Chapter 223 Finally, I can do whatever I want

Chapter 223: Chapter 223 Finally, I can do whatever I want

After struggling for what felt like hours, Cedric finally managed to fall asleep.

His body was exhausted enough to surrender but his mind had remained restless until the very last moment. Even after sleep finally came, it wasn’t peaceful.

His brows remained slightly furrowed and every now and then, he shifted beneath the blankets as fragments of the day’s events continued drifting through his dreams.

Divorce memories followed him even into sleep.

A few hours later, Cedric felt something against his hair.

At first, he barely registered it.

Fingers slowly moved through his hair, gently brushing between the strands before nails lightly scratched against his scalp.

Cedric’s brows twitched.

Then the fingers moved lower, gliding slowly from the back of his head toward his neck before traveling down across his back.

A shiver ran through him.

His sleeping mind struggled to understand what was happening.

Then the touch came again.

Cedric’s eyes snapped open.

"What the fuxk...?"

For a moment, he was completely disoriented.

The room was dark, his vision blurred from sleep, and his heart was suddenly pounding against his chest.

Then he felt the fingers against his back again.

His body reacted before his mind could catch up.

Cedric immediately twisted around and shoved the person away with all the strength he had.

"Get away from me!"

"Ah!"

Thud!

The person fell straight onto the floor beside the bed.

Cedric froze. His breathing was heavy as he stared down in shock.

The sound of the fall finally dragged the last traces of sleep from his mind. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness.

Then they widened.

"...Jessica?"

Jessica was sitting on the floor, staring up at him with complete disbelief.

Her hair had become slightly messy from the fall and one hand was resting against her arm where she had landed. Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted and for several seconds, she looked as though she couldn’t even process what had just happened.

Neither of them spoke. The silence between them became increasingly awkward.

Jessica’s lower lip trembled. "Riccy...?"

Her voice was small and hurt. "You pushed me away?"

Cedric stared at her. Reality finally caught up with him. His eyes widened further.

"I..."

He immediately threw the blanket aside and climbed out of bed.

Jessica slowly stood up, brushing herself off while rubbing her arm. She looked away from him. Her eyes had already begun to glisten.

She blinked quickly, trying to keep the tears from falling.

Cedric’s expression changed the moment he noticed. "Jessica..."

He took a step toward her. "I’m sorry."

Jessica didn’t answer. She simply turned her face slightly away, blinking again as she tried to control her emotions.

Cedric felt guilty. Jessica rarely cried. He had known her for years and he could barely remember seeing tears in her eyes. She had always been confident, outspoken and quick to argue whenever something upset her.

Seeing her standing in front of him now, visibly hurt because of something he had done, made his guilt grow even more.

"I didn’t mean to push you."

He rubbed his tired face and let out a breath. "I was asleep. I suddenly felt someone touching my hair and then my back and I got scared. I wasn’t thinking."

Jessica finally looked at him. "So you thought I was someone who was attacking you?"

Cedric hesitated. He looked at her. Then at the floor. Then back at her. "...I wasn’t thinking."

Jessica lowered her gaze. Her eyelashes were still wet.

Cedric sighed. He had already been feeling miserable since the divorce. His thoughts had been tangled all day and even when he finally managed to sleep, Daisy had somehow followed him into his dreams.

Now Jessica was standing in front of him with tears in her eyes because he had pushed her away.

He felt like an even bigger asshole.

He stepped closer. "Hey..." His voice softened. "I’m really sorry."

Jessica remained silent.

Cedric stood there awkwardly for a moment before glancing toward the spot where she had fallen. "Are you hurt?"

Jessica slowly shook her head. "No."

Cedric’s brows furrowed. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. Then, after a brief pause, she looked back at him. "But you really scared me."

Something about the quiet hurt in her voice made Cedric’s expression soften. "I know."

He swallowed. "I’m sorry, Jessica."

Jessica looked at him for several seconds. Then she suddenly stepped closer and lightly rubbed her arm again.

Cedric immediately noticed. "Does it hurt?"

"A little."

His guilt returned instantly. "Let me see."

He reached toward her arm but Jessica hesitated for a moment before allowing him to gently check it. Cedric carefully examined the spot where she had fallen. There was no serious injury but the sight of even a faint red mark made him frown.

"I really didn’t mean to do that."

"I know," Jessica whispered.

Cedric looked at her.

Jessica lowered her eyes. "I just wanted to see you."

Her voice became even softer. "You weren’t answering my calls, so I came here."

Cedric’s expression changed slightly. He had completely forgotten about the phone calls.

Jessica glanced up at him. "I thought something had happened to you."

Cedric remained silent for a moment. Then he sighed. "I should have answered."

Jessica gave him a small, sad smile. "You should have."

Cedric looked at her and felt another wave of guilt. "I’m sorry."

This time, Jessica didn’t answer immediately. Finally, she said, "Fine."

Cedric blinked. "Fine?"

Jessica nodded. "I forgive you."

Cedric released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. "Thank you."

Jessica looked at him for another second before adding joke, "But next time, please don’t throw me onto the floor."

Cedric’s face immediately became awkward. He really didn’t feel like laughing after everything that had happened but seeing Jessica trying to lighten the situation, he still forced a small smile. "Fine."

Jessica brushed her hair back and looked at him for a moment. Then her expression changed slightly.

"So..." She hesitated before finally asking, "About the divorce..."

Cedric’s smile disappeared for a brief second. His eyes lowered.

Daisy.

For some reason, just hearing the word divorce made his chest feel strangely tight.

He quickly pushed the thought away. He couldn’t let Jessica know. He didn’t want anyone to know that he regretted divorcing Daisy. Especially not Jessica.

So Cedric lifted his head and put on a careless smirk. "I am free now."

He spread his hands slightly as if the divorce had been the best thing that had ever happened to him. "No more burden of pretending like a couple with Daisy."

He chuckled lightly. "Finally, I can do whatever I want."

Jessica looked at him with a wide smile, her eyes brightening with relief and happiness.

Cedric kept smiling but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.