Called Off the Wedding, Left Him Bankrupt novel Chapter 187

Cynthia stood outside her bedroom door, carefully balancing a bowl of hangover soup in her hands. She almost pushed the door open without a thought, but hesitated, then raised her hand and knocked lightly.

"I made you some soup for your hangover," she murmured, keeping her voice low so the guests downstairs wouldn't hear.

No answer came from inside. Puzzled, Cynthia cracked the door open just a sliver and peeked in.

There probably wasn't anyone more pitiful than her, she thought bitterly—not even allowed to enter her own room without tiptoeing.

The light was on, but Dominic, who'd been sitting at her vanity earlier, was nowhere to be seen. From the bathroom came the faint sound of running water.

Cynthia slipped inside, set the bowl on the table, and almost instantly, Dominic emerged from the bathroom. His black shirt was spotted with water, droplets still clinging to his face.

Cynthia blinked in surprise. He sobered up fast, she thought.

Dominic glanced at her and said in his usual indifferent tone, "Hope you don't mind—I borrowed your bathroom."

She nodded, trying to sound casual. "It's fine. Go ahead."

He murmured a brief thanks, brushing past her to grab a tissue from her vanity and dab the water from his face.

Awkward silence settled between them. Cynthia pressed her lips together, glanced at the bowl of soup, then spoke softly.

"I made you some soup. I'm not sure if you'll like it, but… would you try a little?"

After a brief hesitation, she picked up the bowl and offered it to him.

Without a second thought, Dominic took the bowl and downed the soup in one go, not the slightest bit wary—as if he didn't fear she or Juliet might have set a trap for him.

He set the empty bowl down and looked at Cynthia. Her eyes, bright and beautiful, locked onto his, full of anticipation.

Juliet turned as well, her expression calm and unruffled, as if nothing was amiss.

Cynthia drew a deep breath, forced a smile, and stepped to the top of the stairs. She called after Dominic in a gentle voice, "Take care on your way home. Let me know when you get there."

There was nothing else she could do now but try to smooth things over.

Dominic paused in the living room, glanced back at Cynthia, and gave a crisp nod. "Sure."

With that, he strode toward the door.

Cynthia noticed the curiosity fade from the guests' faces, and finally allowed herself a small sigh of relief. Still, she couldn't quite relax—what if the deal she'd worked so hard to arrange fell apart because of some suspicion?

She mustered another smile. "Let me walk you to the door."