn open, allowing warm afternoon sunlight to pour gently across the polished floor and elegant furniture.
A dressing table stood at one side of the room, while a king-sized bed sat dominantly at the center.
Sylvia was certain she would still make a few necessary adjustments to the room later.
Besides, no matter how unreconciled they both were about this marriage, it would definitely take some time before it comes to an end.
Until then, she promised herself she would live well.
With that in mind, her eyes unconsciously settled on the closet, and her brow furrowed slightly as she recalled coming into this family with absolutely nothing.
She made a mental note to return to the Quinn family tomorrow and have her belongings packed.
But as for the room, she smiled with satisfaction, with one word echoing in her heart.
‘Perfect.’ Turning around, she waved casually at Mark.
“I’ll stay here.” Then a mischievous smile spread across her face.
“See you later, Mr.
Damian.” Before either man could stop her, Sylvia stepped inside and firmly shut the door behind her.
The loud thud echoed through the quiet hallway.
Mark stood there speechless.
After several seconds, he slowly turned toward Damian.
His face was filled with confusion.
“Sir…
what just happened?” Instead of answering immediately, Damian slowly turned her gaze towards the direction of the shut door, his glasses concealing whatever emotion he felt.
For a brief second, a slow smile appeared on his lips.
“Interesting.” He muttered.
Yet that wasn’t surprising rather it was the amusement in his voice with no trace of anger that left Mark almost stumped.
He couldn’t help but wonder if he was seeing things.
Yet no matter how many times he rubbed his eyes…it was still the same thing.
“Let’s go inside.” Damian smirked.
Mark nodded in agreement yet his head throbbed with so many questions.
‘Did Sir just…
smile?
And why in the world did he find this interesting?’ Unfortunately…
Those questions remained locked inside his mind.
Without daring to ask another word, he stepped forward and opened Damian’s bedroom door.
Damian pressed the control button on his wheelchair and quietly wheeled himself inside.
Mark entered after him before gently closing the door.
Once there were instide, Damian slowly reached up, removed his glasses, and slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of cold grey eyes that were unfocused.
He slid his hand into his suit pocket, pulled out a clean handkerchief, and gently wiped away the moisture gathering around his eyes.
“Sir…” Mark began cautiously.
Before he could finish speaking, Damian calmly interrupted him.
“Have my room rearranged.” Mark frowned.
“Sir?” Damian slid the handkerchief back with practiced ease, a testament to the fact that he had done it for a long time.
“We’re living together,” he said after a moment.
Mark’s mouth slowly fell open.
“But…
weren’t you the one who insisted on separate rooms earlier?” Damian leaned back in the wheelchair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
“She made a valid point.”