Chapter 308 - Ex-Wife
Kaden turned into a tyrant.
Lina recalled the words that Isabelle once said about Kaden. They were enjoying morning tea when Isabelle revealed Kaden's business empire. Through a sly smile and a cunning atmosphere, he merged and acquired everything that was beneficial. A monopoly, Krystal said, but make it legal.
What could Lina do to a man who owned almost every sector in the world? Dabbling from technology to pharmaceuticals, how could one not fear him? Kaden was a tyrant who had everything. He was cruel and merciless to his competitors, spared no mercy to those who crossed his path, and stained his hands in blood.
A tyrant who was cooking her younger brother's bread.
"Damn, this is good," Milo grumbled under his breath the minute he bit into the toasted baguette. Lightly rubbed with garlic, topped with fresh tomatoes and herbs, toasted with truffle oil, the bread tasted divine, especially with the chicken soup.
Lina frowned to herself, lost in thought over what Isabelle and Krystal said to her. It would be wise, they reminded, to not fall for him again. With his love comes many enemies.
Lina furiously cleaned the countertops, deciding to do the dishes last. Suddenly, she heard the dishes clattering. Her head snapped up to see Kaden lifting a dirty pot. Before she could stop him, he turned on the water faucet, poured dish detergent into the sponge, and began to clean.
"What is so entertaining about those nightclubs?" Lina asked Milo, ignoring his compliment. She hated seeing the ghost of a smile on Kaden's face, so turned her back to him.
"The same joy you get out of drinking until 3am," Milo said, taking a gulp of his soup. His shoulders eased at the delightful and hearty taste that warmed him from inside out. To settle his nervous stomach, she even boiled ginger with the broth. Ever so considerate, his older sister was.
"I'm a grown adult, it's different," Lina told him. "I'm twenty-six and you're one year out of college. You're only twenty-three, Milo. You have your whole world ahead of you."
"Are you really going to lecture me when I'm eating? I'll get indigestion," Milo complained.
"Good."
Milo huffed, taking another bite out of the bread. He tried to not reveal how delightful this damn thing tasted. The outside had a slight crunch, but the insides were moist and soft.
"I have a lot to pick at you too, Lina," Milo said. "For example, why would you rather work as an art curator and director instead of being an actual artist. I've seen your paintings and—"
"I don't like to draw anymore."
Kaden's expression darkened. He'd never admit it. He always wondered if Lina picked up painting because, in her second life, he introduced the art to her. Or, did she ever look at the paintings he's made of her and wonder if she'd be able to do the same?
"Pity, you were always great with the brush," Milo wistfully sigh. "You see, this is why I don't want to grow up. Who wants to graduate out of college and work in a dead-end job for the next forty years of my life, barely having time off, and going home to family?"
"Humans need a routine to sustain themselves, if not, they will go insane," Lina said to Milo. "As long as you find a job you love, you'll never feel like you've worked a day in your life—"
"If you turn a hobby into a job, you'll grow to resent your own work and passion. Once my interest is gone, it'll just be a regular job," Milo grumbled. "I missed the medieval era where all I'd have to do is tend to my farmland and animals, then frequent pubs."
Lina snorted at his words. "Would you even last a day in your life with dirt under your nails?"
Milo quietly drank his soup.
"I have a plot of land twenty miles out of the city, perfect for farming, it's a small town," Kaden said, placing the last dirty dish on the rack. He approached the bickering siblings and rested a hand on the countertop. It just so happened, his hand was near Lina's waist, his arm barely wrapping around her.
Lina attempted to move, but realized she was inherently caged in by Kaden. Damn him. To her right hip was Kaden's hand. She stared at his powerful veins, coiling up his arm. He rolled up his sleeves to his elbow, revealing his toned and muscular forearm. When he leaned close, his hand clenched, his knuckles flexing.
"Why would you even need a plot of land to do farm work?" Milo asked in disbelief.
Lina could feel the heat and pressure of his body. His muscles were built on years of dedication and routine. A single water droplet trailed down his tanned skin, flowing to his fingertips. His nails were clean and cut, rounded so that it wouldn't hurt her insides.
"To keep my hands busy," Kaden deadpanned in a molten voice.
Lina jolted at the realization and quickly glanced away. What the hell was she thinking? Almost as if he could read her mind, Lina felt his heated gaze boring a hole through her face. He caught her staring.
"What? Does signing contracts not keep you occupied?"
"Not as much as the softness of soil on your fingertips."
Was it really soil Kaden was talking about?
Lina swallowed and glared up at him, hoping he wasn't going to drop innuendos here. Kaden was no longer looking at her. So, maybe she was the dirty-minded one. Leaning back, she felt his entire body stiffen.
Lina rested her lower back against his arm. Kaden clenched his jaw. His grip on the countertop turned white. She could hear his breathing grow low and dangerous. Ah, so she was not the only one.
"I can't imagine a man like you doing farm work," Milo scoffed, raising his head and tugging at his shirt. It was suddenly growing hot in here. He didn't know why.
"You'd be surprised what I like to do."
Lina seized control of every cell in her body for her jaw to not drop in disbelief. This man was insufferable.
"Just don't do my sister and I'd appreciate it," Milo deadpanned, dropping his spoon. He had finished the soup and bread.
Kaden narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glare crossing his face. He said nothing, but suddenly grabbed Lina's waist. If she continued to lean her delectable backside against him, he was going to bend her over this countertop. The audience could watch for all he cared.
"I made leftovers for dinner," Lina finally managed to say. "Don't forget to heat it up with fresh noodles."
"Where are you going?" Milo asked, his attention snapping to the possessive grip on her waist.
Lina shoved her way out of Kaden's grip and headed for the doorway. She grabbed her purse from the door entry table and slipped on her heels.
"I need to check in with an artist that hasn't been returning my calls after vandalizing my meeting room," Lina explained like it was no big deal.
"I'll go with you," Milo instantly said, shooting to his feet. Was he the only one not aware of the dangerous situations she loved to put herself in?
"Oh little brother, you flatter me," Lina retorted. "I've seen you fight. I'd rather not see you end up in a hospital again."
"You should've seen my opponent," Milo smirked. "He ended up in the emergency room."
"You were charged with attempted murder."
"Charged, but settled," Milo corrected her. "The most cowardly thing I've ever seen is someone filing for charges after losing a fight."
Milo gleaned at Kaden who was already approaching Lina, with the same worry on his face.
"Well, not any more cowardly than a man who waited five years to chase his ex-wife."
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