Chapter 8 This Isn't Over

Tristan hesitated momentarily before responding, "It's nothing. You can wait for me outside."

Sensing his reluctance to discuss the matter further, Gianna quietly withdrew from the kitchen.

Shortly afterward, Tristan emerged carrying the final dish to the dining table. "Try it. Tell me what you think."

Gianna picked up a piece of the rich, glistening beef, savoring the aroma before taking a bite. The moment the flavors hit her tongue, her eyes widened in astonishment. "This is amazing!"

Tristan, who had been watching her reaction closely, finally relaxed, his usual composed demeanor giving way to a faint smile. "I'm glad you like it."

"Like it? I love it! I just didn't expect you to be this good at cooking." Gianna was genuinely surprised.

To her, Tristan seemed like someone who lived in a world of effortless luxury-residing in an elite part of the city, handling sky-high medical expenses as if they were pocket change.

A man like him cooking for himself? It didn't quite fit the image she had in mind.

Tristan was quiet for a moment before responding, "I learned it while studying abroad alone."

"I see." Gianna nodded in understanding. "Wasn't it hard? Balancing studies while taking care of yourself?"

"It was manageable, though I did spend a lot of time thinking about the people and things back home." Tristan paused, then asked, "And you? How have you been all these years?"

A flicker of sorrow passed through Gianna's eyes.

The memories came rushing back-the horrifying car accident, the way her father had tossed her and her grandmother aside like they meant nothing the moment her mother was gone.

Tristan noticed the change in her expression instantly. His brows furrowed, and he softened his tone. "I'm sorry. Did I bring up something painful?"

Gianna snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a small, practiced smile. "No, it's fine."

But Tristan didn't believe her. She might have been smiling, but the sadness in her eyes lingered.

He wanted Gianna to live peacefully, free from sorrow.

This was a promise Tristan had made to himself when he was seventeen.

...

The following morning adhered to their emerging routine: Tristan prepared breakfast before departing for work, leaving Gianna sleeping deeply.

Eventually, the persistent ringing of her phone roused her from slumber.

Already disoriented from being awakened abruptly, her expression darkened further upon recognizing the familiar number on her screen.

"Come home right now," demanded the angry voice of her father, Lachlan Lloyd, the moment she answered.

Gianna instantly became alert, her voice level yet underscored with bitter irony. "Home? Do I even have a home?"

A momentary silence fell on the other end of the connection, suggesting Lachlan hadn't anticipated such pointed resistance from his typically compliant daughter.

His composure quickly dissolved into renewed anger. "Don't play games with me! I told you to go to Mr. Brooks' house. Who gave you permission to run away?"

Gianna had believed herself numbed to Lachlan's coldness and cruelty over the years. Yet his accusatory questioning still pierced her emotional defenses.

She released a laugh tinged with self-mockery. "I did everything you asked, even compromising my dignity, but I didn't expect you to conspire with that director to deceive me. You never intended to save my grandmother. How dare you question me now? Have you forgotten? Everything you have today-your success, your wealth-it's all thanks to my mother and grandmother."

Back then, after Paulina had been dumped by her husband, she had worked tirelessly to build a modest fortune through her own determination.

Gianna's mother, upon reaching adulthood, had fallen in love with the impoverished Lachlan and leveraged her family's resources to establish his career.

A tragic car accident had claimed her life, yet Lachlan had displayed no visible grief. Instead, he had married his mistress and brought their daughter back home.

Gianna's stepmother, unable to tolerate Gianna's presence, had manipulated Lachlan into expelling both Gianna and Paulina from the household.

Upon hearing these painful truths, Lachlan erupted in fury. "Thanks to them? They were nothing but dead weight dragging me down! And now, because of you, your sister lost her golden opportunity. You'd better be prepared-this isn't over."