As Kyson listened, his mood darkened.
Suddenly, he slammed his fork down, stood up, and announced, âIâm full.
Enjoy your meal.
â
He headed for the stairs and disappeared in less than a minute.
Sally shook her head and muttered, âWhat a hopeless case.
After all these years and heâs married, he still canât stand to hear about any hardship in Lucindaâs life.
â
Dulcie sensed an undercurrent of tension.
âSally, was Lucinda you mentioned closely connected to Kyson? Why does he react like that when you talk about her?â
Sally offered a strained smile.
âOh, I almost forgot you were here, Dulcie.
My apologies.
Itâs just old history.
She was his childhood friend, nothing more.
â
Childhood friend?
Dulcie contemplated this revelation.
If this woman was the cause of Kysonâs perpetual moodiness, she surely mattered.
Noticing Dulcieâs distraction, Sally served some food onto her plate, attempting to distract her from her earlier words.
âTry this, Dulcie.
Itâs delicious.
And donât worry about the childhood friend talk.
Itâs irrelevant.
He married you, which means youâre the one he loves now.
â
Ryder pressed a hand to his lips, and then cleared his throat conspicuously.
He realized Sallyâs remarks were only stirring more trouble.
âDulcie, donât mind her.
She doesnât know what sheâs talking about.
Just enjoy the meal.
Our chefâs cooking rivals that of any Michelin- starred restaurant.
Make sure to try everything,â he encouraged.
âOkay.
Thanks, Ryder.
â
Dulcie continued eating, trying to push the thoughts away, yet the name âLucindaâ lingered in her mind.
It was ten oâclock in the evening.
Kyson was still working in his study.
Dulcie, holding a glass of freshly squeezed juice prepared by the chef, knocked on the door of his study.
âCome in.
â
His voice was calm and carried an attractive timbre.
She opened the door, placed the juice on his desk, and expressed her gratitude.
âMr.
Shaw, thank you for helping me in the yard today.
Iâll be more vigilant and ensure Iâm no trouble to you here.
â
Kyson ceased typing and looked up slowly.