Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 118: Chapter 118 What exactly had changed?

The next morning, soft rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains, bathing the bedroom in a warm golden glow.

Daisy stirred in her sleep. Her eyelashes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes. For a few sleepy seconds, her mind was completely blank, suspended in that peaceful haze between dreaming and waking. The room was quiet, the only sound the soft rhythm of breathing beside her.

Then a handsome face filled her vision.

Cedric.

He was sleeping on his side, his face only inches away from hers. His breathing was slow and steady, and his tousled hair fell naturally over his forehead. The morning light caught the edges of his features, softening them, making him look almost gentle.

Daisy’s eyes widened. She instinctively scooted backward in surprise.

Huh...?

The sudden movement woke her up completely. She quickly sat upright on the bed, staring at him in confusion. Her heart pounded against her ribs, her mind racing to piece together what had happened.

Why... am I on the bed?

She clearly remembered falling asleep on the couch. She remembered the cramped space, the thin cushion, the way she had curled into herself and closed her eyes. She had been so tired, so desperate for peace. She had chosen the couch because she couldn’t bear to share the bed with him, couldn’t bear the thought of lying next to someone who had never truly wanted her.

How had she ended up here?

Before she could think any further, her gaze accidentally drifted downward.

Her eyes landed on his bare chest.

The blanket had slipped down during the night, revealing the smooth expanse of his skin. His chest rose and fell with each slow breath, the muscles relaxed in sleep.

For a split second, a memory flashed through her mind.

Cedric holding Jessica. The two of them embracing each other. The very intimate moments she had accidentally witnessed after their marriage. The way he had looked at Jessica with tenderness, a tenderness he had never shown Daisy. The way he had kissed Jessica in the driveway while Daisy stood there, invisible and forgotten.

Her expression stiffened. The warmth she had felt moments ago disappeared completely, replaced by a cold, familiar ache that settled deep in her chest.

She quietly looked away.

Something inside her chest felt strangely uncomfortable. She pressed a hand against it, trying to ease the tightness.

She had noticed it these past few days. Cedric’s attitude toward her had changed. He stayed in her room. He teased her. Sometimes he even looked at her with a gaze she couldn’t quite understand. A gaze that made her feel exposed and confused.

If this had happened before, perhaps her heart would have raced. Perhaps she would have been happy. After all, she had loved him for so long. She had waited for him, hoped for him, dreamed of him. She had spent countless nights staring at the ceiling, wondering if he would ever look at her the way he looked at Jessica.

But now everything felt different.

Ever since Annie had told her that she had lost part of her memory, something inside Daisy had slowly changed.

She couldn’t explain it. It was as though the emotions that had once consumed her had become blurred, softened by a veil she couldn’t see through.

She still cared about Cedric. She still wanted him to be well but that overwhelming attraction and that desperate longing for his attention no longer held the same power over her.

Perhaps it was because she had started working. Every day in the laboratory brought something new to learn. She had made genuine friends. Ace, Mona and the rest of the research team. She had found a place where she was appreciated for her abilities rather than pitied for her silence.

Her world had quietly grown larger.

And because of that, Cedric was no longer the center of it.

More importantly, she knew where his heart belonged. Jessica. He had loved Jessica long before marrying Daisy. Everyone knew it. Even after the marriage, he had never hidden his feelings. He remained devoted to Jessica, openly, unashamedly.

Daisy still remembered those painful days after the wedding. Cedric had looked at her with nothing but resentment. He had blamed her for destroying his relationship. Called her weak. Accused her of marrying him for money and status. He had told her she was nothing to him, that he would never love her, that she was just a burden he had been forced to carry.

Every harsh word had carved itself into her memory.

Even now, those wounds hadn’t completely healed.

So when she noticed him acting differently these days, she didn’t feel hopeful. She felt confused.

Why now? Why, after everything? He loved Jessica. That had never changed. Then what exactly had changed?

Daisy quietly climbed out of bed, deciding not to wake him. She cast one last glance at the sleeping man before silently leaving the room, carrying the unanswered questions in her heart.

❀┈┈┈┈❀

Today was Daisy’s day off.

After freshening up, she stood in front of her wardrobe, quietly deciding what to wear. She needed to go shopping today. She wanted to buy a few more comfortable clothes for work, some daily necessities, and restock a few groceries she had been running out of.

After changing, she looked at herself in the mirror.

Without thinking too much, she had chosen a simple rose-red dress. The soft fabric reached just below her knees and its rich color made her fair skin appear even brighter. The dress had a modest neckline and short sleeves, perfect for a casual day out. She tied her hair into a loose ponytail, letting a few strands fall naturally around her face. She slipped on a pair of white sneakers and picked up her small handbag.

Before leaving the mansion, she silently folded her hands in front of her chest.

Please... Let Jenna come back a little later.

She genuinely hoped so. Jenna had never liked her. Whenever Jenna was around, the atmosphere in the mansion became tense, and Daisy instinctively became quieter than usual. She felt like she was walking on eggshells, constantly afraid of doing something wrong.

After whispering her little prayer in her heart, she left the house.

However, before going shopping, she decided to visit Grandpa James. It had been a while since she had seen him and she wanted to check on him. She missed him so much.

The moment she stepped into the familiar living room, she stopped.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Alessio was there.