The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 567

"It's just been work. Nothing but work," he added flatly.

She quickly averted her eyes, staring straight ahead. "You need a work-life balance. Take care of your health. You can't run an empire if you run yourself into the ground."

He turned his head to study her, his gaze darkening for a second before he reeled it in. "Right." A beat passed. "Did you remarry him?"

She knew exactly who he was. Pierce Landon. A sickening jab of pain shot through her, and her fingers twitched. "No. I'm taking my time. I want to be cautious."

"Caution is wise."

Silence descended upon them again, heavy and suffocating.

A desperate part of her yearned to stretch out these seconds with him, but the stifling quiet felt like physical torture. It was pure agony—elated just to be near him, yet shattered that they were reduced to this hollow, formal exchange.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she parted her lips. "It's getting late. I should—"

He cut her off seamlessly, entirely ignoring her exit strategy. "How is my mother's condition?"

The goodbye died on her tongue. "Aunt Madeline is doing much better. We can calmly discuss your past now. Even when I bring up your disappearance, it doesn't immediately trigger an episode. She safely retreats into her mental safe space instead. It's massive progress, but this takes time."

"I'm not worried. Not as long as she's in your hands."

Her heart skipped a dangerous beat. His absolute, unwavering trust in her chipped away at her armor, creating a terrifying illusion that they were still together.