Thinking about it, it made sense. Blaze had never mentioned her to anyone. Even the butler didn't know they were married. To the outside world, Blaze was still a bachelor. That blank Marriage Certificate… it was probably just a chain, binding her in name only.
Cecilia's eyes narrowed slightly, and an inexplicable ache gripped her chest.
When she looked up again, her heart skipped a beat. Blaze was walking toward the staircase. Panic surged through her, and she tried to get up—but her legs had gone numb from squatting so long. She stumbled, landing awkwardly on the floor, right in Blaze's path.
Blaze's expression flickered for a moment, his brow arching as he paused at the top of the stairs. From Blair's angle, he conveniently blocked Cecilia from view.
Cecilia could feel his burning gaze on her. He must have realized she was eavesdropping. She lowered her head, silent, inching backward along the floor, still half-afraid he might lash out.
Blaze watched with a faint amusement as she slowly retreated toward the guest room. Finally, his voice broke the tension, soft and teasing.
"Enjoying the little sneak peek?"
Pressing her back against the door gave Cecilia a sliver of courage. She straightened her spine, clearing her throat to offer an excuse.
"I-I was just a little thirsty… wanted to get a glass of water. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."
The words barely left her lips before she regretted them. Blaze had personally handed her a mug before—her excuse sounded absurd.
"She's my mother's student. I had some private matters to handle with her," Blaze explained.
Cecilia froze, surprised that he'd said it himself. She stammered quietly, "I didn't mean it like that…"
Blaze raised a finger and lightly tapped her forehead.
The gesture carried so many meanings. When Cecilia was a child, Blaze had always cleaned up her messes. He never scolded her harshly; his anger softened into a gentle tap on her forehead. After they got engaged, the gesture gained a playful, teasing undertone…
"I—I'll go back to my room now!" Cecilia's cheeks flamed. She spun around, escaping into her room before her thoughts could run wild.
Outside, the sunset sank gradually behind thin clouds, scattering gentle amber light across the earth. A little later, Cecilia received a call from her assistant: Samantha's mother was still in the hospital, and she should visit.
After changing clothes, Cecilia went downstairs. Blaze and the other woman were gone—she had no idea when.
By the time she arrived at the hospital, it was evening. Before she even reached the ward, a raucous noise stopped her in her tracks. Someone had turned up the volume on a video—occasional shrieks of the host cut sharply through the otherwise quiet hallway, echoing with an almost painful clarity.
Cecilia froze, then pushed open the ward door.
"Mom… why are you back so soon…" The woman sitting on the bench trailed off as she saw Cecilia enter.
Cecilia glanced at the empty bed.
"Where's Dad?" she asked.
Fiona spark had just returned from the United States, her hair a wild cascade of colors, jingling with chaotic jewelry. She looked at Cecilia coldly, giving her a sharp glare, and went back to watching the video without answering.
Cecilia pressed her lips together, about to call the doctor, when she suddenly saw Samantha and a team of doctors pushing her father back into the ward. Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurried over to check on him.
"The patient mentioned feeling dizzy a few hours ago, so I arranged a CT scan. Don't worry, everything is fine," one of the doctors smiled reassuringly at Cecilia.
Relieved, Cecilia followed as they helped Peter Spark settle back into bed.
Samantha, however, was immediately on edge. Married to Peter Spark for nearly twenty years, she couldn't stand this girl—Cecilia refused to call her "Mom," clearly determined to provoke her. "What, is it only your father who matters to you? Can't even greet me when I get back?"
Cecilia, adjusting her father's blanket after he'd just been given a sedative, turned slowly and replied evenly, "You're back."
"Mom, don't bother with her. She's always like this—you know it," Fiona said, shutting off the video and slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Since Dad's resting, let's go grab something to eat."
Samantha shot Cecilia a sharp glance. "Have you had dinner? Come with us."
"I'm not hungry," Cecilia said coolly, pulling over a chair and sitting by the bedside.
Samantha ground her teeth in frustration. Who gave this girl the nerve to be so audacious? Riding on Peter Spark's support, she clearly didn't see them—the mother and daughter duo—as anything.
"If you're not hungry, then wait outside while we eat. Take your car keys and drive us to Country Bistro," Samantha said, voice sharp as a knife, her tone dripping with superiority.
Cecilia paused, curling her lips into a faint, disdainful smile. She didn't move, didn't even acknowledge her words.
"Didn't you hear me? I said drive us to South Country Bistro!" Samantha raised her voice, trying to assert control. "I gave the driver and assistant the day off. I just got back to the country and haven't picked up the car yet. Isn't it your duty as my daughter to drive me?"
Cecilia arched an eyebrow, her tone icy. "The taxi and subway are right outside. If you're really hungry, you're not going to starve here, are you?"
Fiona lost her cool. "How dare you speak to my mom like that!" She grabbed a bottle of water from her bag and flung it at Cecilia—but misjudged the aim, and it hit Peter Spark's fractured right foot with a thud. Cecilia gasped, startled.
"You're insane!" Cecilia leapt up, spreading her arms protectively over her father. A flash of anger sparked in her eyes. "If you're going to throw a tantrum, do it somewhere else! Don't disturb Dad's rest!"
Before she could react further, a large hand gently tugged at her sleeve. Cecilia looked back—Peter Spark was awake.
"Enough…" he croaked, weak but firm. His gaze swept the room. "You've all had a long day. Go get something to eat and rest. The doctors and nurses are here—I'm fine."
"You hear that? Dad said so!" Fiona beamed triumphantly at Cecilia.
"Since it's late, and I don't feel comfortable with your mom and Fiona out there alone, you should at least drive them…"
Cecilia had always tried to turn a blind eye to such favoritism, to ignore what she didn't like. After all, Peter Spark was the only family she had in this world. Even if she felt wronged, what could she do?
Suppressing her resentment, she eventually started the car, driving Samantha and Fiona to South Country Bistro.
She had no appetite, so she waited in the car while they ate. About an hour later, the mother and daughter returned.
Fiona immediately started planning the evening. "Mom, let's stay at Dad's North Corner Lake villa tonight. It has an amazing jacuzzi!"
"That villa is mortgaged," Cecilia interjected coldly from the driver's seat.
Samantha frowned, her crimson-dyed fingers tapping Cecilia's seat. "What? Why is it mortgaged? Everything was fine before."
"MAPLE CO. had some issues recently. All of Dad's properties were mortgaged—you didn't know?" Cecilia started the car.
Samantha was furious. Peter Spark had never involved her in business matters, claiming it was to leave her a tidy stake without any effort. But Samantha knew the truth: he was keeping all the real power and assets for Cecilia.
"We only heard Dad had a car accident. We didn't even finish the concert before rushing back," Fiona muttered, a bit grudgingly.
Cecilia glanced in the rearview mirror at the mother and daughter, a faint, almost pitying smile curling her lips.
After a short drive, she stopped under a tall office building. Pointing at a window several floors up, she explained, "This is the only apartment under Dad's name left. You'll stay here tonight."