Chapter 16 He Made Her Breakfast The housekeeper , Hattie , let out a cheerful laugh and said , " Mr. Hawthorne made breakfast today . I never expected him to be so good in the kitchen . You're one lucky woman , Mrs. Hawthorne . " Lyra stared at Maxen's back , emotions churning inside her . She had only learned that he could cook from Jeanette Hawthorne . Jeanette was his cousin , and like most of the Hawthorne family , she never really cared for Lyra . Jeanette also knew about Maxen's relationship with Veronica . When Lyra had first married into the family , Jeanette had deliberately brought up Veronica in front of her , even boasting about how deeply he had once loved her . So , in short , Lyra had pieced together that he learned to cook for Veronica . Maxen had never once cooked for Lyra . But for Veronica , he had been willing to learn . And now , out of the blue , he had decided to make breakfast . The gesture left a bitter taste in Lyra's mouth . She couldn't make sense of the years of coldness and indifference Maxen had shown her , and now , all of a sudden , his behavior had shifted . 1/6 22:01 Chapter 16 He Made Her Breakfast +2 Bonus Lyra figured that he was just trying to make a decent last impression on his soon - to - be ex - wife , or maybe , deep down , he wasn't ready to let go . " Oh , hey there , " Maxen said as he set two plates on the table . It was lasagna , made in the Italian style . He pushed one of the plates toward Lyra before pulling out his chair and sitting down . " I just threw something together . It's on the sweeter side . I figured that's more your taste . " After Hattie helped her pull out the chair , Lyra sat down and glanced at the plate in front of her . In truth , Lyra didn't like sweet food . Maxen had just never cared enough to notice . But at this point , she figured it didn't matter . They were getting divorced anyway . " Thanks , " she said politely . Maxen narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at her . Hattie smiled from the side , " Mr. Hawthorne really dotes on you , Mrs. Hawthorne . " Lyra's expression stiffened slightly . He dotes on me ? Yeah , that's one way to put it . 2/6 22:01 Chapter 16 He Made Her Breakfast +2 Bonus Maxen , graceful and composed , continued eating his breakfast with a knife and fork . He added calmly , " My wife works hard . Of course , I ought to show some consideration . " Lyra fell silent . Hearing that , Hattie looked at Maxen as if he were the perfect husband . She even thought to herself that a man like him was one in a million . Soon after , she headed off to tidy up . Once she was gone , only Lyra and Maxen remained at the table . Lyra didn't take his earlier comment to heart . After all , he had always been courteous in front of Hattie . He had never treated Lyra coldly in her presence . But Lyra knew the truth . That side of Maxen only showed because Hattie was the only person outside the Hawthorne family who knew they were married . Besides , she knew that with Maxen's personality , there was no way he would allow anyone to find fault with his role as a husband . Keeping the marriage under wraps just made things more convenient for him . Even when he married Veronica in the future and legitimized Felix , it would all seem perfectly aboveboard . She would never וד 9 171 = 12 19 耳 3/6 22:01 Chapter 16 He Made Her Breakfast be seen as the other woman . +2 Bonus As that thought crossed Lyra's mind , a bitter taste rose in her throat . After a moment of silence , Maxen picked up a napkin and dabbed the corner of his mouth . His tone was light . " There's a clinical trial conference on robotic surgery next week . Take Veronica with you . " Lyra froze , staring at him in disbelief . " You want me to take her ? " The clinical research conference on robotic surgery was one of the most prestigious medical gatherings in the country, attended by all the chief physicians . Veronica held the title of department head on paper , but it was purely nominal . She had only landed a position at Downtown Memorial Hospital because of Maxen's influence . Yet even knowing the gravity of the event , he still suggested Lyra bring Veronica along . Everything about his actions made it obvious that he was determined to help Veronica climb the ranks . Maxen looked up and stared at Lyra . " What , you don't want to ? " Lyra replied , " Why don't you have someone else take her ? " She 4/6 22:01 Chapter 16 He Made Her Breakfast didn't say no outright , but her resistance was obvious . +2 Bonus Maxen's expression darkened slightly . " I know you have issues with her , but this time , it's not up to you . " Lyra drew in a breath and finally asked the question that had been weighing on her . " You are trying to help her , aren't you ? " Maxen was quiet for a moment , neither confirming nor denying it . " And if I am ? " Lyra said nothing . What a line … But really , what does it matter anymore ? Seeing how pale Lyra looked , Maxen pressed his lips together and softened his tone . " Don't worry . She won't threaten your position . " He also meant Veronica wouldn't threaten Lyra's place as Mrs. Hawthorne either , though he didn't see the need to say that out loud . Naturally , Lyra had already figured that much out . Position … he means the lead surgeon role , doesn't he ? Lyra let out a sudden laugh and set down her knife and fork . " Relax . I won't hold her up for long . " 5/6 22:01 Chapter 16 He Made Her Breakfast ++ 2 Bonus She was about to be transferred anyway , and the role of Mrs. Hawthorne wasn't something she cared about anymore . None of those titles or ranks held any weight for her now . Once the conversation ended , Lyra got up and returned to the bedroom . Maxen stared at her back , tapping his fingertips absently against the table . His face was clouded , unreadable . He could tell something had changed in her recently . It was too deliberate and obvious . But then he reminded himself that Lyra still needed him . With that , he shoved a troubling thought from his mind and decided there was nothing more to consider . 6/6 Write your comment Tr Gifts