?Chapter 1464:


    When she finally stirred, night had already fallen.


    Outside, relentless rain hammered the roof, filling the world with a steady, rhythmic roar.


    “Awake?”


    A soft goldenmp glowed in the room, casting a gentle pool of light. The first thing Dani saw was Cedric sitting nearby, watching her quietly. She shut her eyes for a moment, then opened them again.


    “I’m hungry.”


    At her words, Cedric’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile. The icy edge that usually haunted his expression melted away.


    He slipped downstairs and soon returned with food. Dani took a few slow bites, washed it down with water, and burrowed back under the nket, letting the soothing sound of the rain lull her deeper intofort.


    For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to sink into silent reflection.


    Cedric set the food aside and stretched out beside her, gently gathering Dani into his arms.


    As rain drummed steadily on the windows, Dani patted his hand and murmured, “I’m alright now. You don’t have to be sad.”


    Cedric stayed silent, but in the darkness, his eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion, the weight of everything pressing quietly on his heart.


    Dani shifted, meeting his eyes before closing the distance and pressing her lips to his.


    Their kiss this time brimmed with warmth and affection, a world apart from the desperate, almost self-sacrificing way they clung to each other the night before.


    Cedric’s touch was unhurried, his hands moving with careful reverence as if determined to let Dani savor every second of closeness.


    When their bodies finally stilled, the world outside had changed—the rain had faded into a tranquil hush.


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    Sleep tugged at Dani, and she drifted in and out of Cedric’s arms, waking only to nibble a few more bites of food he offered her.


    Restlessness returned; she pushed herself upright, sitting cross-legged to face him.


    The position didn’tst—Cedric reached for her, his arms looping around her waist and tugging her effortlessly against his chest.


    She let him, sprawling back withzy abandon, then broke the silence with a soft question.


    “When did you find out?”


    Cedric understood instantly—she meant her aversion to blood.


    She continued, “I used to rely on tranquilizers, so most people never picked up on it.”


    Cedric simply answered, “A long time ago.”


    She tilted her head as she pressed on.


    “How long ago?”


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