Chapter 293 | Affection Increase

Chapter 293: 293 | Affection Increase

Dexter remained beside Selene a moment longer before walking toward the kitchen.

Selene stood near the doorway, turning her face toward him as he approached, her pale eyes finding the faint warmth she could distinguish around his shape.

"Selene?"

"It’s all right."

He frowned gently. "What is?"

She hesitated. The words she had prepared seemed too large now that he was standing in front of her. "The fact that she really mattered to you."

Dexter became still and Selene lowered her face.

"You don’t have to pretend she didn’t."

He looked at her for a long moment, then reached out and stroked her

"You heard?"

A faint blush spread across her cheeks. "The door didn’t close properly."

Dexter chuckled slightly at the timing of it, but the feeling in his chest was too complicated. Selene didn’t remove her head from his strokes as she whispered.

"You can be sad about it."

Dexter’s expression softened. "I have a lot to be worried about and not much time to be sad."

"I know."

She then quietly asked whether he had eaten enough.

Dexter went to his room. He had barely sat on the edge of the bed when someone appeared at the doorway—Lyra. He smiled.

"Come in."

She crossed the room without her usual mischievous expression. For a moment, he thought she was going to ask about Jasmine. Instead, she sat beside him. The mattress dipped, her shoulder brushed his, and then she leaned over and rested her head against him.

Dexter looked down at her dark hair. "Comfortable?"

She nodded, but she did not speak.

After a while, he relaxed and let his cheek rest lightly against the top of her head. The room was quiet and peaceful.

Eventually, her voice entered his mind. ’Take’

She suddenly gave him her favorite pastries.

Dexter smiled. "Are you sure you want to give it to me?"

Lyra nodded her head. ’Yes.’

Dexter reached for it and took it but it remained stuck in Lyra’s hand before she eventually released it.

’Eat it sparingly.’

"I will."

She settled more comfortably against him, and only then did the system chime.

[AFFECTION INCREASE]

[Mira: Affection +7]

? Previous Affection: 58%

? Current Affection: 65%

? Stage: Love

[Selene: Affection +5]

? Previous Affection: 61%

? Current Affection: 66%

? Stage: Love

[Lyra: Affection +5]

? Previous Affection: 65%

? Current Affection: 70%

? Stage: Love

Dexter looked at the notifications, then at the woman resting against him. A quiet warmth spread through his chest. He dismissed the display.

Lyra shifted. ’What are you smiling about?’

He brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. "Nothing much. Just looking forward to eating it."

She studied him suspiciously, then her lips curved. ’Me too.’

...

Across the city, Jasmine sat on a bench outside the Hero Association with the folder on her lap.

She had not gone directly back to home. For a while, she had walked without deciding where to go, and then she had found herself outside the branch building and sat down because her legs felt strangely tired.

She opened the folder once, looked at the photograph of the little shop, and closed it.

She did not hate Dexter. That would have been easier.

She did not even hate his wives as she understood those things better now.

She had arrived holding a piece of his past and assumed that meant there was a place waiting for her in his future.

"Miss Constance?"

Jasmine looked up. A middle-aged man in a dark suit stood several paces away, his posture familiar even before she recognized the small crest on his cuff. Ashford.

Her expression closed. "Yes?"

"My name is Hale. I handle several of the family’s external affairs."

"What do you want?"

Her voice turned frosty as she glared at him. If not for them, the Ashford, Dexter would have been with her, they would have belonged together.

He glanced toward the empty space at the other end of the bench. "May I?"

"I’d rather you told me why you’re here."

The man accepted that without visible offense. "It concerns Dexter."

Jasmine’s fingers tightened around the folder. "What about him?"

"The family has become aware of his recent progress. His registration as a hero. His developing business."

"How fortunate for them."

Hale inclined his head. "I understand your reaction."

"I doubt that."

He did not argue. Instead, he lowered his voice. "There are people within the household who believe the situation was handled poorly."

Jasmine looked at him coldly. "Handled poorly?"

"The family would like an opportunity to speak with him."

"Then call him."

"We suspect he would refuse."

"Perhaps you should consider why."

For the first time, Hale paused. Then he said, "That is precisely why I approached you."

Jasmine almost stood. He continued before she could.

"You knew him before the present difficulties. He may trust you enough to consider a conversation."

"You mean you want me to persuade him to return."

"To help bring him home."

Her gaze sharpened. "He already has a home."

Hale studied her face, then smoothly adjusted. "A reconciliation, then. Whatever form he is willing to consider."

Jasmine said nothing. The man drew a card from his pocket.

"The family would also be willing to recognize those who help repair this misunderstanding. You could benefit from their protection. Your aunt and her children could."

A chill ran through her. "How do you know about my family?"

"Miss Constance, you worked for the Ashfords. There are records."

The answer was mild but that made it worse. Hale continued.

"Your former position could be restored on considerably better terms. A permanent appointment in the household office, if you wished it."

"Over my dead body. I have a job and I worked hard for it and I’m satisfied by it."

His expression became solemn. "No offense was intended."

She did not believe that. Yet she did not walk away, because another thought had taken hold beneath her anger.

Dexter had chosen his life—she had heard him—but choosing his wives did not mean he should spend the rest of that life waiting for the Ashfords to interfere.

If the family could be persuaded to leave him alone...

Hale watched her consider it as he gave her time.

Finally, Jasmine spoke. "If you want to repair anything, you can begin by respecting his decision."

"Of course."

"There’s no condition attached to a meeting."

"Of course."

She looked down at the card without taking it. "

"Just a request to speak," Hale said. "Nothing more."

Jasmine exhaled slowly. It sounded harmless when put that way.

"He’s busy today," she said at last. "Tomorrow maybe. But you should ask first. I’ll speak to him before anything is arranged."

Hale nodded. "Tomorrow then."