The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 40

"And remember that winter? It was pouring freezing rain, but he went out to get you fried chicken. He stuffed it inside his jacket so it wouldn't get cold, and the heat practically gave him a burn on his chest. Have you forgotten all of that?"

She hadn't forgotten.

The fact that the heir of the Landon family was willing to go out of his way for such trivial things had genuinely moved her. That was why she ignored the massive gap in their social status, dated him, and ultimately married him.

She wasn't irrational; in fact, she was incredibly clear-headed.

She knew that Cinderella stories almost never happened in the real world.

And even when they did, they rarely had the happily-ever-after promised in fairytales.

Marrying Pierce had been a massive gamble.

She had bet her entire life on his genuine sincerity.

It was a foolish move, but she took the bet anyway, pouring her entire heart into making their marriage work.

There was no denying that Pierce treated her well, but... "Like you said, that was when we were in school. What about after we got married?"

"He treats you well now, too," Quinn counted off on her fingers. "He buys you jewelry, designer bags, the latest limited-edition clothes, and he even donated top-tier medical equipment to the hospital where you work."

Riley offered a sad smile, shaking her head slowly. "But all I ever wanted was the Pierce who bought me pan-fried buns, boba tea, painkillers, and fried chicken. Because those things were what I actually needed."

Quinn fell completely silent.

It was true. Throwing money at someone when things were already good couldn't compare to being there for them when they truly needed it.

Though both were expressions of care, the difference in weight was obvious.

After a long pause, Quinn said, "The honeymoon phase isn't the same as marriage. Otherwise, why would they say marriage is the grave of love? No marriage stays in the honeymoon phase forever, right?"

Riley fully understood that logic.

The last name was Sterling.

The moment she stepped closer, Riley caught the distinct scent of that sweet, cloying perfume.

Riley instantly understood. This was the 'Lydia' Pierce had mentioned, clearly sent here by him to clear her suspicions.

"Thank you. Please have a seat." Riley accepted the gifts, handed them to Mrs. Gable, and asked her to prepare tea.

The two sat down on the sofa.

Riley studied Lydia for a moment before asking in confusion, "You strike me as an absolute powerhouse in the business world, Ms. Sterling. Why would you wear such a sickly-sweet perfume?"

It completely clashed with her professional aura.

For a split second, a wild thought flashed through Riley's mind: Pierce had hired Lydia specifically to dispel her doubts.